Femara vs. Clomid

• Femara (letrozole) and Clomid (clomiphene) are fertility medications used for stimulating ovulation.
• Femara is an anti-estrogen drug typically used for treating postmenopausal women with breast cancer.
• Side effects of Femara and Clomid that are similar include nausea, vomiting, headache, and muscle aches or pains.
• Side effects of Femara that are different from Clomid include fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, chest pain, increased cholesterol levels, and decreased bone mineral density (which increases the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures).
• Side effects of Clomid that are different from Femara include ovarian enlargement, flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling), stomach discomfort, breast discomfort, blurred vision, abnormal heart beats, acne, allergic reactions, and uterine bleeding.

• Femara (letrozole) is an oral, anti-estrogen drug that is used for treating postmenopausal women with breast cancer. The growth of some breast cancers in postmenopausal women is promoted by estrogens that circulate in the blood, and the adrenal glands are the main source of these circulating estrogens. Femara inhibits the enzyme in the adrenal glands (aromatase) that produces the estrogens, estradiol and estrone.
• Clomid (clomiphene) is an oral medication used for stimulating ovulation. Clomid is prescribed to stimulate ovulation in women with ovulatory dysfunction who are not pregnant, do not have abnormal bleeding or ovarian cysts, and have normal liver function. It binds to estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovary, endometrium, vagina, and cervix. It causes production of hormones (gonadotropins) by the pituitary, which stimulates ovulation.

Femara side effects

The most common side effects with letrozole are:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• fatigue,
• headache,
• muscle aches,
• diarrhea,
• constipation, and
• chest pain.

Cholesterol levels may increase during letrozole therapy. Cholesterol levels should be monitored and some patients may require treatment for high cholesterol levels. Letrozole decreases bone mineral density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Clomid side effects

The most common side effects of clomiphene are:

• ovarian enlargement,
• flushing,
• stomach discomfort,
• breast discomfort,
• blurred vision,
• nausea, and
• vomiting.

Other important side effects include

• abnormal heart beats,
• acne,
• allergic reactions,
• headaches,
• uterine bleeding,
• back pain, and
• muscle pain.

Femara dosage

• The recommended dose is 2.5 mg once daily with or without food. Patients with severe liver impairment should receive 2.5 mg every other day.

Clomid dosage

• The recommended dose is 50 to 100 mg orally for 5 days. The initial dose is 50 mg which may be increased to 100 mg if there is no response. Dosage may be repeated as early as 30 days after the previous treatment.

Femara drug interactions

• Tamoxifen reduces blood levels of letrozole when both drugs are administered together.
• However, in clinical studies the benefit of letrozole was not reduced when administered immediately after tamoxifen. Letrozole is an anti-estrogen drug. Therefore, estrogen containing products counteract the effect of letrozole.

Clomid drug interactions

• No drug interactions are listed in the prescribing information.

Femara

• Letrozole damages the fetus. It should not be taken by pregnant women. It is not known if letrozole is secreted into breast milk.

Clomid

• Clomiphene should not be taken by pregnant women since it does not offer any benefit to pregnant women.
• It is not known whether clomiphene is excreted into breast milk. It may reduce lactation in some women.