Anyone using Femara/Letrozole?

mandalinn25 · July 2011

I just got back from IUI #2, I asked the doctor if I could move to injects instead of doing clomid next time if it doesn't work. He suggested using Femara instead. I know it is a breast cancer drug, with the off label use for infertility but really know nothing else about it. What have your experiences been on it? Any s/e's, how is the cost, etc?

Thanks for any information. Hopefully I won't have to use it because this IUI worked, but you have to think ahead since once AF shows it all happens so quick.

jessican08 · July 2011

Femara worked great for me. I did 2.5 mg. for IUI 1, had 2 follies, did 2.5 mg. for IUI 2 and had 1 follie, did 5 mg. for IUI 3 and had 2 follies.

My Femara + injectible cycles I was on 5 mg. of Femara and had 3 follies for IUIs 4 & 5 and had 3 (maybe 4) on IUI 6.

The only s/e I had was a headache for the first day or two.

My cost is just my co-pay ($20). Just make sure you ask for the generic since it's available now otherwise it's going to be more expensive.

ETA: Got my follie counts wrong.

keelmic · July 2011

Femara is more expensive than clomid. However, they used to have a major printable coupon on their website and I have also heard that a generic version has recently come out.

I really didn't have any side effects from Femara (clomid made me a crazy emotional wreck). Femara worked as well as clomid did for me, in regards to ovulation.

We tried 3 rounds of femara before moving on to injects. While we were on femara + IUI, my RE told us we had a 10% chance of conceiving.

hootie123 · July 2011

I used it for two cycles and liked it much better than Clomid (which thinned my lining - Femara did not). I think there is now a generic version out which is cheaper - if you are OOP I have seen it on the med donation list (I actually still have some left that I plan on donating at some point).

Hopefully your IUI worked and you won't need it though!

mandalinn25 · July 2011

Thanks everyone. Headaches I can deal with.....the freaking crazy bitchiness, not so much. LOL!

:):) Hopefully I won't need it, but it is nice to know it seems like a good substitute.

hunterjumper102 · July 2011

Femara is pretty much the same a Clomid but usually with less s/e. I have taken Femara 2.5mg for three cycles now with usually two mature follies each time. I have always been given the generic for it. I know that they have a Femara Cares program on the Femara website where it gives you a "card" that you print out and give to the pharmacist for people that are OOP. Something to look into. GL

genmalone · July 2011

I'm doing Femara + Gonal-F this cycle. This will be my 2nd time using Femara. I agree with the PPs that I had less s/e than Clomid. I think with my copay ( and I have no IF coverage of any kind) it was $30-40. And for me it worked alot better.

Good luck!

I am Marla Singer · July 2011

I took it last cycle and I did ovulate- but it took a while- look at my chart. This cycle I did a combo of Femara(7.5) and Menopur(150iu). I responded perfectly!!! As you know IUI is today- in fact we are in the waiting room right now waiting for DH's sample to be washed.

ukcats27 · July 2011

I took it for my first IUI in April. The only side effect I had was hot flashes. I took it while on vacation and I never felt anything else other than an occasional hot flash. For my IUI I had 3 follies measuring 16-22 mm from the Femara. I also used the coupon the PPs have mentioned. Good luck!

LindzK · July 2011

I am Marla Singer:
I took it last cycle and I did ovulate- but it took a while- look at my chart. This cycle I did a combo of Femara(7.5) and Menopur(150iu). I responded perfectly!!! As you know IUI is today- in fact we are in the waiting room right now waiting for DH's sample to be washed.

Good Luck Marla!

I did 2.5mg 1st month and 5mg 2nd month. I got one follie both times. I did NOT respond to Clomid.

kelnyc · July 2011

This is my 5th cycle using femara and I had 1 or 2 good follies each cycle, except the last one when it looked like I was going to have 5! Thankfully, only 3 fully matured, but still no BFP. I do get headaches as well, but nothing major.

I'd also like to add that femara and clomid are NOT "pretty much the same". They work in completely different ways, so it is importnant to know the difference.

https://www.wdxcyber.com/debate-clomid-versus-femara.html

pulga131 · July 2011

I have yet to experience any of these fun drugs all of the 3T girls are taking except for Lupron. But I just wanted to wish you luck and hope that you don't need it after all.

mpayne · July 2011

I used femara fter clomid gave me cysts. I was on it for 4 months.The first month, I had a follicle but it wasn't mature, the next month I had an 18.3 follie and was able to take a trigger shot and the 3rd month, Something happened with my pills (might have been user error, I was really busy at work and might have forgotten to take one, even though I swear that wasn't the case) either way the 3rd cycle was a TOTAL bust and I didn't even O then this past cycle I did everything right and still didn't O. However, I was on 2.5 mg the entire time. I have never used it with IUI, BUT I was told that the main differences between clomid and femara is that clomid will give you numerous follies but Femara is supposed to give you 1-2 (max) mature follies. As for side effects, for me, the femara was a lot more forgiving. I can't help you with insurance since I am lucky enough to have decent coverage but I can tell you that there were coupons out there but I can't remember where a girlfriend of mine got them for me. I will see if she can find them, and then I will send it your way.

mpayne · July 2011

Of course after I post the message, I find the site. Here you go, I hope this helps you. GL.

Here is the website where you can go and they will give you a free month of femara to try. You just have to have your Dr. fill out the form and it will actually end up being like a 3 month supply.
https://www.femara.com/index.jsp?site=PF004191&source=01030&irmasrc=FEMWB...

JMay · July 2011

I never responded on Clomid, but my ovaries big, puffy loved Femara. I had no side effects either, other than feeling like a sane, rational person. It was awesome that way. I was using a coupon and getting the Femara for $10 OOP, but that expired and now I'm being charged $214 for 10 pills (1 cycle, 5mg/day)

You can also trigger the Femara if needed, before the IUI. I just did TI so didn't use the trigger. From what I understand though, Femara works like Clomid in that it gets you to O, but "tricks" different hormones in order to make that happen. It would be a great, and somewhat easy option in comparison to injects - but FWIW, I hope this IUI worked and you won't need to consider it! GL!

kathrynlo · July 2011

My first cycle I was on Femara 5mg cd 3-7 and I was slow to respond. So they bumped me up to 7.5mg cd 3-7 for past 3 cycles and it has worked great. I have had 2 mature follies each time (and it even got my BFP last time). My s/e were minimal but for one cycle they were intense. Mainly just headaches and hot flashes.

I hope you won't need to move to Femara! GL!

Trish11278 · July 2011

I just started Femara today. This is my first cycle on it as well. My RE wants me also to try this before starting injections. It seems that our RE's think alike. So far, today I have a slight headache but nothing that I have to take something for it. I have heard that it has a lot less s/e and risks than clomid but acts the same way. I hope you don't need it and IUI#2 is a success for you!

machole513 · July 2011

I also just started Femara today 2 pills 2,5 mg cd 3-7.. so far so good but its just th first day. My RE said it was a better option for me than Clomid..hopefully it will make me O because that is wat the probem has been for us. G/L

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