Trouble TTC

Letrozole

who has taken clomid and letrozole??

I didn't have any luck with clomid but I read that letrozole can cause major birth defects..??

Is letrozole stronger drug than clomid?

Married August 27, 2011
TTC Since September 2010
Ultrasound found PCOS July 2012
Started Clomid January 2013
Last Clomid dose 150mg April
No Ovulation on Clomid
Ultrasound in a week then going to try letrozole

Re: Letrozole

  • MrsM507MrsM507 member

    My RE said that it could cause birth defects if taken WHILE pregnant. But with a half life of 2-4 days, you are good to go by conception.

     

    ETA: I asked because of the "Do not take if pregnant or trying to become pregnant" warning on the bottle. Freaked me out at first!

    TTC#2 Since July 2011
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    12-24-2012 : Laparoscopy, Softball sized cyst/endo/scar tissue removed.
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  • Half life of letrozole/Femara is very short and when taken properly, the risks are the same as natural birth defects, meaning the defects that do happen can't be accurately attributed to Femara because they're not happening at a higher rate.

    So the defect happened naturally and not related to Femara. But, like PP said, if taken DURING pregnancy it is dangerous. It is technically a breast cancer drug and ironically says on the Rx, do no take if pregnant or trying to become pregnant.



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    January 10, 2013: Lap removed paratubal cyst and Stage 2 Endometriosis. 
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  • EIK2013EIK2013 member

    imagesueann911:
    Half life of letrozole/Femara is very short and when taken properly, the risks are the same as natural birth defects, meaning the defects that do happen can't be accurately attributed to Femara because they're not happening at a higher rate. So the defect happened naturally and not related to Femara. But, like PP said, if taken DURING pregnancy it is dangerous. It is technically a breast cancer drug and ironically says on the Rx, do no take if pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

    This has nothing related to the post, but I absolutely love the picture in your siggy lol....Sheldon and the Big Bang Theory are my favorite!  Best show and best TV character ever :) 

    Me: 27, DH: 29*** TTC since November 2011 *** Dx with PCOS in September 2012 
    ***September 2012: IUI #1 = BFN*** 
     ***October 2012: IUI #2 = cancelled due to not responding to meds ***
     ***February 2013: IUI #3 - BFN ***
     *** April 2013: Gonal-f, HCG Trigger and TI = BFN*** 
     ***May/June 2013: TAKING A BREAK.***
    ***July 2013: Gonal-f, Trigger and TI = BFN***
    ***August 2013: Gonal-f, Trigger and TI = Cancelled due to over-stimulating***
    ***September/October 2013: Fermara, Gonal-f, Trigger and TI = BFP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beta #1: 65, Beta #2: 210!!!!!!***




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  • I took clomid and just switched to letrozole (aka femara) today.

    my doc said some of her patients don't respond to clomid, but do very well on femara.

    good luck, hope it works!

    TTC #1 since April 2012 Image and video hosting by TinyPic Image and video hosting by TinyPic
  • I've only taken femara because my ovaries already have cysts so clomid would increase them. Like PP said, the half life is much less with femara/letrozole. I know on my prescription bottle it says not even to handle if you are pregnant. I don't know if it is stronger than clomid, but it doesn't cause the lining issues and I believe (somebody tell me if I'm wrong!) you can do it for more than a limited number of cycles like clomid.
    BFP #2 2/3/14  | EDD 10/16/14
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      | Second U/S 2/24 TRIPLETS!!!

  • imageRachC624:
    I've only taken femara because my ovaries already have cysts so clomid would increase them. Like PP said, the half life is much less with femara/letrozole. I know on my prescription bottle it says not even to handle if you are pregnant. I don't know if it is stronger than clomid, but it doesn't cause the lining issues and I believe (somebody tell me if I'm wrong!) you can do it for more than a limited number of cycles like clomid.

    what is half life? 

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  • imagelorirachel:

    imageRachC624:
    I've only taken femara because my ovaries already have cysts so clomid would increase them. Like PP said, the half life is much less with femara/letrozole. I know on my prescription bottle it says not even to handle if you are pregnant. I don't know if it is stronger than clomid, but it doesn't cause the lining issues and I believe (somebody tell me if I'm wrong!) you can do it for more than a limited number of cycles like clomid.

    what is half life? 

    Um, every day (or however they are describing it) 1/2 of the amount of the drug is out of your system. So with Femara, it is out of your system (according to google) in 2 days. I know they use it a a lot in science (half life of radiation and those things.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half-life if that helps? It's all figured out using exponential decay :)

    BFP #2 2/3/14  | EDD 10/16/14
    First U/S 2/10 Possible TWINS!
      | Second U/S 2/24 TRIPLETS!!!

  • From what I have understood, as far as response, Clomid tends to be "stronger" than Letrozole. I say this because Letrozole doesn't have the thin lining risk, not as much of the ovarian cyst risk and also not the risk of high order multiples like Clomid does. As far as the birth defects, that is if taken during pregnancy, it is a Category X drug. I have never taken Clomid but with Femara I have had 2-3 follicles each time.
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