Are musculoskeletal problems common with Femara?
Femara, one of three aromatase inhibitors approved for metastatic breast cancer, provides most of the bodys estrogen in the postmenopausal woman by stimulating androgens to make estrogen through the enzyme aromatase. Inhibiting this enzyme drops the already low level of estrogen in the body to almost nothing. That change makes a big difference to any tissue that responds to estrogen. In this case the tissue of interest is microscopic breast cancer cells. Of the three drugs, Femara and Aromasin seem to be a little more potent than Arimidex. About 5% of women who take these drugs will develop a musculoskeletal syndrome of joint and muscle pain, which are usually not severe nor dangerous. In rare cases the drugs may cause nausea and vomiting or hot flashes. In looking at hormone treatment, many women start out premenopausal but can be pushed into perimenopause. Yes, any disturbance to the menstrual cycle that causes a change in the hormone profile, by chemotherapy or hormone therapy, can
