Health Guides
Letrozole Price: Generic Letrozole 2.5 mg, Dosing and Side Effects
What affects the letrozole price, why generic letrozole 2.5 mg costs less than the brand, and how to take it safely after breast cancer treatment.
- Quality generic medicines
- Prescription required
- Ships to the USA, UK, Canada & Europe
If you have been prescribed letrozole after treatment for breast cancer, the letrozole price matters because this tablet is usually taken every day for several years. Generic letrozole 2.5 mg, the generic for Femara, contains the same active ingredient and usually costs much less than the original brand. This guide explains what letrozole does, how to take it, the side effects to watch for, and what changes the price.
Letrozole is a specialist medicine that is started by a cancer doctor. This guide is general information and does not replace the advice of your own care team.
Key takeaways
- Letrozole 2.5 mg is used for hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer in women who have been through the menopause.
- The usual dose is one 2.5 mg tablet once a day, often for around five years, as decided by your cancer doctor.
- Common side effects include hot flushes, joint pain and tiredness. Letrozole can also thin the bones, so bone checks are part of care.
- It is not for women who have not been through the menopause, or for anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Generic letrozole has the same active ingredient as the brand, which is why the letrozole price for generic tablets is usually lower.
- A valid prescription is required for every order of a prescription medicine.
What is generic letrozole used for?
Letrozole belongs to a group of medicines called aromatase inhibitors. After the menopause, the ovaries stop making most of the body’s oestrogen. A small amount is still made in other tissues, such as body fat, by an enzyme called aromatase. Letrozole blocks this enzyme, so the level of oestrogen in the body falls.
Some breast cancers need oestrogen to grow. These are called hormone-receptor-positive (or oestrogen-receptor-positive) cancers. Lowering oestrogen helps to slow or stop their growth. Doctors prescribe letrozole for postmenopausal women in several situations:
- After surgery for early breast cancer, to lower the chance of the cancer coming back. This is often called adjuvant treatment.
- After a course of tamoxifen, as extended treatment in some women.
- For advanced breast cancer that has spread, where it can help control the disease.
If you are trying to decide between aromatase inhibitors, or want to know why your doctor chose one over another, read our guide to anastrozole vs letrozole.
How to take letrozole 2.5 mg
The usual dose is one 2.5 mg tablet once a day. You can take it with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Try to take it at about the same time each day so it becomes part of your routine.
For early breast cancer, treatment usually lasts around five years, although your doctor may advise a shorter or longer course depending on your situation. For advanced breast cancer, letrozole is usually continued for as long as it keeps working. Do not stop taking it without talking to your cancer doctor, even if you feel well or the side effects are bothering you. There are often ways to manage side effects.
- If you miss a dose: take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next one. Never take two doses together to make up.
- If you take too much: contact your doctor or get medical help straight away.
Safety: who should not take letrozole
Letrozole is only for women whose menopause is complete. It should not be taken by:
- Women who have not been through the menopause, unless a specialist is using it alongside other treatment that switches off the ovaries. In premenopausal women the ovaries still make oestrogen, so letrozole alone does not work in the same way.
- Anyone who is pregnant or may become pregnant, because it may harm an unborn baby. If your menopause status is unclear, your doctor may check it with blood tests and advise on contraception.
- Women who are breastfeeding.
- Anyone allergic to letrozole or any of the tablet’s ingredients.
Tell your doctor if you have severe liver or kidney problems, osteoporosis or a history of fractures, or high cholesterol, as extra checks may be needed.
Interactions to know about
- Oestrogen-containing products, such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT), some vaginal creams or pessaries, and some herbal products sold for menopause symptoms, can work against letrozole. Avoid them unless your cancer doctor has agreed.
- Tamoxifen is not normally taken at the same time as letrozole, because it can lower letrozole levels. The two may be used one after the other.
Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine and supplement you take, including those you buy from a shop.
Side effects
Most side effects come from the lower oestrogen level. Common ones include:
- hot flushes and sweating
- joint pain or stiffness, and muscle aches
- tiredness, headache and dizziness
- feeling sick, low mood or trouble sleeping
- vaginal dryness and hair thinning
- a rise in cholesterol
If you feel dizzy or very tired, do not drive or use machines until you know how the tablet affects you.
Bone health
Oestrogen helps to keep bones strong, so lowering it with letrozole can cause bone thinning and a higher chance of fractures over time. Your doctor will usually arrange a bone density scan before or soon after you start, and repeat it during treatment. They may advise calcium and vitamin D, regular weight-bearing exercise, and sometimes a medicine to protect your bones. Only take calcium or vitamin D supplements in the amounts your doctor recommends.
When to get medical help
Contact your doctor promptly, or get urgent help, if you have chest pain, sudden breathlessness, pain or swelling in one leg, signs of a stroke, a serious skin rash, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or swelling of the face or throat. Also tell your doctor about any new bone pain, a fall or a suspected fracture.
Letrozole price: why generic costs less
Generic letrozole contains the same active ingredient, in the same 2.5 mg strength, as the original brand. The company making the generic does not have to repeat the long and costly research programme behind the first version of the medicine. Several manufacturers also make letrozole, and competition between them keeps the letrozole price lower.
Because treatment usually lasts years rather than weeks, these savings add up. A manageable cost makes it easier to keep taking the tablet every day without gaps, which is important for how well it works.
What affects the letrozole price?
Not every pack costs the same. These are the main factors:
| Factor | How it changes the price | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Branded vs generic | Generic packs are usually much cheaper than the original brand. | The active ingredient (letrozole) and strength on the label. |
| Pack size | Larger packs, or ordering several packs at once, often work out cheaper per tablet. | Only order the quantity your prescription covers. |
| Strength | Letrozole is usually supplied as 2.5 mg tablets, so price differences mostly come from pack size and maker. | The pack says 2.5 mg and matches your prescription. |
| Delivery | Shipping cost and timing vary by destination. | Delivery details shown before you pay. |
The most useful way to compare the letrozole price is cost per month of treatment. Since the dose is one tablet a day, that is simply the price of 30 tablets.
Letzol-Sure 2.5: generic letrozole 2.5 mg tablets
At RxPillTab we stock Letzol-Sure 2.5 (Letrozole 2.5 mg Tablets). Each tablet contains 2.5 mg of letrozole, the same active ingredient and strength as the original brand. It is a generic for Femara, taken once a day as prescribed.
You can see other breast cancer and cancer-related medicines on our oncology medicines page.
How to buy generic letrozole online safely
When you buy medicine online, take the same care you would anywhere else. These steps help:
- Have a valid prescription. A valid prescription is required for every order of a prescription medicine, and letrozole always needs one from your doctor.
- Check the strength. Make sure the product is letrozole 2.5 mg and matches what your prescriber has written.
- Check the pack and quantity. Work out how many tablets you need for the months ahead, and read the patient leaflet when it arrives.
- Plan for delivery time. Orders are shipped worldwide by EMS or registered mail in discreet packaging. Order before you run low so you do not miss doses. Our how to order page explains each step.
- Tell your doctor. Let your cancer team know where your tablets come from, keep your follow-up and bone checks, and report any side effects.
For more on how to buy generic letrozole online and other long-term medicines, including customs rules for your country, see our guide to buying generic medicines online. If you have a question about an order, please contact us.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the letrozole price lower for generic tablets?
Generic letrozole has the same active ingredient and strength as the brand, but the maker does not repeat the original research, and several companies compete. This keeps the letrozole price lower. Pack size and delivery costs also affect what you pay.
Is generic letrozole the same as Femara?
Generic letrozole contains the same active ingredient, letrozole 2.5 mg, as Femara. The tablet may look different and contain different inactive ingredients, such as colourings or fillers. If you have an allergy to any ingredient, check the leaflet or ask your pharmacist.
How long will I need to take letrozole?
For early breast cancer, many women take it for around five years, but your doctor may recommend a different length. For advanced breast cancer it is usually continued for as long as it is working. Do not stop without speaking to your cancer doctor.
Can letrozole be taken before the menopause?
Not on its own. Letrozole is for women who have been through the menopause. In some cases a specialist may use it together with treatment that switches off the ovaries, but this is a decision for your cancer team.
What can I do about joint pain on letrozole?
Joint pain and stiffness are common. Gentle regular exercise, staying active and simple pain relief agreed with your doctor often help. If the pain is severe, your doctor may suggest a break or a switch to another medicine. Do not stop on your own.
Do I need a prescription to buy letrozole online?
Yes. A valid prescription is required for every order of a prescription medicine. You should also stay under the care of your doctor, with regular check-ups and bone health reviews.
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not replace professional advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting any medicine. Read our full medical disclaimer.
Medicines mentioned in this guide
All medicines are supplied only against a valid prescription. Prices shown are for the smallest pack.
About this guide
Written by the rxptteam8. We base our guides on official sources such as the NHS, the US FDA, the EMA and MedlinePlus, and we update them when guidance changes. Last updated .