Femistra 1 mg Tablet

What is Femistra 1 mg?

Femistra 1 mg tablet is an anti-cancer medicine. It contains Anastrozole 1 mg, a type of aromatase inhibitor. It’s used in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

This tablet helps by reducing the level of estrogen hormone in the body. Breast cancer cells grow faster with estrogen, lowering it can slow or stop cancer’s growth.

It is usually used as part of long-term treatment, either alone or after surgery, radiation, or other medicines. Sometimes doctors also give it after tamoxifen therapy.

How Femistra Works

1. Anastrozole blocks an enzyme called aromatase. An enzyme involved in the production of estrogen.
2. In postmenopausal women, estrogen is mostly made by converting androgens into estrogens using this enzyme. When this process is blocked, estrogen levels drop.
3. And with low estrogen, the cancer cells that depend on it begin to shrink or stop growing. So it works slow but steady.

Uses of Femistra Tablet

• Breast cancer (hormone receptor-positive).
• Advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
• Maintenance therapy after initial treatments.
• Used when cancer has come back.
• Doctors may also recommend it to some women as preventive therapy if they are at high risk of breast cancer.

Dosage and How to Take

• Take 1 tablet once daily (same time each day).
• Can be taken with or without food.
• Take it with water. Don’t chew or break.
• Follow the duration your doctor tells. Some patients take it for 2 to 5 years or even longer.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for the next one, skip the missed dose. Do not double up.

Warnings and Precautions

• Pregnancy & breastfeeding: It is only for women who have acheived menopause and are not pregnant.
• Kidney or liver problems: Get test regularly for enzymes.
• Bone health: Long-term use may cause bone thinning or osteoporosis.
• Heart health: Tell your doctor if you’ve had any heart disease.
• Children & Men: This medicine is only for postmenopausal women.

Side Effects

• Most people tolerate it well. But some may feel:
• Hot flashes
• Weakness or tiredness
• Joint or muscle pain
• Bone thinning (osteoporosis)
• Nausea or mild stomach upset
• Headache
• Mood swings

If any side effect gets worse or lasts long, contact your doctor. Rare but serious: Bone fractures, liver issues, allergic reactions. Seek help if you get severe joint pain, yellow eyes, swelling, or chest pain.

Monitoring and Interactions

• Get bone density checked regulalry.
• Doctor prescribe blood test like LFT and KFT to monitor en enzymes in the kidney and liver.

Share about your current prescription with your doctor.

Storage Info

• Store below 30°C, away from sunlight and moisture.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Don’t use expired tablets. Check the packaging date.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Is Femistra a chemotherapy drug?
No, it’s hormonal therapy, not chemotherapy.

Can it be used during periods?
No. It is only for postmenopausal women only.

How long I need take it?
It varies. Many women take it for 5 years, sometimes longer.

Does it cause hair loss?
Very rarely. If it does, it’s usually mild.