Letrozole Side effects-- throaty
Have been taking letrozole for about 4 months after DCIS (w/clear margins), and preventative radiation treatment. Seem to be free of noticeable side effects except it appears to cause a cough and a 'drippy' feeling in the back of my throat. I confirmed this by going off it for 2 weeks, when these symptoms disappeared. Has anyone else had cough, sore or scratchy throat. Found anything that helps? Thanks.
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miss344I have had a cough but attributed it to radiation SE since it was my left breast. Now I wonder because it might have started after getting on the letrozole. I mentioned it to my RO and she provided an order for a CT scan. Please keep me posted, as I know this post is a bit dated. Thanks!
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I'm pretty convinced letrozole is the culprit because the cough/scratchy throat corresponds exactly
to the timing of it. My doc has also listened to my lungs and they are clear. I'm sticking with it for now
unless it gets worse or keeps me up at night (which it doesn't right now…)
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My CT scan shows pneumonitis due to radiation, or, according to the report pneumonia is another possible cause. Not likely since I was never sick, except for the cough. I was put on Medrol—steroids for 5 days.
I find this whole thing disturbing because I registered my fear to my RO about my lungs before I even started radiation since they are my Achilles heel. I am also posting this study since it pertains to letrozole, and I do still wonder if that is the cause….
https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(23)03136-7/fulltext
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Thank you for posting that article, it is very interesting. I do remember them mentioning pneumonitis as a possible side effect of radiation — not sure if the likelihood was affected by number of treatments or size of the area. I hope the Medrol is effective for you ( I believe that is the standard treatment.) I still have the occasional throat-clearing drippy cough feel but it doesn't seem to be getting worse. I understand your feeling — you want to do everything you can to treat and prevent recurrence — the side effects can be worrisome but hopefully all resolves.
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I've been waking up in the middle of the night with a post nasal drip kind of feeling and just assumed I was coming down with something or my allergies were acting up… Didn't occur to me it could be the letrozole…
What I am really suffering with is the joint pain and tingling hands. My oncologist had me switch over to femara, said maybe the side effects will subside with the brand name drug instead of the generic. I'm skeptical…
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Please keep us posted about the switch. I hope it helps. My current concern with this drug is blood pressure. Mine is generally around 110/70 or less and yesterday at 6 month checkup with surgeon it was 140/90. I've never, ever had BP that high and so now of course i blame Letrozole.
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