Femara (letrozole) is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain types of early and advanced breast cancer. The drug is for use in some females* who have gone through menopause.
Femara comes as an oral tablet. It belongs to a class of drugs called aromatase inhibitors.
The generic form of Femara is called letrozole.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
Dosage summary
The chart below summarizes Femara’s dosage. Milligrams are abbreviated as “mg.” Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you.
| Femara form | Femara strength | Typical dosage |
| oral tablet | 2.5 mg | 2.5 mg per day |
This article describes typical dosages for Femara provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Femara, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
For specific information about the dosage of Femara, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Femara, see this article.
The dosage of Femara is the same for all the types of breast cancer the drug treats. You take one tablet by mouth every day. You can take Femara with or without food.
Femara form
Femara comes as an oral tablet.
Femara strength
Femara comes in one strength: 2.5 milligrams (mg).
Typical dosage
The following information describes the dosage that’s commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Femara dosage for all breast cancer uses
The typical dosage of Femara for all breast cancer uses is 2.5 mg per day.
Long-term use
Femara is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Femara is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
If your doctor has prescribed Femara, you may have questions. Below are some common questions about Femara.
What’s the recommended dosage of Femara for fertility treatment?
The recommended dosage of Femara for fertility treatment is 2.5 milligrams (mg) daily for 5 days. Sometimes 5 mg or 7.5 mg may be prescribed.
It’s important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Femara for fertility treatment. However, the drug is sometimes used off-label for this purpose. Off-label means prescribing a drug in a way that the FDA hasn’t approved.
Femara can be used off-label for fertility treatment when there’s a problem with ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovaries). The drug works to stimulate ovulation. This is called ovulation induction. Femara can also be used when the cause of the fertility problem isn’t known.
If you’d like to learn more about Femara and fertility treatment, talk with your doctor.
What’s the Femara dosage for infertility?
The standard dosage of Femara for infertility is 2.5 mg daily for 5 days. Infertility means not being able to become pregnant or make someone pregnant. The use of Femara for this purpose is considered off-label. For more about the Femara dosage for fertility treatment and off-label use, see the question above.
Is there a typical Femara dosage for treating polycystic ovary syndrome?
The typical dosage of Femara for infertility due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is 2.5 mg daily for 5 days.
PCOS is a disorder that can cause problems with hormone levels, periods, and ovarian cysts. Sometimes PCOS affects ovulation, which can make it difficult to get pregnant. Femara can be used off-label to stimulate ovulation in people with PCOS. For more about the Femara dosage for fertility treatment and off-label use, see “What’s the recommended dosage of Femara for fertility treatment?” above.
What dosage of Femara would my doctor prescribe for gynecomastia?
Your doctor would likely not prescribe Femara for gynecomastia. This is because the FDA has not approved the drug to treat the condition. With gynecomastia, males* develop breasts due to hormone changes. The condition is sometimes referred to as “gyno.” If you’re interested in treatment for gynecomastia, talk with your doctor.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the term “male” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Femara dosage.
Dosage adjustments
If you have severe liver problems, such as cirrhosis, your doctor may decrease how often you take Femara.
Femara comes as an oral tablet that you swallow. You can take your dose with food or without.
If you miss a dose of Femara, take it as soon as you remember.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
It’s important that you don’t use more Femara than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.
It’s not known what symptoms may occur with an overdose of Femara.
If you take more than the recommended amount of Femara
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Femara. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Femara for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Femara without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Femara that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Femara. These additional articles might be helpful to you:
- More about Femara. For information about other aspects of Femara, refer to this article.
- Side effects. To learn about side effects of Femara, see this article. You can also look at the Femara prescribing information.
- Details about breast cancer. For more information about your condition, see our breast cancer hub, as well as our list of breast cancer articles.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
