Understanding What is a Letoval Tablet?

October 6, 2025 •

2 min read

Letoval, a medication containing the active ingredient letrozole, is an aromatase inhibitor primarily used for treating hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is one of several important tools in the medical arsenal for cancer treatment, acting by significantly lowering the body's estrogen levels.

Quick Summary

Letoval is a prescription medication with the active ingredient letrozole, primarily prescribed to postmenopausal women to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancer. It functions as an aromatase inhibitor, reducing estrogen levels in the body to slow or halt cancer cell growth. The drug is also used for certain infertility treatments.

Key Points

Active Ingredient: Letoval contains letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor that lowers estrogen levels.
Primary Use: Treats hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, including adjuvant and advanced therapy.
Mechanism of Action: Blocks the aromatase enzyme, preventing estrogen synthesis and inhibiting cancer cell growth.
Additional Use: Can be used off-label to induce ovulation for infertility in some women.
Key Side Effects: Common effects include hot flashes and joint pain. Increased risk of osteoporosis and high cholesterol with long-term use.
Contraindications: Should not be used by premenopausal, pregnant, or breastfeeding women, or those with severe liver disease or hypersensitivity to letrozole.
Medical Supervision: Requires monitoring due to potential side effects and interactions.

What is Letoval and how does it work?

Letoval, containing letrozole, is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor primarily used in postmenopausal women. In this group, estrogen, which can stimulate certain breast cancer growth, is mainly produced in fatty tissues via the aromatase enzyme. Letoval inhibits this enzyme, significantly lowering estrogen levels, which can slow or stop the growth of hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells. This mechanism differs from SERMs like tamoxifen, which block estrogen receptors rather than preventing estrogen production.

Medical uses of Letoval

Letoval's main application is in breast cancer treatment for postmenopausal women:

Breast Cancer Treatment

Adjuvant Therapy: Used after initial treatment for early-stage hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer to lower recurrence risk. Treatment can last for five or more years.
Extended Adjuvant Therapy: May be used after five years of tamoxifen therapy to further reduce recurrence.
Advanced or Metastatic Breast Cancer: A first-line treatment to slow or stop the progression of advanced disease.
Neoadjuvant Therapy: Can be used before surgery to shrink tumors.

Infertility Treatment

Letrozole has an off-label use for treating anovulatory infertility in premenopausal women. By lowering estrogen temporarily, it increases FSH and LH, stimulating ovulation. This use may be restricted in some areas and requires medical supervision.

Key considerations and side effects

Letoval can cause side effects related to reduced estrogen levels.

Common side effects

Hot flashes, night sweats
Joint, muscle, and bone pain
Fatigue and weakness
Headaches and dizziness
Increased sweating
Nausea and gastrointestinal issues
Swelling

Potentially serious side effects

Osteoporosis: Reduced bone density increases fracture risk. Bone density monitoring may be needed.
Cardiovascular Issues: Possible increased risk of high cholesterol and heart problems.
Liver Problems: Patients with liver disease may need dose adjustments.
Vision Problems: Rarely, vision changes may occur.

Letoval vs. Tamoxifen: A comparison


Feature	Letoval (Letrozole)	Tamoxifen
Drug Class	Aromatase Inhibitor	SERM
Mechanism	Blocks estrogen production	Blocks estrogen receptors
Target Population	Primarily postmenopausal women	Premenopausal and postmenopausal women
Side Effects	Increased risk of osteoporosis, joint pain	Increased risk of uterine cancer, blood clots
Administration	Oral tablet, once daily	Oral tablet, once daily
Drug Interactions	Reduced efficacy with tamoxifen or estrogen	May have reduced efficacy with letrozole

Dosage and Administration

Letoval is usually taken as an oral tablet once daily, with or without food, preferably at a consistent time. Tablets should be swallowed whole. Dosage and duration are determined by a healthcare provider.

Patient guidance

Do not stop Letoval without consulting your doctor.
Report all side effects.
Monitor bone health and consider supplements if recommended.
Watch for signs of heart problems.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusion

Letoval, containing letrozole, is a key treatment for hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women by inhibiting estrogen production. It is also used off-label for certain infertility cases. While effective, it has potential side effects requiring careful medical management. Understanding its uses and risks is vital for optimal treatment and safety. For more details on letrozole, consult resources like MedlinePlus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Letoval is primarily used to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It is also used off-label to help with infertility by inducing ovulation in certain cases.

Letoval's active ingredient, letrozole, is an aromatase inhibitor. It works by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which is responsible for producing estrogen in postmenopausal women. This reduction in estrogen slows or stops the growth of breast cancer cells that depend on estrogen to grow.

Common side effects include hot flashes, joint and muscle pain, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, increased sweating, and gastrointestinal issues like nausea or constipation.

Yes, long-term use of Letoval can decrease bone mineral density due to the reduction of estrogen, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. A doctor may recommend monitoring bone density and possibly taking calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Letoval should not be taken by premenopausal women, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is also contraindicated for patients with a known allergy to letrozole or severe liver disease.

You should take Letoval exactly as prescribed by your doctor, usually once daily. It can be taken with or without food and should be swallowed whole with water. Consistency in timing is recommended.

No, Letoval is not a traditional chemotherapy drug. It is a form of hormone therapy known as an aromatase inhibitor. While traditional chemotherapy kills cancer cells, Letoval works by blocking the production of a hormone (estrogen) that fuels cancer growth.