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Do Letoval and Oncomex have serious side effects?
Monday, 22 October 2007
Answered by: Dr. Chandra M. Gulhati
Editor,
MIMS,
New Delhi
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Q. As part of our attempts to conceive, we had approached a senior gynaecologist. She prescribed Letoval and Oncomex for two consecutive cycles. My wife never took these drugs again. I got to know that the above-mentioned drugs are anti-cancer drugs and are strictly prohibited in women trying to conceive. Now that the mistake has occurred, what precautions should we take (it is almost three years now), so that the above drugs don't cause any side effects? Please advise.

A.  The use of anti-breast cancer drugs letrozole (Letoval) and tamoxifen (Oncomex) is contraindicated (not permitted) in pre-menopausal women (i.e. during child bearing age) the world over. Both the Canadian Government Drug Controller and the innovator company, Novartis, have warned gynaecologists the world over not to use letrozole for female infertility. Research on 150 pregnancies has shown that babies born to mothers who had consumed letrozole to increase fertility have suffered from bone malformations, cardiac stenosis and cancers. Fortunately, these drugs do not leave any trace in the body and hence would not cause any adverse effects in future.

A.  The use of anti-breast cancer drugs letrozole (Letoval) and tamoxifen (Oncomex) is contraindicated (not permitted) in pre-menopausal women (i.e. during child bearing age) the world over. Both the Canadian Government Drug Controller and the innovator company, Novartis, have warned gynaecologists the world over not to use letrozole for female infertility. Research on 150 pregnancies has shown that babies born to mothers who had consumed letrozole to increase fertility have suffered from bone malformations, cardiac stenosis and cancers. Fortunately, these drugs do not leave any trace in the body and hence would not cause any adverse effects in future.
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