Abemaciclib: how to take it safely
Verzenio
Reviewed by Pharm. Abeeb Junior
What it is for
Treats hormone receptor positive breast cancer, together with hormone treatment.
How to take it
- Prescription medicine: take it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist told you.
- Swallow tablets whole with water. Do not crush, chew or split.
When to take it
Take it twice a day, about 12 hours apart.
Take it with
With or without food.
What to avoid
- Grapefruit juice.
- Stopping early without advice.
- St John's wort.
- Pregnancy and fathering a child during treatment. Use reliable contraception and ask your team how long to continue it.
- Live vaccines unless your cancer team says so.
- Contact with people who have infections such as chickenpox or flu.
- Alcohol, unless your team says it is safe.
Possible side effects
Diarrhoea (often early), tiredness, nausea, low blood counts, loss of appetite.
Get help if
Severe diarrhoea, fever, signs of infection, a swollen painful leg, chest pain, or breathlessness: get urgent help. Start loperamide as your team said at the first loose stool.
This is general information, not personal medical advice. Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions and read the leaflet that comes with your medicine. Medicines and doses can differ between products and people.