Ribociclib: how to take it safely
Kisqali
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 or chew.
When to take it
Take it once a day for 21 days, then stop for 7 days, as your doctor says.
Take it with
With or without food.
What to avoid
- Grapefruit and Seville oranges.
- Tell your doctor if you have heart rhythm problems or take medicines that affect the heart.
- Missing your heart and liver tests.
- 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
Low white cell count, nausea, tiredness, hair thinning, diarrhoea, raised liver tests.
Get help if
Fainting, palpitations, yellow skin or eyes, fever, signs of infection or unusual bleeding: get urgent help.
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.