Ibrance
Common Name:
palbociclib
How does the Ibrance medication work? What will it do for me?
Palbociclib belongs to a group of cancer-fighting medications called protein kinase inhibitors. It works by recognizing certain types of cancer cells and blocking the action of chemicals that cause them to divide and grow. This may slow down or stop cancers from growing and dividing.
This medication is used in combination with other medication, to treat advanced breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized).
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does the Ibrance medication come in?
75 mg
Each opaque, hard gelatin size 2 capsule with light orange cap and body, printed with white ink "Pfizer" on the cap, "PBC 75" on the body, contains 75 mg of palbociclib. Nonmedicinal ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, sodium starch glycolate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate; capsule shell: gelatin, red iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, and titanium dioxide; printing ink: shellac, titanium dioxide, ammonium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and simethicone.
100 mg
Each opaque, hard gelatin size 1 capsule with caramel cap and light orange body, printed with white ink "Pfizer" on the cap, "PBC 100" on the body, contains 100 mg of palbociclib. Nonmedicinal ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, sodium starch glycolate, colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate; capsule shell: gelatin, red iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, and titanium dioxide; printing ink: shellac, titanium dioxide, ammonium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and simethicone.
125 mg
Each opaque, hard gelatin size 0 capsule with caramel cap and body, printed with white ink "Pfizer" on the cap, "PBC 125" on the body, contains 125 mg of palbociclib. Nonmedicinal ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, sodium starch glycolate, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, and hard gelatin capsule shells; capsule shell: gelatin, red iron oxide, yellow iron oxide, and titanium dioxide; printing ink: shellac, titanium dioxide, ammonium hydroxide, propylene glycol, and simethicone.
How should I use the Ibrance medication?
The recommended dose of palbociclib is 125 mg taken by mouth, once a day for 21 days, followed by 7 days without taking the medication. This forms a 28-day cycle, which is repeated as long as you are benefiting from the medication.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
Take palbociclib with food. Try to take this medication at the same time each day, to make sure a constant amount of medication stays in your body.
Swallow the capsule whole with some fluid. Do not crush, chew, or open the capsule before swallowing it. If you find a broken, cracked, or open capsule, discard it safely. Do not take any capsule that is not intact.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. If you vomit after taking your dose for the day, do not take another capsule. Continue taking the medication the next day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take the Ibrance medication?
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to palbociclib or any ingredients of the medication.
What side effects are possible with the Ibrance medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- constipation
- cough
- diarrhea
- hair thinning or loss
- headache
- loss of appetite
- mouth sores
- nausea
- rash
- vomiting
Although most of the side effects listed below don’t happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- fever
- signs of anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
- signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don’t stop bleeding)
- signs of infection (symptoms may include fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
- symptoms of lung inflammation (e.g., cough, shortness of breath, trouble breathing)
- tingling or abnormal feeling (especially in the arms and legs)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for the Ibrance medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Anemia: Palbociclib may cause low levels of red blood cells. If you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells, including red blood cells, in your blood.
Drowsiness/dizziness: Palbociclib may cause drowsiness or dizziness, affecting your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how you are affected by this medication.
Infection: As well as killing cancer cells, palbociclib can reduce the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells). If possible, avoid contact with people with contagious infections. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice signs of an infection, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells in your blood.
Liver function: If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking this medication.
Male fertility: This medication may impair male fertility. Men should consider sperm preservation prior to starting treatment with palbociclib. Men whose partners could become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 97 days after the last dose of palbociclib.
Pulmonary embolism: Some people taking palbociclib have experienced pulmonary embolism (a blockage in the blood vessels of the lungs) during treatment. If you experience shortness of breath, chest pain, or a cough that develops suddenly, get medical help immediately.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. If you are able to become pregnant, you should use effective birth control while you are taking this medication and for at least 21 days after stopping the medication. Men who are taking this medication who have female partners whose partners could become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 97 days after the last dose of palbociclib.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if palbociclib passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.
What other drugs could interact with the Ibrance medication?
There may be an interaction between palbociclib and any of the following:
- alpha-blockers (e.g., alfuzosin, doxazosin, silodosin, tamsulosin)
- amiodarone
- anti-cancer medications (e.g., cabazitaxel, docetaxel; doxorubicin; etoposide, ifosfamide, irinotecan, vincristine)
- antipsychotics (e.g., aripiprazole, clozapine, haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
- aprepitant
- "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)
- benzodiazepines (e.g., chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam)
- bicalutamide
- bosentan
- buspirone
- calcitriol
- calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine, diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil)
- chloroquine
- colchicine
- conivaptan
- corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide, dexamethasone)
- cyclosporine
- darifenacin
- deferasirox
- disopyramide
- dofetilide
- domperidone
- dronedarone
- echinacea
- estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, estradiol, ethinyl estradiol)
- fingolimod
- flutamide
- "gliptin" diabetes medications (e.g., linagliptin, saxagliptin, sitagliptin)
- grapefruit juice
- HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., delavirdine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
- HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
- leflunomide
- lidocaine
- lomitapide
- losartan
- macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
- maraviroc
- mefloquine
- mifepristone
- mirtazapine
- modafinil
- narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine, fentanyl, morphine, oxycodone)
- natalizumab
- nefazodone
- nitrates (e.g., isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate)
- pimecrolimus
- praziquantel
- primaquine
- other protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., ceritinib, dabrafenib, imatinib, lapatinib)
- quinidine
- quinine
- rifabutin
- rifampin
- rilpivirine
- roflumilast
- romidepsin
- St. John’s wort
- salmeterol
- seizure medications (e.g., carbamazepine, gabapentin, levetiracetam, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate)
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline)
- serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; e.g., desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, venlafaxine)
- sildenafil
- simeprevir
- sirolimus
- solifenacin
- "statin" anticholesterol medications (e.g., atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin)
- tacrolimus
- tamoxifen
- tocilizumab
- tofacitinib
- tolterodine
- tolvaptan
- trazodone
- tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, trimipramine)
- zolpidem
- zopiclone
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2021. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/drug/getdrug/Ibrance
