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Verzenio

Verzenio

(abemaciclib)

Verzenio (Abemaciclib) belongs to the class of medications called antineoplastics (anticancer medications). More specifically, it belongs to the class of medications called protein kinase inhibitors.

Available form

Dosage

Tablet

50MG

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Verzenio information

Dosage

Side Effects

Available Form

Contraindications

Precautions

Warnings

The usual dose of Verzenio (Abemaciclib) when it is used in combination with another drug for breast cancer is 150 mg taken by mouth twice daily.

When used alone, the usual dose of Verzenio (Abemaciclib) is 200 mg taken by mouth twice daily.

Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush or chew the tablets. Verzenio (Abemaciclib) may be taken with or without food. It should be taken at approximately the same times each day.

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.

It is important to take Verzenio (Abemaciclib) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose or vomit after taking a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. 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 Verzenio (Abemaciclib) 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.

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 Verzenio (Abemaciclib). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Verzenio (Abemaciclib) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Verzenio (Abemaciclib). 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.

changed sense of taste
decreased appetite
dizziness
Dry Mouth
eye pain
fatigue
feeling faint
fractures
hair loss or thinning
headache
increased tear production
itchiness
mouth sores
muscle weakness
nausea
skin rash or inflammation
stomach pain
trouble swallowing
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:

blurred vision
broken bones or fractures
Diarrhea (liquid or loose stools)
low levels of calcium in the blood (e.g., muscle cramps in the back and legs, dry skin, confusion, memory loss)
pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, redness and flaking or blistering palms or soles of feet
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)
signs of kidney problems (e.g., change in the amount or colour of urine, increased urination at night, blood in the urine, swelling in the feet or legs)
signs of low potassium levels in the blood (e.g., weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat)
signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
signs of lung problems (e.g., shortness of breath, painful breathing, tiredness, wheezing, fever or cough)
symptoms of irregular heart beat (e.g., chest pain, dizziness, rapid, pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

signs of a blood clot in the arm or leg (tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in the arm or leg) or lungs (difficulty breathing, sharp chest pain that is worst when breathing in, coughing, coughing up blood, sweating, or passing out)
signs of a Heart Attack (e.g., chest pain or pressure, pain extending through shoulder and arm, nausea and vomiting, sweating)
signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
signs of Stroke (e.g., sudden or severe headache; sudden loss of coordination; vision changes; sudden slurring of speech; or unexplained weakness, numbness, or pain in arm or leg)
symptoms of sepsis (blood infection; e.g., high fever, fast heart rate, rapid breathing)

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 Verzenio (Abemaciclib).

There may be an interaction between Verzenio (Abemaciclib) and any of the following:

Apalutamide
Aprepitant
"azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
BCG
Baricitinib
Bosentan
calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
Cladribine
Clozapine
Cobicistat
conivaptan
Cyclosporine
Deferasirox
Deferiprone
Denosumab
Digoxin
Dronedarone
echinacea
Enzalutamide
Fingolimod
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
macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
Mesalamine
Metformin
mifepristone
Mitotane
Modafinil
Natalizumab
Nivolumab
Pimecrolimus
protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., Crizotinib, imatinib, Palbociclib)
rifabutin
rifampin
Roflumilast
St. John's wort
seizure medications (e.g., Carbamazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone)
siltuximab
Tacrolimus
Tocilizumab
Tofacitinib
Trastuzumab
vaccines

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 Verzenio (Abemaciclib). 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.

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 Verzenio (Abemaciclib).

Blood Clots: Verzenio (Abemaciclib) may increase the chance of blood clot formation, causing reduction of blood flow to organs or the extremities.

If you have a history of clotting you may be at increased risk of experiencing blood clot-related problems such as heart attack, stroke, or clots in the deep veins of your leg. Discuss with your doctor how Verzenio (Abemaciclib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Verzenio (Abemaciclib), and whether any special monitoring is needed.
If you experience symptoms such as sharp pain and swelling in the leg, difficulty breathing, or sudden chest pain, contact your doctor immediately.

Diarrhea: Diarrhea is a common side effect of Verzenio (Abemaciclib). It is most likely to occur in the first few months that you are taking Verzenio (Abemaciclib). Severe diarrhea that is not treated may lead to dehydration and severe complications affecting blood pressure, kidneys, and other organs. If you experience watery or runny bowel movements while you are taking Verzenio (Abemaciclib), contact your doctor as soon as possible. If your doctor has recommended an antidiarrheal medication (e.g., Loperamide), you should start taking it, as well as increase the amount of fluids you are drinking.

Drowsiness/dizziness: Verzenio (Abemaciclib) 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 Verzenio (Abemaciclib) affects you.

Infection: Like other medications to treat cancer, Verzenio (Abemaciclib) 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.

Interactions with food: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice affect how Verzenio (Abemaciclib) is removed from the body, and may cause the medication to build up in the body. This can lead to potentially harmful side effects. Avoid these foods taking Verzenio (Abemaciclib) for treatment.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Verzenio (Abemaciclib) to build up in the body, causing side effects.

Verzenio (Abemaciclib) can also reduce liver function. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Verzenio (Abemaciclib) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Verzenio (Abemaciclib), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor will order routine blood tests to test your liver function while you are taking Verzenio (Abemaciclib).

If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy: Verzenio (Abemaciclib) should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Verzenio (Abemaciclib), contact your doctor immediately. Women who may become pregnant should use effective birth control while taking Verzenio (Abemaciclib) and for at least 3 weeks after taking the last dose.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Verzenio (Abemaciclib) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Verzenio (Abemaciclib), it may affect your baby. Women taking Verzenio (Abemaciclib) should avoid breast-feeding while taking Verzenio (Abemaciclib) and for at least 3 weeks after taking the last dose.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Verzenio (Abemaciclib) have not been established for children.

Seniors: People over the age of 65 may be more likely to experience side effects from taking Verzenio (Abemaciclib).

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All material © 1996-2024 MediResource Inc. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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