abemaciclib
What is the most important information I should know about abemaciclib?
Abemaciclib can cause severe diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration or infection. Call your doctor right away if you have diarrhea. Drink extra fluids and start taking anti-diarrhea medicine such as loperamide (Imodium).
Abemaciclib can cause blood clots, liver problems, and even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as: fever, chills, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, right-sided upper stomach pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, fast heartbeats, or pain or swelling in your arms or legs.
What is abemaciclib?
Abemaciclib is used in combination with other cancer treatments to treat advanced hormone-related breast cancer in adults when cancer has progressed or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) after other treatments have failed.
Abemaciclib is also used in combination with other cancer treatments to treat early hormone-related breast cancer in adults.
Abemaciclib may be used alone to treat advanced hormone-related breast cancer in adults when cancer has progressed or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) after other treatments have failed.
Abemaciclib may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking abemaciclib?
You should not use abemaciclib if you are allergic to it.
Tell your doctor if you have or ever had:
- a fever, chills, or other signs of infection;
- lung or breathing problems;
- blood clots; or
- liver or kidney disease.
Abemaciclib may harm an unborn baby. You may need a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant. Use effective birth control while using abemaciclib and for at least 3 weeks after your last dose. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
It may be harder for you to get a woman pregnant while you are using this medicine.
You should not breastfeed while using this medicine and for at least 3 weeks after your last dose.
How should I take abemaciclib?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.
Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it. Do not use a cracked, broken or damaged tablet.
If you vomit shortly after taking abemaciclib, do not take another dose. Take your next dose as scheduled.
Call your doctor if you have diarrhea while taking abemaciclib. Start taking anti-diarrhea medicine such as loperamide (Imodium) to quickly treat diarrhea. Drink extra fluids and call your doctor.
Your blood will need to be tested often and your cancer treatments may be delayed based on the results.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking abemaciclib?
Grapefruit may interact with abemaciclib and cause side effects. Avoid consuming grapefruit products.
What are the possible side effects of abemaciclib?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- severe or ongoing diarrhea;
- signs of infection --fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, unusual tiredness, loss of appetite, bruising or bleeding;
- liver problems --loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- low blood cell counts --fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath;
- signs of inflammation in the lungs --sudden chest pain, wheezing, dry cough or hack, feeling short of breath; or
- signs of a blood clot deep in the body or in the lung -->--chest pain, sudden cough or shortness of breath, dizziness, coughing up blood, or pain, swelling, or warmth in your arms or legs.
Your cancer treatments may be delayed or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.
Common side effects may include:
- diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
- loss of appetite;
- hair loss;
- infections;
- feeling tired;
- headache; or
- low blood cell counts.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect abemaciclib?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
- ketoconazole.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect abemaciclib, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about abemaciclib.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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