Verzenio Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Verzenio Tablet (generic name: abemaciclib) is an oral targeted cancer medicine belonging to the CDK4/6 inhibitor class. It is used to treat hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer in adults, either alone, in combination with fulvestrant, or alongside other hormone therapies depending on the stage of disease. It works by blocking enzymes that drive cancer cell growth and division, and it is not a form of chemotherapy.

What is Verzenio Tablet

Verzenio is an oral targeted cancer medicine used to treat hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer in adults. It belongs to a group of medicines called CDK4/6 inhibitors (also called kinase inhibitors), which block enzymes that drive cancer cell growth and division. It is not chemotherapy.

Verzenio Tablet uses

• Treatment of HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer.
• Treatment of certain early-stage, high-risk HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer after surgery.
• Used in combination with fulvestrant for advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

Benefits of Verzenio Tablet

• Can lower the risk of early breast cancer coming back when combined with hormone therapy
• Can slow down the growth and spread of certain advanced or metastatic breast cancers
• May help people live longer without their cancer getting worse, depending on the combination used

How Verzenio Tablet works

Verzenio blocks two enzymes called CDK4 and CDK6 inside cancer cells. In hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, these enzymes normally help switch on a protein that lets cells move through their growth cycle and divide. By blocking CDK4 and CDK6, Verzenio stops cancer cells from moving into the stage where they copy their DNA, so the cells stop dividing or die.

Verzenio Tablet dosage

Verzenio is taken twice a day, every day, at about the same times each day, with no breaks unless your doctor tells you otherwise. It can be taken with or without food. Swallow tablets whole; do not chew, crush, or split them. Do not take a tablet that is broken, cracked, or damaged.

If used together with fulvestrant, tamoxifen, imlunestrant, or an aromatase inhibitor, also read the information leaflet for that other medicine.

If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose at the regular time; do not take two doses together to make up for a missed one. If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take another dose — just take your next dose at the regular scheduled time.

People with severe liver problems may be told to take their dose only once a day instead of twice a day. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit products while taking this medicine.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Verzenio Tablet

Common

• Diarrhea
• Infections
• Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia and leukopenia)
• Tiredness (fatigue)
• Stomach area (abdominal) pain
• Nausea
• Low red blood cell counts (anemia)
• Vomiting
• Decreased appetite
• Headache
• Hair thinning or hair loss (alopecia)
• Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)

Serious

• Severe diarrhea that can lead to dehydration
• Low white blood cell counts that can cause serious infections, including fever and chills
• Lung inflammation (interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis) causing trouble breathing, cough, or chest pain
• Serious liver problems, including tiredness, upper right abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or easy bruising/bleeding
• Blood clots in veins or lungs, including leg pain or swelling, shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid breathing, or rapid heart rate

Warnings and precautions

• Verzenio can cause severe diarrhea that may lead to dehydration and infection, most often in the first month of treatment. Start an antidiarrheal medicine at the first sign of loose stools, drink more fluids, and tell your doctor right away.
• Verzenio can cause low white blood cell counts, which can lead to serious infections that can be fatal. Blood counts are checked before and during treatment.
• Verzenio can cause severe or life-threatening lung inflammation that can be fatal.
• Verzenio can cause serious liver problems. Liver blood tests are done before and during treatment.
• Verzenio can cause serious blood clots in veins or lungs that have led to death.
• Avoid taking ketoconazole with Verzenio, as it can greatly increase Verzenio levels in the blood.
• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit products during treatment, as they may increase the amount of Verzenio in the blood.
• Verzenio may affect fertility in males, which could affect the ability to father a child.
• Verzenio can harm an unborn baby. Women who can become pregnant should have a pregnancy test before starting treatment and use effective birth control during treatment and for 3 weeks after the last dose.
• It is not known if Verzenio passes into breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose.
• No dose change is needed for mild or moderate kidney problems. Verzenio can raise a blood test called creatinine, but this does not mean the kidneys are damaged; other tests may be used to check kidney function.
• People with severe liver problems should take Verzenio only once a day instead of twice daily. Your doctor will check your liver with blood tests before and during treatment.
• Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, as it may worsen tiredness and dizziness caused by the drug.
• This medicine may cause tiredness and dizziness. Do not drive or use machinery if you have these symptoms.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C)
• Short periods between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C) are allowed
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Keep tablets in the pack until it is time to take them
• Store in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C, away from moisture, heat, or sunlight
• If you no longer need the medicine or it is out of date, take it to a pharmacy for safe disposal

When to see a doctor

• Get help right away if you develop signs of infection such as fever or chills.
• Get help right away for new or worsening trouble breathing, shortness of breath, cough (with or without mucus), or chest pain, which could be signs of lung problems.
• Get help right away for signs of liver problems such as extreme tiredness, pain in the upper right abdomen, loss of appetite, or unusual bruising or bleeding.
• Get help right away for signs of a blood clot, such as pain or swelling in an arm or leg, shortness of breath, chest pain, rapid breathing, or rapid heart rate.
• If you develop any loose stools, start an antidiarrheal medicine, drink more fluids, and contact your healthcare provider right away.
• Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or think you might be pregnant during treatment.

Alternatives

• Afinitor
• Ibrance
• Kisqali