Ibrance tablets (Palbociclib)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Ibrance tablets Used For?
Ibrance contains palbociclib, which belongs to a group of medicines called cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors. It is specifically designed to treat certain types of advanced breast cancer.
Primary Uses
Ibrance is used to treat patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-negative) advanced breast cancer. It is given together with an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant, which are hormonal anticancer therapies.
How It Works
Ibrance works as a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor to help control cancer cell growth and division.
Good to know: Ibrance is not addictive and is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
How to Take Ibrance tablets
Ibrance is taken as a single tablet by mouth and should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush, or split the tablets before swallowing.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose for adults with advanced breast cancer is one 125 mg tablet taken once daily for 21 days, followed by 7 days without taking Ibrance. This 28-day period (21 days on, 7 days off) counts as one treatment cycle. The 7-day break helps your body recover and reduces your chance of getting side effects. Your doctor may change your dose during treatment based on your response and any side effects.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take Ibrance or vomit after taking a dose, take your next dose at your regular time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Always follow your doctor’s instructions exactly.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Bleeding or bruising more easily than usual
- Low white blood cell, red blood cell or platelet counts
- Nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
- Mouth sores, redness, irritation, or swelling of mouth, cheeks, gums and lips
- Loss of appetite
- Hair thinning or loss
- Skin rash, dryness, or redness
- Fatigue, tiredness, lack of energy
- Fever
- Muscle weakness
- Unpleasant or unusual taste in mouth
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Allergic reactions (chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue or body parts, hives, itching, skin rash)
- Signs of infection (fever, chills, listlessness, paleness)
- Chest infection symptoms (chest discomfort, dizziness, breathlessness, rapid heart rate, weakness)
- Soft tissue infection signs (bump or open sore that doesn’t heal)
- Blood disorder symptoms (persistent fever, bruising, bleeding very easily, paleness)
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before and during treatment with Ibrance.
Who Should Not Take Ibrance tablets
Do not take Ibrance if you are allergic to palbociclib or any of the ingredients listed in the medication. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other body parts, rash, itching, or hives on the skin.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have had abnormal blood test results, fever, chills or signs of infection, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, dizziness, kidney problems, liver problems, or lactose intolerance. You should have a blood test before starting treatment and before each treatment cycle to monitor your blood cell levels.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Ibrance may affect the developing baby and should not be taken during pregnancy. Use reliable contraception during treatment. Women should continue contraception for at least a month after the last dose, and men should continue for 14 weeks after the last dose. Do not breastfeed while taking Ibrance. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medication.
Infection Risk: Ibrance can make you more likely to get infections or make existing infections worse by reducing white blood cell counts.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Ibrance. It’s important to tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking Ibrance, as it may change the amount of medicine in your body.
- Antifungal medicines (posaconazole, voriconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, itraconazole)
- Antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin)
- HIV/AIDS medicines (atazanavir, indinavir, efavirenz, ritonavir, lopinavir, fosamprenavir, nevirapine, etravirine, saquinavir)
- Hepatitis C medicines (elbasvir/grazoprevir)
- Tuberculosis medicines (rifampin, rifabutin)
- Pain medicines (alfentanil, fentanyl)
- Organ rejection prevention medicines (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, sirolimus)
- Migraine medicines (dihydroergotamine, ergotamine)
- Cancer medicines (everolimus)
- Tourette’s disorder medicines (pimozide)
- Heart/blood pressure medicines (bosentan, quinidine, diltiazem)
- Epilepsy/seizure medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine, felbamate, primidone, phenobarbital)
- St John’s wort (herbal medicine for depression)
- Nefazodone (depression treatment)
- Modafinil (sleep disorder treatment)
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or using machinery until you know how Ibrance affects you, as the effects on your ability to drive are not fully known.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the source material. Consult your doctor about alcohol consumption while taking Ibrance.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines or tools until you know how Ibrance affects you. The medicine may cause fatigue and blurred vision in some people. If you experience these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that could be dangerous.
Storage
Keep Ibrance in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep the medicine in its original pack until it’s time to use it to protect it from light. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, on a windowsill, or in a car, as heat and dampness can damage the medicine. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 metres above the ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Ibrance, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Always take the medicine packaging with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ibrance helps control your cancer but does not cure it. It’s important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well, for as long as your doctor tells you to continue treatment.
Ibrance should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. The source material doesn’t specify whether it should be taken with or without food, so follow your doctor’s specific instructions.
No, Ibrance is not addictive.
Do not stop using Ibrance or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor first. This medicine helps control your condition, so it’s important to continue taking it as prescribed.
If you forget to take Ibrance or vomit after taking a dose, take your next dose at your regular time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
You need blood tests before starting treatment and before each treatment cycle because Ibrance commonly decreases white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. These tests help monitor your blood cell levels and check for side effects.
Taking Ibrance for 21 continuous days followed by 7 days without the medicine helps your body recover, reduces your chance of getting side effects, and could help prevent infections.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.