Palbociclib

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor	Ibrance	Cancer-related

Palbociclib - What is it for

Palbociclib is used to treat hormone-positive breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is used together with other medications such as Letrozole or Fulvestrant.

Palbociclib - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Palbociclib cause?

Common side effects include:

Nausea and vomiting

Take small, frequent meals throughout the day.

Decreased appetite
Sore mouth or mouth ulcers

Rinse your mouth after meals using an alcohol-free mouthwash or salt water.
Brush your teeth gently with a soft toothbrush.

Diarrhea and/or stomach discomfort

Drink plenty of clear fluids to replace those lost (2 litres everyday).
Avoid oily or spicy food and milk or dairy products.

Hair loss

Use a gentle shampoo to wash your hair.

Rash

Avoid taking hot showers.

Feeling tired and lack of energy

Do not drive or operate machinery when you feel tired.

Decreased white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets

This may put you at higher risk of infections, bleeding or bruising and feeling tired.
To reduce your risk of infection:

Avoid crowds and people who are sick. Wear a face mask when you are going out.
Wash your hands after using the toilet and before handling food.
Eat food that is fresh and completely cooked, and avoid raw or half-cooked food.

To reduce your risk of bleeding problems:

Be careful when using sharp objects such as knives.
Try not to bruise, cut or knock yourself.
Brush your teeth gently as your gums may bleed more easily.
Apply direct pressure to any cuts or wounds to help stop bleeding.

If any of these side effects are severe, see your healthcare professional immediately.

Rare but serious side effects include:

Signs of infection - fever of 38°C and above, chills, cough, body aches
Unusual bleeding, bruising, black sticky stools or blood in urine
Cough with chest pain or breathing difficulty

The symptoms of a drug allergy including one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Before taking Palbociclib , what precautions must I follow?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication
You or your partner become pregnant or is planning for pregnancy. You should use effective birth control during and for at least:

3 weeks after stopping Palbociclib (for women)
14 weeks after stopping Palbociclib (for men)

You are breastfeeding

Do not breastfeed during treatment.

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Palbociclib ?

Avoid taking grapefruit when you are taking this medication as grapefruit may interact with your medication and increase the risk of side effects.
Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medication, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies.

Palbociclib - Dosage and How to Use

How should Palbociclib be used?

Take Palbociclib once a day with food, for 3 weeks, followed by 1 week of rest, in a 4-week cycle.
Do not break open, chew or crush the capsule. Swallow the capsule whole.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have difficulty swallowing.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose.