Safety And Side Effects When Taking IBRANCE For HR+/HER2- mBC
Monitoring Side Effects
Navigating side effects can be difficult, but if you know what’s possible, you can be more prepared.
Side Effects
While on therapy, be sure to share any side effects you experience with your healthcare team right away.
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS
- Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia) are very common when taking IBRANCE (palbociclib) and may cause serious infections that can lead to death. Your healthcare team should check your white blood cell counts before and during treatment.
- If you develop low white blood cell counts during treatment with IBRANCE, your doctor may stop your treatment, decrease your dose, or may tell you to wait to begin your treatment cycle. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have signs and symptoms of low white blood cell counts or infections, such as fever and chills.
- Lung problems (pneumonitis). IBRANCE may cause severe inflammation of the lungs during treatment that can lead to death. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms, including:
- chest pain
- cough with or without mucus
- trouble breathing or shortness of breath
Your healthcare provider may interrupt or stop treatment with IBRANCE completely if your symptoms are severe.
THE MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
- In addition to low white blood cell counts (neutropenia), low red blood cell counts and low platelet counts are common with IBRANCE. Call your healthcare team right away if you feel dizzy or weak, notice that you bleed or bruise more easily, or experience shortness of breath or nosebleeds while on treatment.
- Other most common side effects include:
- infections
- tiredness
- nausea
- sore mouth
- abnormalities in liver blood tests
- diarrhea
- hair thinning or hair loss
- increased blood creatinine
IBRANCE may cause fertility problems in males. This may affect your ability to father a child. Talk to your healthcare provider about family planning options before starting IBRANCE if this is a concern for you.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all of the possible side effects of IBRANCE. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
Navigating Side Effects
Your doctor or nurse will want to know how you’re feeling and how well you’re tolerating your medication. Speak up if you have any side effects, as some can be serious—your doctor may adjust your dose or ask you to make adjustments to your lifestyle. Talking with your healthcare team can help you better navigate side effects.
Before you make any changes to your diet or exercise routine, consult with your healthcare team. Also note that these tips are not specific to lBRANCE and that if you do experience any side effects, share them with your healthcare team early so that they can help you manage them.
It’s important to take steps to protect yourself against infection throughout your treatment. In addition to your healthcare team’s instructions, these tips may help:
- Tell your healthcare team right away if you have fever, chills, or any other signs or symptoms of infection.
- Wash your hands often.
- Avoid exposure to people who might be sick.
If you’re nauseated or vomiting, talk to your healthcare team for instructions on how to deal with symptoms. Additionally, these tips may help:
- Try to eat 5 or 6 small meals a day instead of 3 large ones.
- Since dehydration may contribute to nausea, sip water throughout the day.
- Consider relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing.
Check your mouth and tongue daily for sores, white spots, or infections and inform your healthcare team about any changes right away. In addition to your healthcare team’s instructions, here are some tips:
- Avoid tobacco, drinking alcohol, and spicy and acidic foods.
- Eat foods that are soft and easy to chew or swallow.
- If you have mouth pain, sucking on ice chips or Popsicles® may help.
The physical and mental toll of treatment can leave you feeling tired or weak. In addition to your healthcare team’s instructions, these tips may help:
- Build a schedule to make sure you’re getting enough rest and activity.
- Take short naps or breaks.
- Try doing light exercise each day, but make sure you talk to your healthcare team before you make any changes.
It’s important to take steps to protect yourself against infection throughout your treatment. In addition to your healthcare team’s instructions, these tips may help:
- Tell your healthcare team right away if you have fever, chills, or any other signs or symptoms of infection.
- Wash your hands often.
- Avoid exposure to people who might be sick.
If you’re nauseated or vomiting, talk to your healthcare team for instructions on how to deal with symptoms. Additionally, these tips may help:
- Try to eat 5 or 6 small meals a day instead of 3 large ones.
- Since dehydration may contribute to nausea, sip water throughout the day.
- Consider relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing.
Check your mouth and tongue daily for sores, white spots, or infections, and inform your healthcare team about any changes right away. In addition to your healthcare team’s instructions, here are some tips:
- Avoid tobacco, drinking alcohol, and spicy and acidic foods.
- Eat foods that are soft and easy to chew or swallow.
- If you have mouth pain, sucking on ice chips or Popsicles® may help.
The physical and mental toll of treatment can leave you feeling tired or weak. In addition to your healthcare team’s instructions, these tips may help:
- Build a schedule to make. sure you’re getting rest and activity
- Take short naps or breaks.
- Try doing light exercise each day, But make sure you talk to your healthcare team before you make any changes.
