Why Does Diarrhea Result From Verzenio?

Verzenio, a targeted treatment for breast cancer, can cause serious side effects, including diarrhea, which is common and can sometimes be severe. It is a common gastrointestinal side effect that typically occurs during the first month of treatment and can affect up to 90 of patients. Diarrhea is usually mild and usually goes away in a few days or weeks. Verzenio can also cause dehydration or infection, which can occur in patients treated with the drug.

A study showed that bifidobacterial with or without trimebutine maleate shortened the duration of abemaciclib-induced diarrhea and prevented it. Some patients may experience unpleasant side effects like abdominal pain, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Coffee may cause or worsen diarrhea episodes for some people. Diarrhea was a common side effect in clinical trials of Verzenio, and it can also cause blood disorders, such as low neutrophils. It is important to learn how to prevent, treat, and report diarrhea with your doctor.

What causes diarrhea with Verzenio?

In many cases, it goes away after a few days or weeks. But Verzenio can sometimes cause serious diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. Also, some medications that are taken with Verzenio, such as fulvestrant (Faslodex), can cause diarrhea.

• More common side effects
• Mild side effects
• Serious side effects
• FAQ
• Specifics
• Precautions
• When to talk with your doctor

Verzenio (abemaciclib) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for some types of breast cancer in certain situations. As with other drugs, Verzenio can cause side effects, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

. Verzenio can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects are usually temporary, lasting for a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last for longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How long does it take for your body to adjust to Verzenio?

• Although Verzenio starts inhibiting CDK4/6 enzymes quickly, it may take up two to four months before any change in outcomes, such as progression-free survival are noted. These changes have been shown to persist and deepen for the next 4 years at least.
• Verzenio reaches consistent blood levels within five days of taking it twice a day.
• Verzenio is a CDK4/6 inhibitor that works by interrupting signals that stimulate the growth of cancerous cells. Hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers are more likely to have disturbances in CDK4/6.
• Side effects, such as diarrhea usually occur within the first week or month of treatment.

Verzenio (abemaciclib) is a targeted treatment that helps to reduce the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. It may be used to treat adults with HR+ HER2-, node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence in combination with endocrine treatment (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor). It may also be used to treat advanced or metastatic HR+ HER2- breast cancer.

Verzenio belongs to the class of medicines known as CDK 4/6 inhibitors which help to reduce the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body.

How do you treat abemaciclib induced diarrhea?

Verzenio is a medication used to treat patients with severe diarrhea associated with dehydration and infection. In four clinical trials involving 3691 patients, diarrhea occurred in 81 to 90 patients, with Grade 3 diarrhea occurring in 8 to 20 patients. Most patients experienced diarrhea during the first month of treatment, with the median time to onset of the first diarrhea event ranging from 6 to 8 days. For Grade 3 or 4 diarrhea, discontinue Verzenio until toxicity resolves to ≤Grade 1, then resume at the next lower dose.

Neutropenia, including febrile neutropenia and fatal neutropenic sepsis, occurred in 37 to 46 patients receiving Verzenio. A Grade ≥3 decrease in neutrophil count occurred in 19 to 32 patients receiving Verzenio. The median time to first episode of Grade ≥3 neutropenia ranged from 29 to 33 days, and the median duration of Grade ≥3 neutropenia ranged from 11 to 16 days. Febrile neutropenia has been reported in interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis in patients treated with Verzenio and other CDK4/6 inhibitors. In Verzenio-treated patients in EBC (monarchE), 3 of patients experienced ILD or pneumonitis of any grade, 0. 4 were Grade 3 or 4 and one fatality. In Verzenio-treated patients in MBC (MONARCH 1, MONARCH 2, MONARCH 3), 3. 3 of Verzenio-treated patients had ILD or pneumonitis of any grade, 0. 6 had Grade 3 or 4, and 0. 4 had fatal outcomes.

Does everyone lose hair on Verzenio?

Verzenio (abemaciclib) is a targeted treatment for early breast cancer, particularly HR+ HER2-, which is at high risk of recurrence in adults. It is used to treat HR+ HER2-, node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence in adults and advanced HR+ HER2- metastatic breast cancer. Common side effects include fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea, severe diarrhea, and vomiting. Bone marrow suppression may also occur, with neutropenia and leukopenia being less common. Diarrhea, which typically occurs in the first month of treatment, can affect up to 81 of patients. Infections, decreased appetite, headache, and hair thinning or hair loss (alopecia) have also been reported. Most patients can manage this side effect with the anti-diarrhea medication loperamide. Verzenio may cause fetal harm if administered during pregnancy and is not recommended for pregnant women. There is no generic Verzenio available. Patients with certain medical conditions, such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures, or those taking other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects.

What does Verzenio do to your body?

How does Verzenio work (mechanism of action)?. Verzenio is a type of medicine called a kinase inhibitor. It blocks the action of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6). CDK4 and CDK6 help cancer cells to grow and multiply. Verenzio blocks the activity of CDK4 and CDK6 to help stop cancer cells from growing and multiplying and to make tumors shrink in size.

How is Verzenio supplied (dosage forms)?. Verzenio is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.

• 50 mg oral tablets
• 100 mg oral tablets
• 150 mg oral tablets
• 200 mg oral tablets

What not to eat while on Verzenio?

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with Verzenio. Specifically, grapefruit products can stop your body from breaking down Verzenio. This raises the level of Verzenio in your body, which increases your risk of side effects from Verzenio.* Due to this risk, your doctor may recommend that you do not consume grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking the drug.

* For details about Verzenio’s side effects, see this article.

There are no known interactions between Verzenio and vaccines. However, Verzenio can lower your white blood cell count. If you have a low white blood cell count with Verzenio, your immune system may not respond to vaccines as well as usual. So if you get a vaccine during treatment, it may not work as well as usual.

What not to eat on Verzenio?

7:47 VO + Caption: What to avoid during treatment. Avoid taking ketoconazole during treatment with Verzenio. Tell your healthcare provider if you take a medicine that contains ketoconazole. Avoid grapefruit and products that contain grapefruit during treatment with Verzenio. Grapefruit may increase the amount of Verzenio in your blood.

8:06 VO + Caption: Learn more. Verzenio is a prescription medicine. For more information call 1-800-545-5979, or go to verzenio. com. This summary provides basic information about Verzenio but does not include all information known about this medicine. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about Verzenio and how to take it. Your healthcare provider is the best person to help you decide if Verzenio is right for you. Verzenio is a registered trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly & Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates.

PP-AL-US-4150 02/2024 ©Lilly USA, LLC 2024. All rights reserved.

How long does diarrhea last with abemaciclib?

Common side effects. Diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is a very common side effect of abemaciclib and can sometimes be severe.

The most likely time to have diarrhoea is during the first week of treatment. It may last for around two weeks.

If you have loose stools, it’s recommended that you start anti-diarrhoea medicine straight away, drink plenty of fluids and contact your treatment team.

Your specialist or GP can prescribe anti-diarrhoea medicine so you have it available at home before you start your treatment.

Can I drink coffee with Verzenio?

Is it safe to drink coffee while taking Verzenio?. Yes, in most cases it’s safe to drink coffee during Verzenio treatment. Verzenio and coffee aren’t known to interact with each other.

But diarrhea was a common side effect in studies of Verzenio. For some people, coffee may cause or worsen episodes of diarrhea. If you have this side effect after drinking coffee during Verzenio treatment, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you consume less (or no) coffee to help ease your symptoms.

For more information about Verzenio and coffee, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read this article to learn more about Verzenio and interactions.

. Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Verzenio that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but the dosage you take will be determined by your doctor.

Can you drink coffee while on Verzenio?

Is it safe to drink coffee while taking Verzenio?. Yes, in most cases it’s safe to drink coffee during Verzenio treatment. Verzenio and coffee aren’t known to interact with each other.

But diarrhea was a common side effect in studies of Verzenio. For some people, coffee may cause or worsen episodes of diarrhea. If you have this side effect after drinking coffee during Verzenio treatment, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you consume less (or no) coffee to help ease your symptoms.

For more information about Verzenio and coffee, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read this article to learn more about Verzenio and interactions.

. Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Verzenio that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but the dosage you take will be determined by your doctor.

Can you take Verzenio on an empty stomach?

Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. VERZENIO may be taken with or without food.