WHAT SHOULD I AVOID TAKING WITH IBRANCE

[RuchiM]

I am a Nigerian ,a single lady of 32years ,I was diagnosed of metastatic breast cancer on September 2023 then I redid my biopsy for a second opinion and it was same ,so I underwent 8chemo of Paclitaxel and carboplatin, which was 3weeks regimen from October 2023 to March 2023 ,afterwards a chest CT was done ,it showed there is interval regression and it has left my lungs it metastasized to,so I was placed on ibrance and letrozole,I just started . I want learn from those whom have gone through my journey to enlighten me on what and what not to do

[2Hopeful]

I was told not to have grapefruit or grapefruit juice.

[awesome4ever]

Hi Mercy. I'm so sorry that you are dealing with MBC at such a young age. Ibrance is a wonderful drug and I got 5 years on that combined with Femara with no real side effects. I wish you the same.

As to what to avoid while taking Ibrance...here is an excerpt from the Ibrance pamphlet for Canadian patients. I'll also include the pdf of the actual pamphlet in case you are interested.

From page 46.....The following may interact with IBRANCE:

"Do not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit, or products containing grapefruit

extracts, star fruit, pomegranate, Seville oranges or other similar fruits. They may change the

amount of IBRANCE in your body."

webfiles.pfizer.com/file/29...

Good luck and take care.

[Grapehead in reply to awesome4ever]

Hi there

Can I ask why you came off Inbrance after 5 years? Did it stop working? Were you put on something else effective? Thank you 🙏

[awesome4ever in reply to Grapehead]

Hi there. Yes sadly after the 5 years a scan showed it was no longer effective at fighting my cancer. I started Everolimis & Exemestane as 2nd line a year ago and scans every 3 months show my cancer as stable. I have my next set of scans this coming week and 🤞 I can continue on this regime. I see that you are new to the board so welcome, although I am sorry you need to join us. Have you recently started on Ibrance or one of the other CDK 4/6 inhibitors? Lots of great information on this board about all aspects of MBC that you will find beneficial.Thanks for the question. Take care.

[Grapehead in reply to awesome4ever]

Hi there, and thanks so much for your reply. Ibrance plus hormone therapy, plus a drug to shut my ovaries down has been suggested for me for breast cancer lung mets. I haven't started anything yet. Just getting my head around everything.

[Grapehead in reply to awesome4ever]

Best wishes for your next set of scans, I hope all is stable.

[Gingerann1 in reply to Grapehead]

Unless you have severe side effects on a particular drug or drug combo you would probably only be taken off of it when there is progression and it stops working. That is what is so insidious about cancer. You might get a long run on something but the cancer mutates and figures a way around the drug so a change needs to be made. The drugs only slow progression. Fortunately there are many drugs/combos to keep us going and more in the pipeline until there is a cure. Best to you with your treatment.

[Grapehead in reply to Gingerann1]

Thank you so much for your reply. Also wondered whether anyone does any alternative therapies alongside the drugs?

[Sharon0122]

hello! I’ve been on Ibrance and anastrozole for slimiest three years. The only thing I know of is you can’t eat grapefruit. They will put you on some kind of infusion for your bones as Ibrance drains your estrogen which causes osteoporosis. Other than keeping an eye on your blood counts especially your white blood count which can get low and you will be susceptible to infection. I started on 125, went to 100 and now I’m at 75 mg of Ibrance for that very reason. No need to alarm yourself for a lower dosage. Best to you and be strong, some days will be harder than others. Hugs!

[Artesa]

I was told by my specialty pharmacist not to take proton pump inhibitors like Prilosec, Nexium but that pepcid was ok. Other posts mention grapefruit /juice. I got mixed answers on pomegranate and pom. juice but decided not to avoid that too, as well as Seville oranges.

[Timtam56]

Welcome here, and sorry you have to be here. Yes. I was on ibance and Letrozole/Anastrozole for 5.5 years. I did well, then its stopped working. Mets moved to other places. Originally just bones, well, lots of bones. And then it moved to liver and other bones. But I’m sort of doing well now on Alpelesib/Piqray.

[mackster]

Ibrance seems to be a popular, well tolerated treatment generally. I've been on that, combined with Fulvestrant, Denosumab& Vit D with calcium for nearly 18 months. Only minor side effects so far. I think there may be posts about Ibrance & some supplements being contraindicated. I can't recall which ones, but several. I also take blood thinners which impacts what I can take. I would like to take Aspirin & a Statin for instance. I wonder if that's your concern. Best wishes for good outcomes with your treatment.

[love2golfwell]

I'm so sorry you are going through this, especially since you are so young. I have been on Ibrance and Letrozole for almost 4 years. I was also told not to have grapefruit or grapefruit juice as it can increase the Ibrance in your system. Also, I heard not to have pomegranate or Seville oranges. I see the response below from awesome4ever that she lists other things to avoid, too. I have done well on the meds and am currently stable. Best wishes to you. Sending hugs and prayers.

[michelangelina]

I have been on Ibrance/Letrozole for 6 years and have been doing well. I have had a few side effects but it has been tolerable and I live a normal, busy life. If you have side effects, I encourage you to post about it--you will certainly get good advice on how to deal with specific issues. I hope that you have a good experience with this medication combination and that it is very effective for you. May God bless you!

[kellylinkane]

I read some study said antiacid will effect the medication.

[embrace28]

Hello RuchiM. I have been on Ibrance/Letrozole and lupron injections (to shut down ovaries) for 5 years now and doing well. I was told not to eat grapefruit and seville oranges. You may have to probably take Calcium Supplements as it helps with osteoporosis from the hormone therapy. I also take supplements (Garden of Life Multivitamin and Vitamin C). I believe walking and exercise helps with the fatigue since I know that on days I do not exercise I feel all the more tired. I try to eat as healthy as possible (more fruits and veggies and less sugar, red meat and processed food but still enjoy my favorite desserts from time to time!) Please do let us know if you have any other questions