How quickly does imbruvica cause side effects? stomach issues, ect?

[Hoffy]

I will be starting on ibruvica soon. Do side effects begin right away ( like one or two days ) or do they take a few weeks to develop? I am told they eventually go down - like stomach issues, etc.. Thanks!

[mnmnewtons]

Took me 8 weeks to develop a severe rash and severe muscle weakness. The reactions started very slowly. Imbruvica (Ibrutinib) was working well on my CLL but I was in such a difficult situation that my oncologist decided to move me on to Zydelig. I have read that some measures can be taken to deal with some of the side effects, so it is important to immediately report any problems you may have to your doctor.

[Hoffy in reply to mnmnewtons]

Thanks! Did you have stomach issues right away? I think ACP196 is the cleanest of the BTK inhibitors. It is 2nd generation as far as I know.

[mnmnewtons in reply to Hoffy]

I did not take ACP 196 (Acalabrutinib), I took Idelalisib (Zydelig). I have had no stomach issues with any cancer mrdication.

[Hoffy in reply to mnmnewtons]

OK, Thanks, I am glad you are doing well.

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

Took a while for side effects to develop on ibrutinib ...other than constant diarrhea... pre-existing A.Fib got worse in month 2 and hair started to curl, then bleeding started in month 3... I was also on Xarelto a blood thinner, might have played a role...😋

Everyone is different... most patients do fine on it with minimal issues, and most are transient...resolving in a few weeks.

~chris

[Hoffy in reply to Cllcanada]

Chris, OK, Thanks,

I hope you are doing well!

[Hoffy]

Also- Did the Diarrhea start right away after your first dose?

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to Hoffy]

End of the first week as I recall... it subsided a bit by week 3 but never really completely disappeared...

I had no other stomach issues, don't take Imbruvica (ibrutinib) with food... read all the handouts and patient information at the link below... TWICE

imbruvica.com/docs/librarie...

[SunnyCA in reply to Cllcanada]

Interesting - why does it say not to take ibrutinib with food?

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to SunnyCA]

Never take with food, I was told... it increases the effect of Imbruvica (ibrutinib) substantually... faster uptake... not a good idea... but talk to your doctor.

~chris

[SunnyCA in reply to Cllcanada]

Wow, no one told me this! So if it increases uptake what does that mean? Does that mean you absorb better why is that a bad thing?

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to SunnyCA]

Talk to your doctor, I was told 18 months ago not to take it with food... this recommendarion may have changed...

[SunnyCA in reply to Cllcanada]

Just emailed my trial coordinator for clarification- will let you know what she says - I'm seen at Mayo Clinic

[Hoffy]

OK, Very good advise, Thanks- Mark

[shazie]

For me, stomach issues after three months.

[Dani26 in reply to shazie]

I have considered going to 140mg due to stomach problems

[fatbaldingoldgit]

FWIW I'm currently on the 2 year trial of ACP-196 (Acalabrutinib) for my WM...I've been on it for over a year now and have had no side effects at all.

[Hoffy]

Great. I have a friend with WM - I will tell him.

[annsathome]

30 mths on, my husband has had no stomach issues just some muscle aches and feels really well. Good luck!

[ohiojim]

I have been on Imbruvica for 10 mos and It's been miraculous. My platelet count was ranging from 1-50 all of 2015. I was hospitalized 4 times that year through the emergency room. Did all the chemo infusions. Nothing worked until Imbruvica in April 2016. Only side effect for me was fatigue. Doctor told me to take before going to bed since the fatigue was in the first 8 hrs.

[Hoffy in reply to ohiojim]

Ok. Thanks.

As taking it before you go to bed worked?

Now you don't have fatigue?

[ohiojim in reply to Hoffy]

I do have fatigue, but not as much during the day as I did when I took Imbruvica in the morning. Seems the fatigue peak happens now when I'm asleep.

[Theramae]

I've been on imburvica for almost three months now. The side effects hit me really hard the first day. Diarrhea, extreme fatigue and muscle pain, ulcers in mouth, palpitations , bruising and tinnitus which I have had for a few years now got much stronger. I lost quite a bit of hair during the first and second months. Most of these side effects have now subsided thankfully however, I still have the muscle and joint pain, dry mouth and now getting dry split nails.

If you look at my posting "day 1 ibrutinib" I got so much helpful feedback from the group here which has helped me tremendously in dealing with the side effects. What Chris mentioned above about taking it on an empty stomach really helped me.

I hope you won't get any of theses side effects as everyone's reactions are different, however if you do, the responses I received to my post are very helpful.

Good luck with your treatment.

[Hoffy in reply to Theramae]

Ok. Thanks.

So do you take on an empty stomach then?

That helped ?

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to Hoffy]

Always empty stomach..never with food... read the patient handout ... 3 pills with water...

[Theramae in reply to Hoffy]

Yes, exactly what Chris replied. Initially I tried taking it with food and side effects were a lot worse. Much more tolerable on an empty stomach.

[Kevin54613]

I got heartburn and diarrhea right away when I first started Imbruvica, my doctor gave me Prilosec for the heartburn. It took a month or so for that to subside. I still have extreme fatigue and muscle pain but my swollen lymph nodes are gone.

[Hoffy in reply to Kevin54613]

Ok. I hope your fatigue improves and heartburn. Hey person in my support her get gets heartburn.

If the Fatigue does not go away I hear ACP 196 is better. I have read of people switching from having no fatigue

[richutchens]

I've had no problems at all. Obviously each patient is different. I hope you see my same results.

[tomhenry2487]

I felt totally normal for the first week. The I had side effects including bone pain, mouth sores, rash constantly for 2 weeks but after that it subsided. I have never had GI issues and I've been on ibrutinib for almost 9 months. My physician said her experience is that the GI issues are over-stated in the literature. Now I have very transient side effects for a day or two here and there. My most noticeable issues have been joint/bone pain particularly in wrists and hands and muscle cramping that is not exercise related. Overall I have tolerated the medication very well and I am getting very positive results.

[Hoffy in reply to tomhenry2487]

Thanks!

[LivnwithCLL in reply to tomhenry2487]

Where did the rash appear ? Whole Body ? Face ? Thank you

[SunnyCA]

Within a week in my experience - but everyone is different. I was walking around all day and thought why do my ankles hurt so much thought it was my shoes - but in retrospect it was the drug. Then I started to get joint pain in legs mainly then hands and elbow and once my shoulder. Within 6 months it improved a lot. Now have some leg, foot, hand cramps but it passes. Never had stomach issues or any of the other side effects but had bruising , my skin is uber sensitive, and I've gotten little red things on my skin that do come and go. Anyway, Epson salt baths helped joint pain and I take calcium, magnesium, biotin supplements and I keep moving - it helps a lot. Skin is gettting a little better. I drink 2-3 liters of water in a day. Think the challenging thing is watching numbers go in right direction but so slowly compared to chemo. Amazing advance since chemo for sure though just have to be patient!

[MsChief in reply to SunnyCA]

I take Vitamin C, Magnesium,B12,D3, take Metamucil in prune juice (prior to Ibrutinib which I am taking 140mg every three days (started last November) bowels were loose). Have a lot of aching in body, worse in hands, fatigue, (history arthritis) ,legs swell, thinking if getting Support hose, 11q mutated, otherwise ok on Ibrutinib except for horrid winter of UTI's, ear and sinus issues. Plan follow up with Dr.JenniferBrown at Dana saw her last August. Probably time for IVIG, IgG was around 250 in January. Local hem/oncMD supportive but I know I need specialist full time. Carole in USA.

[SunnyCA in reply to MsChief]

I am 11q too. I'm going in for IVIG next week - anything under 400 and my Mayo oncologist likes to do those. My only side effect now is hyper sensitive skin - and some intermittent bruising after 9 months on the drug.

[Hoffy]

Thanks!

[RJR1]

I've been on over 6 months now and have had virtually no side effects. The only ones...occasional red blotches on my fore arms that go away in a day or two and more recently dry cracked skin at fingertips. I now use Eucerin frequently and about every other night grease up with petroleum jelly at night with surgical gloves. All in all...easy treatment

[tomhenry2487 in reply to RJR1]

As a pharmacist, I have had great success with dry cracking skin using lotions or creams that contain 10 or 20% urea. I recommend the gloves for best effect but it's less greasy than the petrolatum and I think works far better. For best results wet hands and just shake off the excess water, then apply lotion/cream and put on gloves. You can skip the gloves if you want but it may take a little longer. I have seen people heal overnight! Not every pharmacy carries these products so you may need to get them to special order it. Look in the diabetic or foot section also. I haven't worked on the retail side in years so not sure on brands available but I used to recommend Aquacare HP. Good Luck.

[RJR1 in reply to tomhenry2487]

I've been trying several different lotions and at night have used more ointment greasy types. I'll explore lotions with the urea content you suggest

One problem I hate greasy oily feeling things

Thank you

[Hoffy]

thanks!

[Hoffy]

Been on 2.5 weeks so far. Only side effect is some knee pains and some fatigue. Need to sleep more than usual.

[Hidden]

Thanks to everyone for sharing their ibrutinib experiences.

Wishing you all smooth sailing.

bill

[deb1610]

I will check in if anything new🙂

[Gracescooter]

My husband has mantle cell and is taking 4 imbruvica pill per day. He has been on it for about 6 week. Legs have gotten very weak and has been really tired. Yesterday he started experiencing anxiety. They gave him atavan but it just makes him sleep thru the anxiety. Any suggestions

[Hoffy]

I take mine at night before bed and that helps with fatigue and other issues. I had symptoms after about 1 week. I do yoga and that helps with aches. I know it is hard when you are tired though.

[catnapcrew]

Don't know how I missed these posts. Am asking about taking BEFORE food and late evening at tomorrows appointment. They told me to take on full stomach for better absorption. Cheers

[Hoffy]

Better absortion with food. but it can interact with food too. Maybe the combo is so strong against the CLL cell that it does not matter - hopefully