Effect of Alcohol with Ibrutinib

[Anilbhard]

I enjoy one or two drinks of say 30-45 ml each per 7-10 days. Now on Ibrutinib for 7 weeks, can I take ; also what is likely effect of alcohol on this medicine--

Title correction - Admin

[Jm954 Administrator]

Oooh, I don't know!

Never thought about it but definitely worth knowing. I don't drink much alcohol but I'd hate to think I couldn't have a drink at all. Please let us now if you find out.

[Anilbhard in reply to Jm954]

Yes-- will surely reply, as I too enjoy occassional drink in moderation.

[Mike1724 in reply to Jm954]

Hi,

I have been on Ibrutinib for nearly 4 years and enjoy a beer or two most days without any side effects. I have found that I no longer like wine, red or white. It tastes awefull. Before The Chemo I really enjoyed red wine?

Don’t worry this is an excellent drug and if you enjoy a drink, go for it.

Mike

[virdieblue]

I am on Ibrutinib and my oncologist allows me 3 glasses of wine a week. He says alcohol effects bone marrow, but didn't say it interfered with Ibrutinib.

Virginia

[Anilbhard]

Thanks.

[David73]

We are all different and it seems that there is not a direct problem relating alcohol and Ibrutinib. We are told we need to look after our bodies more carefully though, healthy food and good exercise. In my case I developed Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation at Christmas time and this may be related to Ibrutinib and drinking, drinking alcohol makes this side effect worse and seems to increase the risk of a stroke. So, for me, I am avoiding alcohol, exercising more and being even more careful with my healthy eating regime.

I wouldn't have thought that a moderate amount of alcohol would have an adverse effect on most people taking Ibrutinib and may help psychologically.

[ballyhoo]

I quit drinking 5 years ago in June , but I had chemo in 08.But who knows it could be good for us. Just a little, 0 for me. Cheers.

[Anilbhard]

Thanks for your kind feedback

[Kevin54613]

I have always been a light drinker, weekends only, 1 or 2 drinks. When I was diagnosed with CLL in 2013 I started drinking a little more wine on weekends, really enjoyed it, maybe 2-3 drinks - 3 days per week. Had wine tastings at our home. Seemed to relax me, joints felt better, felt good in the morning. When I started Imbruvica at the beginning of 2016 I noticed my favorite wines no longer tasted good and I would feel hung over sometimes from only I glass. My doctor says I can have 2 glasses per week. But, have been on Imbruvica for about 14 months now and no longer drink much because the alcohol seems to make me sick.

[LoganS in reply to Kevin54613]

I have the same question about drinking alcohol with CLL. I have been drinking 2 glasses of wine every evening. My CLL doctor at Mayo has not mentioned the subject. I live a very healthy lifestyle otherwise.

[cartwheels in reply to LoganS]

My doctor told me to live as normal and that includes drinking whilst in ww. I remember going for one 6 month check after a night out and said my bloods could be bad today as I was drinking last night he laughed and said it does not matter. But I'm now about to start treatment so will ask again

[LoganS in reply to cartwheels]

Cartwheels, was he a CLL specialists?

[cartwheels in reply to LoganS]

Yes

[profrich in reply to LoganS]

Did you get afib having those two glasses of wine every evening? I am beginning to think my two nightly drinks have something to do with my arithmea problem on ibrutine.

[profrich in reply to LoganS]

Did you get afib while having two drinks a night? I think my two nightly drinks may have something to do with my arithmea problem on ibrutinin.

[mombasa333]

I had and loved my Mango Margaritas. I only had 1-2/ month. Not much by comparison to the intake of alcohol to many others.

I decided to ditch the Margaritas completely, not worth it. I'm taking ever possible step imaginable to destroy CLL chances.

[Mcpill]

I never drank hard liquor prior to CLL, - only wine, champagne and brandy. I stopped drinking except for the occasional glass for celebrations because I believe imbruvica is metabolized in the liver, and I want to make sure nothing interferes with that. As most have noted, I was not told to stop drinking, nor did I read anything in the Imbruvica info to indicate alcohol was prohibited. Early in my treatment I noticed that when I had a bit of brandy, I seemed to develop more leg cramps. Too painful, so dropped brandy. Interesting to hear others experiences. Thanks!

[Anilbhard]

Took 30-40 ml scotch last weekend , aft starting my treatment 7 weeks back. So far so good. So thought to drink once in 10-15 days only, as they say can take one glass of wine ( which is not that good in India), twice a week

[Lenny123]

Alcohol is metabolized in the liver p450 system, pretty sure Ibrutanib is too. If so would make sense that alcohol is not as well tolerated. My limit is now 1/2 pint of beer or equivalent. Enjoy the taste and quite a little buzz creeps in even at that small amount. Tells me that there is a cross effect.

Ah well, the ultimate in cheap date??

[Anilbhard]

Thanks, for sharing