Single tablet Imbruvica

[W00dfin]

My pharmacy says they have a new single tablet 420 mg Imbruvica that they wanted to send out for my monthly shipment. I declined and asked for the usual 3 capsules version until I could consult my oncologist. What’s the consensus on this formulation?

[Rt2000]

I have been taking the single pill for a few months now. I did not have any problems with side effects with the capsules and no change with the pill. My numbers continue to be good, so it seems to be working just as well. While I do prefer taking 1 pill instead of 3 capsules, I don’t like the blister pack they come in. I would prefer a bottle. I pull my pills in a daily dispenser with my other pills, so the extra packaging is unnecessary and popping out the pills is kind of inconvenient to me.

[W00dfin in reply to Rt2000]

Thanks

[cook4650 in reply to W00dfin]

The dosage is just the same in the one pill as it was with the other 3 taken together. If your dosage remains the same (i.e. not just one or two capsules) then there isn't any difference. However, as others have said, the blister pack is a bit of a pain. It takes up more room in my med box, and if you put all your meds into a daily divider, you would have to open the whole blister pack and remove them. I also say it's bad for the environment!! WHY do we need all the cardboard and plastic?? Just put them all in one bottle and be done with it!

[Lola69 in reply to cook4650]

The blister pack is better as one does not make mistakes. I am still on the 3 daily capsules. We did not get it in Montreal Quebec

[Jemisavs5]

I can’t tolerate the three pills and can only take two. So I have to get the old tablets. I also do not like the big packaging. Too bulky and unnecessary.

[thompsonellen in reply to Jemisavs5]

I agree the packaging is wasteful. And now we get a 28 rather than 30 day supply. Otherwise, no difference to me.

[W00dfin in reply to thompsonellen]

Thanks

[W00dfin in reply to Jemisavs5]

Thanks

[livinglifewell]

I was not offered a choice to transfer from 3 capsules to one tablet, I was forced to make the change. I hate the bubble pack (they sent me a labeled amber bottle which I pop the tabs into) and it should be noted I no longer get 30 day supply, it's only 28 days in the bubble pack. I don't know if it was psychosomatic, but, I found my fatigue and diarrhea were exacerbated for about a month or two until my body acclimated to the switch in delivery. I'm not sure if it's because I don't have a stomach and the tablet was metabolized differently by my gut or not. I was told that the pharmaceutical company that had been supplying me for four years was bought out by a larger one, hence the change in delivery and packaging. I only presume it's the same product.

[W00dfin in reply to livinglifewell]

Thanks

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Pharmacyclics the company that got approval for Ibrutinib was acquired by AbbVie about 3 years ago. streetinsider.com/dr/news.p...

This year they announced a plan to have tablets of 140, 280, 420 and 560mg replace the 140 mg capsules. All doses would be sold at the same price for 28 tablets as the previous 90 capsules.

There was some hue and cry from patients and doctors, and eventually the company announced that the capsules would be available for now.

amp-businessinsider-com.cdn...

Len

[W00dfin in reply to lankisterguy]

Thanks

[Hidden]

I took the single dose pill for 2 months and as fast as I could went back to the 3 capsules!! I seemed to get side effects I didn't have before with the one tablet. Makes no sense, but I did.

[W00dfin in reply to Hidden]

Did you have similar side effects at the beginning of Ibrutinib?

[Hidden in reply to W00dfin]

No. Nothing but some additional aches and pains and bruising. But with the single pill I had headaches, and a lot of nausea which I never had with the 3 capsules. Have no idea why and neither did anybody else, but they put me back on the 3 capsules right away.

[W00dfin in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. I guess I will try it. I still have occasional joint pain but nothing major.

[maowen46]

I’ve been taking the one pill for about six months now. I had no problem with the three capsules and I have no problem with the one pill.

[maowen46 in reply to maowen46]

Oops! Hit send before I was through... The packaging leaves much to be desired!

[W00dfin in reply to maowen46]

That is what I am hearing

[W00dfin in reply to maowen46]

Thanks

[W00dfin in reply to maowen46]

Thanks

[colincll10]

the maker started to make only this size that's why you were offered this

my doc is looking to cut them up ? but doesn't know if its ok to do that yet

something to do with price eg

the big one is dearer drug company greed

colin

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero in reply to colincll10]

Never cut those pills.. they are polymer coated to release correctly...

~chris