New guy to the group.

[wondering1]

I take my Imbruvica before breakfast, and was wondering if it can be taken after a meal. Evidently I am one of the lucky ones that have had no noticeable side effects from the medicine.

[PlanetaryKim]

Hi wondering - and welcome to the group. As far as I know, Imbruvica can be taken with food or on empty stomach. No specific prescribing instructions in that regard. I take mine first thing in morning on empty stomach, mainly for ease of remembering.

kim

[Panz]

I am very new to taking Imbruvica...started on January 5th and was told I could take it anytime with or without food....just take it the same time each day. I decided on 10:30pm as that was the best time for me to take the Leukeran when I was on that as that could cause slight neausa and I was working some very long hours. It is working out great....so far no side effects! ☘️🙏💕

[cajunjeff]

Wondering, I agree with those who write that you can take ibrutinib whenever you want, so long as you take it at the same time each day.

But what has me wondering, wondering, is why you would fix what ain’t broke. If you are having zero side effects taking it before breakfast, I would consider not changing.

Unfortunately I find myself constantly changing times because I just forget now and then to take it in the morning and have to take it in the evening. I then gradually try to get back on my morning schedule, I don’t like drinking a lot of water before bed. I have had some side effects, but nothing to complain about.

[annmcgowan]

Hi you need to take ibrutinib on an empty stomach. This means 2 hours after food or 30 mins before.

Ann

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to annmcgowan]

Ann, I think those instructions may be specifically for people on the FLAIR trial, to help them analyse results without too many variable factors that might confuse the picture.

I am not with Flair but was told I could take it any way that suited me, as long as it was just once a day at the same time.

paula

P.S. Taking ibrutinib on an empty stomach is probably a good idea though, as I've heard that taking it with food means it stays longer in our systems and may lead to more side effects.

[annmcgowan]

Thanks Paula I did know that.

Ann

[annmcgowan in reply to annmcgowan]

Hi Paula sorry I meant to say ‘I did not know’ that.

Thank you for alerting me to that I will ask my specialist when I see him.

It would be useful sometimes not to follow the rules he has set out.

Ann

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to annmcgowan]

Hi Ann,

Thanks for your reply. Sorry I didn't respond earlier, but I didn't see it because you'd written it (in HU eyes) as a reply to yourself rather than to me. So HU didn't send me a notification. That often happens on this site, and I think people often miss replies to their responses because of that.

Anyway, I'll be interested to hear what your specialist says when you see him. I suspect he'll say you should keep to the rules of FLAIR, ie continue taking Ibrutinib an hour before food or two hours after. That might be more for the sake of cutting down on variable factors in the FLAIR trial, rather than other reasons...

wondering1 , I hope you're continuing to do well on ibrutinib, and not having any side effects, whatever time you decide to take it.

Best wishes to all,

Paula

[june65]

I am on the Flair trial and that states one hour before food or two hours after. I take mine when I wake in the morning and then have my breakfast an hour later. I am lucky that I am retired and don’t have a set routine to stick to. My husband is also on Ibrutinib (reduced dose) as he has other health issues and he takes his at night before he goes to bed.

June

[wondering1]

Thanks guys and gals for the info, I really appreciate it.

[BeckyLUSA]

I have taken it morning, evening, before and after meals. No difference!

BeckyL USA

[annmcgowan]

Hi Paula thanks for the reply and the information on posting. I will post his reply.

Regards

Ann