Pfizer Ibrance bottle

[hdhonda]

Have any of you (especially) those in the U.S. ever received your Ibrance from your specialty pharmacy in a regular medicine bottle. I have always received mine in the sealed Pfizer bottle with the specialty pharmacy label also attached. I am afraid to take it. My pharmacy has lied so many times. They have told me about fake studies that says Ibrance can go from -4 F to 104 F. Both Pfizer and the FDA say no and that it needs to be at room temperature. Please let me know. I am terrified to take it . Blessings Hannah

[Aimee95]

hdhonda,

I have been on for 18 months and it has ALWAYS been in a sealed Pfizer bottle from the specialty pharmacy. I even have to sign off that it is in good condition with no damage or broken seals when it is delivered by FedEx. That being said I don't know if that is just my pharmacies protocol or everyone's. I would definitely call the pharmacy and find out and if they did send it that way ask why.... These drugs are far too expensive to be in the wrong package. Ibrance just enhances the effects of Letrozole so waiting a couple of days to take it is fine. Dr 's will keep us off it when counts are too low for an extra week or more to recover. Hugs to you and let me know how you make out. Aimee

[hdhonda in reply to Aimee95]

Aimee, My thoughts exactly. This will be my 36th month and it looks to be like they send a bottle that has been previously opened. Thanks so much. Blessings Hannah

[MG52 in reply to Aimee95]

Hi Aimee,

I noticed your comment encouraging hdhonda to get her meds checked out. I agree!

I also noticed your comment about Ibrance just "enhances the effects of Letrozole". I think it is much more. While it is not in the traditional infusion drip form, it is a very potent chemotherapy. It does not just prevent estrogen from feeding our cancer cells like Letrozole. My understanding is that Ibrance kills cells, cancer cells and healthy cells, that is why our counts get so low.

I hope you will talk to your doctor more about it and if I am mistaken please forgive me.

[Buffwright in reply to MG52]

Exactly! It doubles the effect of Letrozole or better. I’ve been on both since May 2016!

[Justme153]

I would not take the medication !!! Take it to a local pharmacy and ask if they can check it for you. Explain how it usually comes and that you are concerned!!!

[hdhonda in reply to Justme153]

Good advice. I will email the CEO today. They still have time to get a new bottle Wednesday. I think it comes in the manufacturer bottle because light cannot get to it. The pill case that Pfizer gives us has a kid to keep it in the dark. Blessings Hannah

[Barbteeth]

In the UK they’re in plastic pop outs...never in a bottle

Barb xx

[hdhonda in reply to Barbteeth]

Barb,

I replied to me instead of you. Thanks. I hope we get them like that soon. Blessings Hannah

[hdhonda]

Thanks Barb. Blessings, Hannah

[hdhonda]

Thanks, Sandra. How is your husband? I have said prayers for him. I hope his tests were favorable. Blessings Hannah

[Teddielottie]

In the U.K. Ibrance capsules come in blister packs in a sealed Ibrance carton . Mine says expires May 2022 !

I did just notice , however, on the US Ibrance site, that they are changing the current gelatin coated capsules( in the bottles ) to smooth -coated tablets in blister packs . They will still be in the existing 3 doses (75mg, 100mg,125mg) .I hope we get those in the U.K. as it says the smooth tablets can be taken with or without food and are free of lactose or gelatin , which I would prefer . The new tablets will have to be kept in their original blister packs .. x

[hdhonda in reply to Teddielottie]

Wow!! That is good news. Thanks. Blessings Hannah

[Teddielottie in reply to hdhonda]

Yes it might be of interest to other ladies in the U.S. on here , who are taking Ibrance , as it is very recent ( was dated January 2020) . But I hope you manage to return your opened bottle and get it replaced! ...maybe the pharmacy is trying to use up old supplies!!!!x

[hdhonda in reply to Teddielottie]

They have to replace a lot of mine due to shipping way outside the allowed range. I think they are trying to keep me from checking manufacturer numbers. I check each one to make sure they don't ship me one that I returned. Blessings Hannah

[13plus in reply to Teddielottie]

Thanks for letting us know about that! I’m happy to hear they will be without lactose though to be honest I much prefer taking the slim little capsule. And for whatever reason I’ve always hated blister packs! Oh well.

[Hidden]

I have received mine both ways. When I changed drugstore they put it in a normal bottle but I mentioned to them I liked to have the actual bottle to ensure I was getting the correct dosage (due to an issue with a dose ). They keep it in the original bottle.

[hdhonda in reply to Hidden]

Sarcie,

Are you in the U.S.? Blessings Hannah

[Hidden in reply to hdhonda]

Canada

[hdhonda in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[hdhonda in reply to Hidden]

Yes. Florida. Blessings, Hannah

[Teddielottie]

Wishing you and your husband all the best xx

[hdhonda]

I can't imagine the stress waiting this long for answers. How is he feeling? Blessings to both of you. Hannah

[NPmary]

I've always received it in the sealed Phizer bottle.

Why don't you call a Phizer pharmacist check out the web site. Can you go thru a different pharmacy?

[hdhonda in reply to NPmary]

Thanks. My insurance won't let me go through a different pharmacy. I tried that because of shipping outside of range . I take medicine out when it arrives and put thermometer in to check temperature. I haven't been able to find a way to protect from cold but keep trying using fridge and various packing materials with thermometer. Thanks. Blessings Hannah

[13plus in reply to hdhonda]

I would think you’re room would be a more appropriate place than the fridge? Surely your house is not so cold?

[hdhonda in reply to 13plus]

I keep it in a cabinet. I use the fridge for testing the wrapping material. I take Ibrance out of packaging and put thermometer in. Chemo drugs can become toxic when not protected from extreme weather. Blessings Hannah

[13plus in reply to hdhonda]

If it becomes seemingly appropriate I would also tell the insurance company about drugs not being in original bottle. They are the ones subsidizing the script.

[myrtice]

I live in the U S and get my Ibrance through a specialty pharmacy through the veterans administration. I’ve been in it for 6 months and it always comes in a medicine bottle. You can never be too care with your medicine. It’s wise to ask questions if things don’t look normal. You can also google the medicine and see what your pills should look like. Blessings my friend.

[hdhonda in reply to myrtice]

Thanks Myrtice. Blessings Hannah

[brake4country]

Have you checked the pills themselves? They should say Pfizer and "PBC" which is the name palbocilib along with the dose below it.

[hdhonda in reply to brake4country]

The pills are correct but they have been transferred from the sealed Pfizer bottle into a brown normal medicine bottle. I can't wrap my head around why they would take them out of a sealed bottle and put them in an unsealed bottle. Blessings Hannah

[brake4country in reply to hdhonda]

Perhaps because of bulk ordering?

[mariootsi]

I receive my Ibrance in a sealed Pfizer bottle with the specialty pharmacy label and directions.

I have never worried about taking it.

Hannah, I think you are fine.

[hdhonda in reply to mariootsi]

This is the first time that I have not received in a sealed Pfizer bottle. Thanks for replying. Blessings Hannah

[brake4country]

Hi Hannah. I've received both. My pharmacy's protocol is to give generic when available. Mine usually come in a brown pharmacy bottle. I think you are fine. Xoxo

[hdhonda in reply to brake4country]

Brake, are you in U.S.? Blessings Hannah

[13plus in reply to brake4country]

There is no such thing as generic iBrance at this point though

[hdhonda in reply to 13plus]

I thought that too but wasn't sure. Blessings Hannah

[PJBinMI]

I'd call Pfizer about this, and also tell them about the problems you have had with this specialty pharmacy. This has been an interesting thread to me as when I was on Ibrance in 2016 it always came in an elaborately sealed blister pack. That was awhile ago and my memory isn't the best these days, but I think I had to sign for the package. I wouldn't be worried about missing several days of taking it.. The other med you are on is really the "main" one in managing cancer. I often think those here give Ibrance and the other newer targeted drugs too much credit for their successful treatment. But I had a bad experience with it and now have permanent lung damage from it. Anybody on it needs to take the warnings about potential breathing problems very seriously and stop taking it and contact your onc. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm (my cat's comment, this happens all too frequently!)

[hdhonda in reply to PJBinMI]

PJB, thank you. Are you in the UK? It is appearing that UK gets blister paks, Canada brown medicine bottles and US white Pfizer bottles with pharmacy label over Pfizer label. Blessings Hannah

[Birdee in reply to hdhonda]

Actually in Canada the white Pfizer ones as well.

[PJBinMI in reply to hdhonda]

I'm in the US. When I was on Ibrance in 2016, I'm pretty sure that everybody in the US got them in the blister packs from specialty pharmacies. And fewer warnings......

[oilermama]

My IBrance used to come in a care pack. Loved it and was easy to use. It also kept me on track so I couldn’t miss a dose. Now I get it in the Ibrance bottle. I understand your concern.

[hdhonda in reply to oilermama]

What is a care back? Where are you? Thanks for replying. Blessings Hannah

[13plus]

I wouldn’t take it. Well I doubt it would harm you if it had gone out of the temp ranges (just ineffective) but it should be sealed in the brand bottle.

I would complain. If they don’t have a good response, as in replace it, I would contact Pfizer directly.

[hdhonda in reply to 13plus]

The temperature wasn't a problem this time. It was the fact they removed it from the Pfizer bottle and put in plain bottle with no seal. Blessings Hannah

[oilermama]

The care pack was the ibrance in a bubble pack with the opportunity to write the date nearby. In Michigan.

[Birdee]

I'm in Canada, however l dont blame you for your concern. I would find a normal med container extremely unusual particularly seeing as these are chemo meds and should not be handled. They are cytotoxic . I was told also to keep them at a stable temp. Is there anyone at Pfizer you can talk to...sounds like they should know about this.

[hdhonda in reply to Birdee]

I will call them tomorrow if the pharmacy gives me any grief. Blessings Hannah

[Rbeth]

I returned my Ibrance when it was delivered in a plastic ups bag in the summer. I call each time and have it shipped in a styrofoam box.

Call Pfizer. They have Care Representatives that contact me periodically to answer questions and have sent me a Care book and recipes.

We need to make the pharmacies accountable.

My oncologist told me Ibrance has a 4 hour window to take it. I set an alarm on my watch for 6 PM. Letrozole is forgiving and I take it at bedtime.

Good Luck. Thanks Reenie

[hdhonda in reply to Rbeth]

I check the tracking number to see where it has been because I need to check for stability during shipping. That is where I have had most of my problems. This is the first time I have received it in a regular pill bottle. I wonder if they are sending me back a bottle that I previously returned. Blessings Hannah

[hdhonda]

Thanks Sandra. Mine comes from the specialty pharmacy that my insurance requires me to use. I just can't think of a good reason to take it out of the Pfizer bottle and transfer to a regular bottle. I have a trust issue with them which is well deserved. Blessings Hannah

[AuntyJane]

I haven’t had this with Ibrance but noticed my statin refill (generic for Crestor) changed this last time. I used to get it in 30 day supply x 3 bottles and it came from manufacturer. This time it came in a brown bottle with a label the Cigna tel-drug pharmacy created with 90 days in 1 bottle. Now I’m wondering why...will call them tomm. But it’s so much different with Ibrance...as you said there’s no reason to repackage. With my statin it may be a cost/save postage thing.

[hdhonda in reply to AuntyJane]

AuntyJane,

My generic Crestor has changed more than once. I don't worry about that because it is generic and they buy from the cheapest manufacturer. Ibrance can only be bought from Pfizer. Blessings Hannah

[hdhonda]

Sandra, I agree with you totally. Mine is the specialty drug company that my drug insurance requires me to use. Let us know when you know more about your husband. Blessings Hannah

[Eliactida1955]

I receive my Ibrance from a speciality pharmacy and I used to sign for it first two times but now I don’t . It is not sealed just in a little zip baggie with childproof lid but it is sealed inside. I store it at room temp.

[hdhonda in reply to Eliactida1955]

Eliactida, Is it in the Pfizer bottle with the foil seal? I would request your specialty pharmacy to require a signature. You don't want them to leave it at the door. You could be responsible if something happens to it. Blessings, Hannah

[Justme153]

I'm glad someone asked about your husband as I've been wondering how his test turned out. Still hoping you get good news and the stress of all this can be over. Take Care!!

[Eliactida1955]

Thanks we are safe here -home most of the day-retired...

[Eliactida1955]

Sorry -yes it is in the Pfizer bottle.

[Kate407]

I have my Ibrance delivered from the Pfizer Specialty Pharmacy directly to my local Walgreens Store. I have this done, because of the extreme temps here in Denver (and Porch Pirates who steal packages right off your doorstoop!).

[hdhonda]

Thanks.