Does anyone else have trouble with the new ibrance packs? I like the new tablet, which is easier to swallow. However, the new packaging is hard for me to open. Each pill has to be pushed out of the pack as needed. I have arthritis and it's hard for me to push the pill out, especially with my thumbs. I now have my husband remove the tablets for me, and I really didn't need another thing that I can't do for myself! We shouldn't have to struggle to get our pills out of the package, or have to figure out which tool to use to get the pill out. I have contacted my pill provider, my oncologist, and Pfizer with my complaint. PS I'm new here. I'm trying to make as much noise as I can about the packaging of Ibrance, which has been keeping me stable for the past 3 years. None of us should have to struggle with packaging; that should be the easy part.
Ibrance packaging: Does anyone else... - SHARE Metastatic ...
Ibrance packaging
Hi howsthis....I'm sorry you're having this issue with the new packaging! I'm able to open it, but it is a pain in the neck, and I just commented to someone the other day that they're so "overpackaged"...Like, why have to much packaging for 21 pills?
If you're good about taking your pills and have a way to remember if you've taken them (I've always been terrible with this...so I do like the days marked on the new packaging), maybe ask your husband to just remove a month's worth at one time? Might be less annoying this way... 
Take care,
Lynn
i was told by my specialty pharmacist that the new tablets cannot be removed until needed due to stability issues. i've always kept track of my meds with a pill case that holds a month of pills. i could have my ibrance and other meds together. no thinking involved. i have talked to other ibrance users who also have trouble with the new pack. some use scissors to open it; one uses tweezers to take off the cardboard then pierce the foil. we shouldn't have to figure out which tool to use to get the tablet out. and i agree with you about all the packaging. by the time i've got two tablets out the card is all wonky! i just think this is all too much work and struggle for all of us who already have much to deal with in our lives. we need this part to be easy.
As an architect I must say this package is over-designed and ridiculous. Now I know why 2 of my college classmates went to work for big pharma. I have it figured out now so I don't need help - I use my knuckle or a spoon (as someone on this board suggested). I complained about how they shipped it to me in Arizona so now I get a nice little styrofoam cooler with it every month. Waiting for my 14 round to arrive today.
i just feel that we shouldn't need to "figure out" how to get our meds out of a package. i have my husband get it out for me, although i really didn't need to have another thing that i need help with. i really hope they will change the packaging or change the pill design so it can be bottled. the ibrance itself is a wonderful thing and has worked well for me.
Hi there, oh I am with you. That packaging drives me batty. Never mind the fact that I can’t place them in my pill sorter and that pungent taste 😖
I pull out the heavy duty scissors to get at them when I have trouble with “popping them out”
Be safe 🙂
Tara
Hi how's this,
I run my fingernail around the cardboard side and pull the cardboard out and get pill. It is much easier for me. I can't push the other side through.
Welcome to the board. You will find a lot of nice folks here just for you. Blessings Hannah
my fingernails are dry and a bit cracked from meds, so even that small task is difficult for me. and forget the pushing through! that's tough.
and yes, this is a friendly place. i was looking for more opinions on the ibrance pack and ended up here. thank you for the welcome!
Welcome on here ! I will have been on Ibrance 3 years in December , so a similar timeframe to yourself . Glad you are doing well ! The design of the packaging sounds terrible , but I’m glad the tablets go down well ! We are still on the old -style capsules in the U.K. ( maybe bought too many upfront in case of Brexit supply problems ? !) x
It seems like a lot of folks have problems opening the package. I guess a small knife will be best. Since Pfizer used white solid bottles packed 21 to a bottle before and now packaging to keep air and light out, there must be a reason. Blessings Hannah
I hate it! So hard to get the pills out and they have a nasty taste. I asked my onc & he wrote my rx to say capsules specifically.
great! i must ask mine if he can do that, too. the whole point of changing to a tablet was so we didn't always have to take it with food. they meant well but messed up on the packaging. i've been reaching out to whoever will listen to get them to change it. i don't know if everyone will be able to choose which they get, but i don't think anyone should be bothered by that packaging. thanks for the input! take care
I am taking these new pills since May and every month I was taking them from original packaging and putting them in the pill organizer! Thanks to you and other ladies I found out that I was doing it all wrong! I call Pfizer and they said you shouldn’t have remove them from packaging! I was thinking, wasn’t it nice at in the beginning they would’ve let us know about this? I am so 😡
My husband couldnt find it anywhere in the paperwork to not take them out early. We weren't given proper instructions. I sent pfizer another email today, and will keep at it. I've been telling them about the experiences of other ibrance users, anonymously, of course. They need to know that many of us are struggling. Ty
Because they never gave us instruction or any tips to, on how to take them! I called Pfizer yesterday and she told we aren’t supposed to unpack them!
I like the fact that I don't have to worry if I missed a day. Also I understand because this is a chemo med that it needs to be securely kept until used. Yes, it is hard to get out and I feel for those who find it difficult. Personally I like it better.
Yep, the new packaging is tough! I have arthritis in both of my thumbs, so that doesn't help. I agree with everyone else. It is over-packaged.
yes! i took my complaints to my onc and she was not happy that we are having problems with the new ibrance packaging. she called my specialty pharmacy and ordered me a new scrip for the capsules in the bottle! apparently, we have a choice. i still don't understand why they were able to change our scrip to the tablets without our or our doc's permission. i would've understood a trial month, but not changing our scrip, especially when the capsules are still available. i'm not sure they can do this overseas, but for now i will be able to have the easy-to-get-out capsules. ask your onc if he or she can do this for you.
Thanks so much about the bottle info. I will ask my onc for that change!
i finally was able to get a bottle of the capsules. however, the agent at the specialty pharmacy was unclear about them being always available. she said she was unsure if they would make more of the tablets and might eventually run out, but she wasn't definite. my onc is going to bring it up with the pfizer rep to suggest changing the packaging on the new tablet, or changing the tablet itself. pfizer needs to listen and give us a little help here!
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