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Ibrance- capsules now tablets?

Glas0824 profile image
19 Replies

Hi I’m just over two years in Ibrance and doing well. Bone mets stable and biggest side effect is fatigue. It took my body a while to get used to the Ibrance and I’m on 75mgs. I noticed my latest prescription is now tablets instead of capsules. Has anyone had this switch and noticed any different side effects? Thanks 😊

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Glas0824 profile image
Glas0824
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19 Replies
BluHydrangea profile image
BluHydrangea

I started tablets last summer. The biggest difference for me is that the tablets are easier on my stomach. I can take tablets without food!

Also— make sure to leave tablets in the blister packs( don’t place them in the pill organizers) my understanding is that they begin to break down out of the blister packs.

I think you will be positively pleased at the difference! Best Wishes!

Cindi

Glas0824 profile image
Glas0824 in reply toBluHydrangea

Thank you! Positively pleased I like! I think any change brings a little apprehension x

BluHydrangea profile image
BluHydrangea in reply toGlas0824

Yes, just like beginning the treatment..... but I think you will have good results with the tabs! Let me know how you do on them.

stardust1965 profile image
stardust1965

I’ve been on Ibrance since December 2018 and for some time I’ve been on the lowest dose of 75 because of low neutrophils. I get the usual fatigue, joint pain, dry eyes and dry skin. I prefer the new tablets over the capsules.BUT I have just finished my first month on the new tablets and my neutrophils dropped to 0.28!! There was a delay in getting my blood results back over the Easter weekend so I went back on treatment as usual not knowing how low the numbers were. I recall someone here previously asking if the tablets could have caused this. I don’t know but I really don’t want to stop this treatment either.The only other thing I can think of was that I had my first Oxford Astra Zeneca Covid vaccine 48 hours before my blood test.

Has anyone else had this happen?

Vicki

Glas0824 profile image
Glas0824 in reply tostardust1965

Thanks- I’m sure the vaccine will have made the difference. I’m getting 2nd vaccine at the end of my week off so hopefully will help. If I’m the same next month I’ll let you know

stardust1965 profile image
stardust1965 in reply toGlas0824

Please do. I’m hoping it’s just the vaccine but I don’t know the science to back that up. I’ll defer to my onc for now and wait to hear her take on it.

caw517 profile image
caw517 in reply tostardust1965

I have not had a problem with the tablets and have had them for quite a while now. I did have my neutrophils drop dramatically last month to an all time low and I have been on ibrance for 5 years . This was only a few days after my second Pfizer vaccination. We postponed the Ibrance and within 2 weeks my counts were back up to an even higher than usual number !! Gotta wonder if it was the vaccine.

stardust1965 profile image
stardust1965 in reply tocaw517

Wow five years on Ibrance! That’s wonderful! We all want that. Perhaps the low neutrophils are as a result of the vaccine. I just hope they bounce back next month.

Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie in reply tostardust1965

My neutrophyls dropped ( from 1.26 to 0.95 , my lowest ever ) after my first vaccine ( AstraZeneca) , which were taken 48 hours after my vaccine . I was shivery the night of the vaccine .Surprisingly my neutrophyls didn’t drop 48 hours after my second Astra vaccine (which was 8 weeks after my first ) . But I am 12 days after my second vaccine now and haven’t had any side effects after the second ( apart from injection site in the arm being sore if pressed for a few days ) . I hope your neutrophyls go back up next cycle ! Stay safe ! x

stardust1965 profile image
stardust1965 in reply toTeddielottie

Thank you. I’m not sure if it was the vaccine but it’s good to hear I’m not alone in the neutrophils dropping. I didn’t have any side effects from the vaccine so hoping the antibodies will still know to do their thing if they ever need to. Stay safe.

Teddielottie profile image
Teddielottie in reply tostardust1965

I am also on the new tablets (Ibrance) and prefer taking them , but I still choose to take after food , with lots of water . I have also started taking a small spoon of green powder daily added to juice , to help my immune system . x

Glas0824 profile image
Glas0824 in reply toTeddielottie

Thanks I’m getting my second vaccine on Saturday so that’s reassuring!

Boogitymom profile image
Boogitymom

I had been on Ibrance 125 mg capsules for 4 1/2 years and only had to delay my restart 3 times due to low neutrophils. Since switching to the capsules, every month I’ve had to delay my restart for 2-3 weeks. They have now lowered me to 100 mg for the last 3 months and neutrophils are still low but I’ve only had to delay my restart 1 week. I’ve talked to the specialty pharmacist and Pfizer, both claim no only else is having this issue and there is no difference between the capsule and tablet, just seems coincidental to me. I worry the delay gives the the cancer a head start for progression.

stardust1965 profile image
stardust1965 in reply toBoogitymom

I hear you! I’m now waiting to hear back from the oncologist about the low neutrophils. I’m indoors and not going out so don’t expect to pick up any nasties, or worse. I don’t know what has caused them to plummet and really hope it is not the capsules having an impact.🤞I am so pleased you are having such a good run with Ibrance and long may it continue. 😀 We all want that. 🤞

MaryCos profile image
MaryCos

I had worse side effects on the capsules than the tablets. Was on capsules for my first month of Ibrance only, where I had ongoing headaches, complete hair/eyebrow loss, and really elevated joint pain. I feel great on the tablets. Still have some side effects, but I have done much better since switching to tabs.

FYI, I am starting my 7th cycle of Ibrance today.

Maludagui profile image
Maludagui

Well , hi ladies 🌺 I am on 31 cycles Ibrance. I am don’t feel differences Only I note the taste is no good when the pill touch my tongue. My last test was stable. And blood test is “normal” I stop ibrance when I put both dosis vaccine. For 2 weeks after and before the 💉 I send a big hug from Houston 🌺

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

I'm on tablets. Wish I could get capsules. They were more easily tolerated!

Glas0824 profile image
Glas0824 in reply tomariootsi

Oh that’s a pity- do they make you feel unwell?

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi in reply toGlas0824

Yes. I don't feel as well on the tablets. I have more acid reflux and stomach sensitivity.

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