Verzenio 150 mg

[Djd60]

Hi ladies, can anyone help me on a treatment called Verzenio , it’s in the family of Ibrance which I am currently on but having issues with low WBC monthly, to the point I can’t start my meds each month on time but am doing pretty good on , another Doctors opinion on being advised to take this instead and claim’s your WBC won’t be low on Verzenio but could lead to diarrhea for maybe a week and nauseous, when I did research on this drug it says you can get low WBC also, so asking the opinion of others dealing with this treatment or who have been on it in the past there side effects of this drug and did you do well on it, I would greatly appreciate any advice on this before I switch treatment plans , thank you and God Bless all of you !

[Wintervt]

Hello,I’ve been taking Verzenio since August of 2021. I started on 150 mg but my WBC was super low, so my oncologist switched me to 100 mg. I have not had any problems with my WBC since the switch. The only side effect I have is nausea. Also, my last scans were stable and my tumor markers are continuing to trend down.

Jade

[Djd60 in reply to Wintervt]

Thank you for such quick response on this matter, so glad you are doing well , prayers your way and thank you !

[Arisgram]

Hey there! I was put on Verzenio last summer after SBRT for liver mets. My response was much different than most folks. I was so sick and weak. It was just awful for me. Unrelenting diarrhea and fatigue. I progressed in the first 90 days, so I moved to Ibrance/fulvestrant. I don't remember WBC being much better on Verzenio over Ibrance, but I was so sick, I didn't pay close attention.

Praying you have the experience most seem to with mild SE and no progression!

Much love, Andi

[Djd60 in reply to Arisgram]

Thank you for your quick response, it sounds almost like the Pickray treatment I was on, I don’t think I will try this treatment if the Ibrance 75 mg are still working and If Verzenio is causing low WBC too no since on switching to deal with diarrhea and maybe not eating too , I will hold off till the Ibrance doesn’t work for me anymore, I will deal with monthly low wbc instead , thank you for letting me know this !

[Discocat]

Hi

Has your oncologist tried a reduced dose and/or a longer break time between cycles? That seems to be the general protocol before switching brands.

From what I know there are 3 different brands of this type of targeted therapy. Ibrance (Palbociclib) was the first to be released, then Kisqali (Ribociclib) came out, followed by Verzenio (Abemaciclib).

They all seem to be interchangeable. I started on Kisqali, but was changed to Ibrance recently as my liver could not tolerate it. So each has slightly different sensitivities.

I haven’t tried Verzenio, but many here have and it seems that the side effects get better over time.

Good luck with your treatments

Best wishes Zoe xx

[kpgirl]

Hello! I am in the exact same boat you are. After almost 2 years on Ibrance with many pauses and countless blood tests due to neutropenia, I have been switched to Verzenio and just started on Saturday. I asked my onc the same question you did: if neutropenia is also a side effect with Verzenio, then why switch? They said neutropenia is less often a side effect with Verzenio than with Ibrance, but diarrhea more common. Side effects are different for everyone, so we will just have to give it a try. I wish us both the best of luck. So far so good after 5 days

[8576]

I am on Verzenio. (100mgs) twice a day. plus Tamoxifen whicch has been studied and found to be just as effective at 5 mg. as 100. The first scan since starting showed progression. The second scan showed stable. So hang in there.

Cheers, June S.

[luckysmom13]

I've been on Verzenio for 4 years. My WBC is usually at the lower end of normal. It has worked very well for me. The side effects (fatigue, stomach issues) are worth it for this result.

[hurricaneheather]

mets dx July 2015. treatment plan August 2015: Ibrance, Letrozole (Anastrozole), Lupron (Zoladex). still on first line of treatment; AI and injection were (changed). this body did not do well with the 'high' dose of Ibrance. thus, the onc lowered the dose to 100, then lowered it to 75mg. have been on lowest dose since the end of 2015. the onc has allowed Ibrance 'vacations,' as well as changing the rounds, to accommodate this body. stable/NEAD since March 2016. may you make the decision that is right for your mind-body.

[purplelikep]

I had lowish blood counts on Verzenio but nothing to drop me below the 150mg dose. I had progression though so I've since moved on. Got like 5 months on it. I had some diarrhea and fatigue but I also take metformin and I think that ultimately but my other meds eventually halted the diarrhea for more of a constipation effect.

If anyone needs 150mg packs, I have two unopen and unused that I'd love to pass on.

[USIrishcolleen]

Hello Djd60,

I was diagnosed with ER+/PR+ HER- in Nov. 2019. I was on 125 mg of Ibrance and anastrozole until the oncologist stopped this combo in preparation for surgery, to let my WBC’s recover prior to my lumpectomy and lymph node removal (18 removed, cancer in only the one that they already knew had cancer in it.)

In March of 2021 I was switched to Verzenio 150 mg twice a day, and continuing the anastrozole. My WBC’s were on the low end of normal range on both medications. The diarrhea caught me off guard initially, but then I got som disposable underwear, although, I never had another accident. Luckily I was home when I had the diarrhea “accident.” I got used y to o the diarrhea and I also had indigestion issues. 20 mg of Pepcid was prescribed twice a day for the indigestion.

I am on the Verzenio for systemic treatment since the cancer was found in one lymph node. I thought, by definition, that I had MBC because it had spread to a lymph node. So, I found this site early on. I hope to have kicked my cancer to the curb, but one never knows if the cancer might return. I follow these ladies that are a WEALTH of information and experience.

Best to you,

Colleen

[TNVol]

After 2 years on Ibrance 100/exemestane, progression dictated change to Verzenio 100 and Faslodex. I had severe problems with diarrhea and doctor lowered dosage to 50. I've been on this for 18 months now with few problems. WBC and neutrophils have climbed well into the lower end of normal. I did have problems with low counts while on Ibrance.

[jillritc]

I know I'm posting a little late on this but I too was on Ibrance and switched to Verzenio due to low neutrophils which meant I had to delay restarting Ibrance. After it happened the third time, my oncologist and I agreed to try Verzenio. So far, so good. All my blood counts improved on Verzenio, and my tumors had a really good response to it in short order. I had diarrhea, intestinal distress and pain in the beginning. I have since switched to a predominantly vegan diet which has helped.

[Hidden in reply to jillritc]

jillritc - That's so interesting about switching to vegan diet/possibly addressing the diarrhea!

I'm just curious (not being argumentative...), is this based on your own experience/feeling or something you've read?

I'm 3+ weeks into Verzenio 150 and have virtually no issues w/ diarrhea. I certainly consider myself lucky with this, but am now wondering if it's possibly because I'm vegan...

*If we think there is a connection, would certainly be worth sharing more "loudly" with the group! I know the diarrhea issues can be awful....If the "fix" is switching to vegan diet, might be well worth it for so many! (on top of all the other benefits! ).

Lynn

[jillritc in reply to Hidden]

I've been on Verzenio for just over 12 weeks now and have had lots of diarrhea issues, even when eating a more vegan diet. I am now thinking it has more to do with how the food is prepared rather than if it's meat or vegetables that I'm eating. In short, it seems that foods that are oily, smoked, over roasted, grilled or charred can quickly provoke diarrhea. I can't say anything with confidence so I am not ready to share it more "loudly" than just posting my own experience as it happens.

Elsewhere, I had read that someone got relief with a diet reducing fodmaps. I tried that too but didn't seem to have the same success. Unfortunately, I think everyone will just have to try different approaches and see what works. Good for you that you have not had issues with diarrhea. That's wonderful!

[Hidden in reply to jillritc]

Ah! Interesting!

Maybe the way I eat helps? I.e. fast 14+ hours then eat small amounts, somewhat frequently, in between?

I have no idea...which makes me a bit crazy! So I guess, yes, the best thing folks can do is keep experimenting to find what works for them!

Thanks!