I have had a sore tooth , back molar and earache for a few days, feel ok tho and no temperature My dentist said infection and has given me ampicillin for 7 days.
Thought I could just take them with Ibrance but apparently not. I rang oncology to tell them I was taking them and they said omit the Ibrance the days I take them but then back on when infection gone.
I’ve been on Ibrance since Nov 2020 with no ill effects or low bloods so this is new to me, bit reluctant to stop the Ibrance for a week , will it make a difference long term but suppose no choice as I don’t want an infection to spread .
Anyone been in this situation .
Cheers
Debra xxx
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debbiedo2063
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As far as I am aware, it won’t make any difference at all stopping Ibrance short term. Some ladies in the US have had an Ibrance holiday for 6 months, which has proven to be beneficial.
I had to stop a while back for a week (can’t remember why) and my neutrophils loved it. Boosted them right up.
Thanks Clare , you’ve put my mind at rest.Have a lovely weekend even if it is a bit wild. We have had so much snow in the North East this morning, like a Christmas scene here.
Don’t worry about the mini break from Ibrance. Your body needs to fight the dental infection with the help of antibiotics. Once that’s cleared up you’ll feel better and you can resume the Ibrance.
Over the two and a half years I was taking Ibrance I delayed starting treatment by a week on several occasions due to low WBC and also when I had my thyroid removed. My oncologist and BC nurse reassured me that in the long term it would make little difference as the drugs were already in my system.
I wonder if there is another drug you can take for the toothache? I was on Bactrim for a different issue not tooth related and I did not have to stop Ibrance. So maybe there is another antibiotic.?
That’s a good point but I think for teeth it’s generally penicillin as a first choice. I think it was more the fact that I had an infection that oncology wanted me to stop taking Ibrance for a week rather than the reaction with Ibrance. Will look up Bactrim
Hi Debbiedo2063 not sure bactrim would be the right choice, but another drug. But it seems taking a break might be no issue. Like you it probably woukd bother me a bit. But sometimes there may not be a choice.
Hi ! Just reading this and wanted to reassure you Debbie that taking that one extra week off due to an infection won’t make a difference on this treatment. I have done this three times over the past four years , for a week at a time , ( I am now four year and four months into this combination). My oncologist even allowed me to have an elective reduction on my non -affected breast , which meant taking an extra week off at the end of my cycle in 2018. Hope you soon recover and are able to continue with your many plans ! x
I have been on Ibrance/Letrozole 4 years and recently had cataract surgery and my onc said to stop Ibrance for 48 hours before surgery and 2 weeks after. The surgery went well and I healed quickly. This was the first time I had a break from meds so it was a little daunting at first but in the scheme of things, not a big deal.
I hope the antibiotics do the trick and you feel better soon!
Hi, It’s okay. An extra week off once in a while works out. I know I’ve had to take a break now and then for different reasons. I used to stress that the cancer would immediately come back, but it didn’t. Better to recover from your infection and start Ibrance when you are better. Hope you will be painfree soon.
I have stopped taking palbo on quite a few occasions (having started in Oct 2020) - in order to have my ovaries removed, when I had covid and when I had a eye related operation not linked to cancer. I am NEAD (at min) so I don’t think it has impacted?
Hello Debbie! Take care of that dental infection for sure. Suspending IBrance gives your white blood cells a chance to work effectively with the antibiotics. I’ve taken an ibrance holiday a few times for a variety of reasons…most recently to get my vaccine booster . Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint so make sure you are doing everything to make the here and now as strong and healthy as you can. Best wishes!
I have had numerous times that I had to go off for a a week or two and did not affect my results and boosted my wbc and neutrophils which I struggle with.
Your onc. wants you to stop Ibrance to increase your neutrophils while taking antibiotic. I had my pacemaker battery replaced last year and dr. took me off Ibrance for 10 days, 3 before surgery and 7 after to increase healing. Don't worry about it.
Hi Debra, sorry to hear you have a tooth infection. I have just had 9 days off Ibrance & now on rest week due me to catching the “Super Cold” very like Covid but -ve LFT’s. Have been very poorly for 2.5 weeks. The chemo unit have assured me that my white blood cells need to fight the virus and that it shouldn’t make any difference overall as the Ibrance remains in my system. They also explained that it is quite common for people have a treatment break to go on a special holiday for example. I am worried that I have had such a long break, but we need to be well for our bodies to fight this disease. Hope you feel better soon, ready for your fantastic holidays.
I'm guessing that most of the replies are from people in the USA or UK? I'm from Perth, Western Australia and I take ibranc for 21 days and have a 7 day break every time. Am I reading correctly that all the people who have replied, take ibranc without any breaks at all and then only if there's a medical reason to?? Thanks Claire
Hi, no everyone has a break week with Ibrance and Kisqali. Both meds have a recommended three weeks of meds followed by a week off. Verzenio is taken twice a day and I think it is without a break…but I’m not sure as I’ve not had it. The discussion here is about having to take extra time off meds due to other circumstances….like having Covid, getting dental work done, having an operation…etc.😀👍
Hi, hope your infection clears up super fast!!Don’t worry about a brief break off meds I’ve done it a few times in the last 6 months and still had very good scan results and blood work all good too.
Hi Yes , pain not as bad with antibiotics although I think the tooth will need some work as still bothering me.
My dentist had Covid and I had to see his partner who gave me antibiotics as he thought it was infected but said my usual dentist will take over on Thursday when I go back as he will be back then., X-rays etc. i hope it’s easily fixed but expecting a root canal tbh.
Anyway I’m away for the weekend to the beautiful Northumberland Coast. Not letting a tooth ruin my weekend lol.Painkillers at the ready if needed.
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Has anyone lowered dose of Ibrance and felt better? 
Off Ibrance for now!
Starting Ibrance and Letrazole next week
