Hi there
I recently started Ibrance and tamoxifen. I am wondering if there are any supplements we should not take with Ibrance? Does anyone know if curcumin is OK or not? Just checking to see what anyone knows about what supplements we should not take with Ibrance. I know grapefruit is it no.
mimi
I always check with my oncologist if I have a question about supplements. I want to be sure there won’t be any interactions.
I believe grapefruit is the only problem but others might be aware of something else 🌸
I always ask my oncologist about supplements and if she doesn’t know, I either contact the pharmacy (I’m with Kaiser) or Pfizer.
As I understand it from my oncologist, the problem with some supplements is that there haven’t been trials with them and our meds so it’s impossible to know if safe to take them. Very frustrating.
I asked about supplements to help with joint pain and was recommended turmeric with black pepper so I guess curcumin is OK. I would recommend you read up on contraindications both ways - ie see what's on the list for palbociclib and on the list for curcumin just to be sure
I take omega 3 and a probiotic. I was told to be careful and when I read up about the many supplements that were supposed to protect against cancer there appeared to be possible interactions. I think many of these may protect, but once you are on treatment it's a different matter because they may protect cells against the treatment. Best to get advice and to focus on diet. X
I’d be leary of pomagranite, as well. It uses the same pathway as grapefruit and was contraindicated when I was on Kisqali.
My oncologist is not in favor of any supplements but I take a multivitamin, raw calcium with Vitamin D and B-12. I wanted to take a turmeric supplement to help with inflammation but she advised me not to. Grapefruit for sure is a no-no and I also heard that pomegranate is not good as well as green tea. Your oncologist might have different thoughts though. Best wishes to you. Hope the Ibrance and tamoxifen work well for you for a long time. Sending hugs.
I have ER+/PR+ HER2- lobular. I have continued to take Ashwagandha, Berberine, Curcumin, Melatonin, Quercetin, Resveratrol Vitamin D3 and Sulforaphane. From what if have read these can play a role on cancer not becoming resistant to AIs and CDK4/6 inhibitors. Course I'm not a healthcare professional so I would encourage your own research on this. Berberine and Curcumin are work horses in my "supplement cocktail"
Grapefruit is a no, and I think pomegranate is also a no.
ask your onc but only grapefruit I know of that interferes . It’s funny but both of them have never said anything about supplements. This is M D Anderson and I guess everyone researches on their own meds. I have had cancer since aug 2018 MBC to bones and never on any supplement. Wish you the best🌹
I was told to take a turmeric curcumin supplement by the periodontist after oral surgery for ONJ to help with healing. Loved it. I looked it up and found that it has phytoestrogen. There is a trial looking at whether really high doses that increase bioavailability might block the bad estrogen and replace with phyto on the estrogen receptors. So that sounded promising. Then I read that it is not okay -- it is all about the dosage. Some oncologists say yes and some say no, including MSK. I asked my oncologist. She didn't know but said no when I mentioned phytoestrogen. I then got an oncology nutritionist. She said no because high doses cause liver problems. Basically she said from food is okay but supplements are untested with cancer patients and unregulated.
Seville oranges used in marmalade are also a no.
go to website drugs.com. You can type in name of drug, takes you through some screens to look for interactions, including drugs/supplements, foods, diseases. Here's link for ibrance:
I have been on Ibrance and anastrozole going on 5 years and turmeric helped the joint pain the most. However, I've recently read that it can contribute to solid tumors, and my drs (one MDA, one local oncology) are on the fence about me using it. "It's probably ok" they say. I currently have no solid tumors, so I'm considering going back to it. Also I've been told to watch iron and magnesium levels (simple blood tests) since meds can contribute to fatigue. I've been told to stay away from mushroom suppliments (reishi etc) and ashwaganda simply bc there are no studies to prove they're safe. St. John's wort a no-no as well. What helped even more than suppliments is a physical therapy program specifically for breast cancer. Tremendous help! And insurance usually covers it. You can look up programs in your area. Highly recommend!
I'm on Ibrance ana Letrozol. I haven't removed any of my supplements, but did add b12 for energy, tart cherry to help with bone pain, fish oil and turmeric with back pepper to help with inflammation. Also, a prebiotic.
Hi Cyndi...I am also taking Ibrance and Letrozol. I was diagnosed in September after being cance free for 13 years. How are you doing with your drugs? How long have you been on them? I have a PET scan this Saturday (4/22) to see how it is working for me. I actually feel great even though my red and white blood count goes to .7 . I have had to drop to 100mg of Ibrance but the counts still are low by the end of my 3 weeks. Thought I would check in with someone who is taking the same meds as me. Thanks for any input.
Hello! I'm taking 100mg Ibrance too. I've been on them since 2019. I also have low blood counts, but I don't get more sick or anything. I have no problem on Ibrance. Letrozol was killing me. Pain all the time. I started aromasin 2 weeks ago and it's going pretty well. I get CT and bone scans every 4 months and I'm very stable. I'm 58. I totally expect to live to at least 75.
I've taken a lot of supplements since I was first diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer 22 years ago. I found that glucosamine chondroitin really helped during radiation... and I've been taking it ever since. I'm looking at about 15 morning supplements right now. I've found that the person who usually knows the most about contraindications is my pharmacist. It's her business to know that kind of thing, more so than the doctors. And she has easy access to all your medications, except possibly your cancer treatments. I recommend you ask her about your specific combination of drugs and supplements. Good luck!
BY THE WAY, I generally take supplements to help deal with the side effects of the cancer treatment... not to help treat the cancer... Such as supplements to help my heart, circulation, joints, bone loss, stamina... and to help my liver, as few Rx as possible, and NO alcohol.
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