ibrance schedule

[Northcarolinafighter]

Can anyone on here help me? I had to stop ibrance for an extra week til my numbers came back up. So I technically only took 2 weeks worth instead of 3. Now technically I would be in my off week this coming Tuesday. So do I take another week of ibrance, then off? Or do I stay on the same protocol and stop taking it? I have messaged my doctor twice on this, and nobody will tell me. 🥲 I have never skipped a week before, so I really have no clue what to do. Thanks

[Claireperth]

if your doctor isn’t responding then I personally treat the two weeks off as done and dusted and start on your usual routine as 3 weeks on and one week off. I have no medical knowledge but I am 65 yrs old if that helps 😆

[Northcarolinafighter in reply to Claireperth]

thank u

[TNVol]

When I had to take breaks from Ibrance, doctor would do blood work after week off. If improved (which was always the case), resume Ibrance where I left off.

[Northcarolinafighter in reply to TNVol]

thank u

[Liessie2014]

Hi , I have had to stop my Ibrance a few times for the Same reason. like TNVol I have had bloods done , and gone back on if bloods are fine , which was always the case for me too

[Northcarolinafighter in reply to Liessie2014]

thank u

[Liessie2014 in reply to Northcarolinafighter]

you are welcome, ❤️

[OneLump22]

Try calling Pfizer pharmacist since they make the drug. I'm in the same fix due to hip replacement surgery. Cancer Center Pharmacist advising me. Need more advise. Calling them back Monday.

[Northcarolinafighter in reply to OneLump22]

thank u

[Andersl in reply to OneLump22]

That's a very sensible suggestion. Though they may refer you back to your oncologist

I personally would try calling the consultant or his staff. Only your care provider can give you the right answer.

[Northcarolinafighter in reply to Andersl]

yes

[Crazycocker]

Hi, I’m in the Uk and am on palbociclib, which was reduced down to the 75mg. I really struggled with the 3 weeks on 1 week off cycle due to low neutrophils. I was being deferred every cycle until my bloods recovered enough, which took an extra couple of weeks each time. But I was still getting a response, so now I am just on a 3 week on, 3 week off cycle, and have been stable for 3 years, and living with low neutrophils 😃 I’m sorry I can’t help, but thought I’d just let you know that it’s ok to not keep to the schedule

[Northcarolinafighter in reply to Crazycocker]

thank u

[Red1246 in reply to Crazycocker]

Exactly. Though I understand the original trials were done with Ibrance 125 mg 3 weeks on and 1 off, many of us are unable to tolerate 125mg and have been dropped to 100mg or 75. And it continues to work irrespective of dose. As my wbcs take quite a dip each cycle, I’m on a 3 week on, 3 week off cycle. I’ve been stable for 3 years.

[Crazycocker in reply to Red1246]

yes I think your right, the trails were 3 weeks on, 1 week off. My bloods just wouldn’t play ball, and I got so tired of continually running to get bloods done and being deferred, coupled with Covid, them not wanting us over the hospital and me not wanting to go, we agreed to do 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off and it’s working for me ☺️

[Red1246 in reply to Crazycocker]

so glad to hear it’s working g for you too. 🙏🏻

Take care!

[Crazycocker in reply to Red1246]

Thank you, long may we stay stable 🙏

[Red1246 in reply to Crazycocker]

Yes! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️

[Kiss_my_grits]

this has happened to me. Dr did bloodwork to check my levels before restarting. Sorry you aren’t hearing back from the dr. That’s frustrating! And where are you in NC? I’m in Charlotte

[LDR1 in reply to Kiss_my_grits]

Seems very strange for the doctors office to not respond - you are asking them to not just answer a question but determine your course of treatment, and that’s their job! Oncologists deal with dose and timing adjustments all the time and should be able to make a decision and respond promptly. They also should be monitoring you closely given your recent low counts. Maybe call the office to request an answer ASAP.

[Northcarolinafighter in reply to LDR1]

thank u

[Northcarolinafighter in reply to Kiss_my_grits]

I’m in Gastonia, near new hope road 😀

[Totheriver]

I have had to take an extra week lots of times until they switched me to 75mg. After your week off just do your cycle like you always would. I am now on two weeks on then two weeks off this is working . Tried a lot of different combinations. Hopefully you will get an answer soon.

Theresa

[Northcarolinafighter in reply to Totheriver]

thank u

[NPmary]

Your doc should let you know when she wants you to restart; she might want a lab test before you restart.

[Northcarolinafighter in reply to NPmary]

I had the labs done, and was good. So I took 2 weeks worth and this Tuesday will be the time I would be off

[NPmary in reply to Northcarolinafighter]

Take your next week then your week off unless your dr tells you differently.

[Northcarolinafighter in reply to NPmary]

thank u

[hdhonda]

My oncologists at Moffitt Cancer Center changed me to two weeks on, two weeks off back in December and I am finally getting energy back. All tests indicate the reduced dosage is helping me and cancer is still stable with no growth. You just need to find which direction your onc wants you to take. He/she knows best. Wishing you the best and many blessings. Hannah

[Northcarolinafighter in reply to hdhonda]

thank u

[Best521]

Hopefully by now your oncologist has responded with an answer. However when I went off Ibrance for two weeks and resumed, my oncologist had me start a new three week cycle. I didn’t pick up where I had left off. The extra Ibrance pills from the previous cycle were put aside. The extra pills will be brought to my cancer center pharmacy for proper disposal. I did remain on Letrozole without stopping during the two weeks.

[Discocat]

Hello Sorry to hear you've not been able to contact your doctor...May be due to Easter holidays.Times that I've stopped mid med cycle I've waited until results of bloodwork were favorable and the doctors have confirmed that I'm able to restart a new course (new packet of Ibrance) before returning to the meds. In these cases I've given the left over tablets back to my oncologist to be recycled in the system....as in my case they are the suppliers of my medications.

At times I speak to the oncology nurses who are very helpful and are often able to answer issues and also discuss with doctors if they feel out of their depth...in which case you may be able to get around the communication problems in this way.

Best of luck

Zoe xx

[Dragonfly2]

I hope by now you have heard from the oncologist…that’s such a shame to be left hanging! I had a similar issue with IBrance knocking the heck out of my numbers and leaving me both physically and mentally exhausted. You can research some studies done on Alternate dosing schedule for IBrance. So instead of taking IBrance for three weeks and then having to stay off for two weeks, I started to take it for 5 days and then off for 2, without any break at all. In 28 day cycle I would take 20 pills instead of 21 but then there would be no break so over the course of several months I was taking the right amount of pills rather than missing a whole extra week. I feel great and so far my scans have been stable.

I hope this gives you something to think about and some useful information! Best wishes!