I got Covid for the first time and was given Paxlovid tablets yesterday. I am on abemaciclib/Verzenio and faslodex.
My GP talked to an oncology registrar who said I should stop taking Verzenio for 5 days while on Paxlovid as there is a strong interaction between these two meds. My oncogy nurse said to stop it for 5+3 days.
Have any of you been in the same situation, did you have to stop your treatment with any of cdk4/6 inhibitors and for how long?
Thank you for your help!
Hi
Sorry that you've got covid. Think it's best to follow your health teams advice concerning having a break from Verzenio.
I'm on Ibrance, Letrozole and Zoladex.
I've had covid 3x over the last 2 1/2 years.
How your meds are managed depends on how strong your symptoms are and at what point in the cycle of Verzenio you are.
The first time I got covid I was told to stop Ibrance until I tested negative and then phone the oncologist to discuss how I was feeling. I continued to take Letrozole during this time but had to cancel the Zoladex implant as I couldn't enter the clinic while positive.
The other two times I've had covid I had just started my week off Ibrance and by the end of the week I was testing negative and feeling much better so I just continued as normal with all meds.
Current strain of covid here is nasty...I felt worst than other two times. Try to rest up drink lots of hot teas...and keep blowing your nose to get as much mucus out as possible...eucalyptus oils help for congestion and steamy baths helped my aches (if you can tolerate them as many are sensitive to hot temperatures on our meds ...especially with hot flashes etc)
Take care and hope you have a speedy recovery.
Zoe xx
Thank you very much Zoe! You got it 3 times! I don’t know how I was spared until now even though I have taken very long international flights 25+ hours but mask n95 always on my face.
It is intesting that my symptoms are headache and nausea, some temperature on and off, nothing else so far, touch wood. Even drinking hot lemon and honey or just water makes me feel like vomiting.
With Verzenio there are no breaks, you take it continuously, and given that it is working I am so afraid to have a break. Apparently there is a strong interaction between Paxlovid and Verzenio that’s why in my Oncology department they want you to have a break from Verzenio while taking this antiviral.
Best!
Sorry I forgot about Verzenio being constant. I'm on opposite recommendation from my oncologist concerning taking any extra medications.Since I had liver complications on my first treatment (Kisqali) I've been told to avoid any extra load to my liver and not to even take paracetamol if sick...so that's why I've only really mentioned natural remedies like teas and essential oils....but that's also another reason why it makes sense to stop the Verzenio while taking the med that in your case also is contradictory.
I didn't have any nausea with any of the bouts of covid. My main symptoms were heavy congestion...leading to headache, difficultly breathing and sleeping and some cough towards the end.
In general...concerning taking breaks from meds I hope I can reassure you that it's fine to stop for short breaks.
I had to come off all meds when my liver enzymes shot up in reaction to Kisqali.
The Kisqali had worked to shrink my primary considerable in the few months that I took it and I worried that I would have progression by being off all meds.
It took around 5mnths to get my enzymes in check and for around 3mnths I was off everything before going back on to Letrozole before eventually restarting on the main med which was switched to Ibrance.
Scans showed all to be fine. I remained stable in the time off and the ibrance has continued to further reduce tumour size.
I have extensive bone mets from skull to pelvis and most of my torso bones but I remain stable after almost 3 years since start of diagnosis de novo.
Thank you so so much for your thorough reply and your reassurance regarding stopping the treatment for a short time in my case, I can relax on that issue now!
I wish you many years of success on manageable medications.❤️
Absolutely agree. I have had to take breaks from CDK4/6 inhibitors several times for various reasons. My oncologist is comfortable with it, and I had no ill effects. These meds stay in our bodies for quite a while.
Thank you for your reassurance!!
Jersey Jazz, where are you? Haven't seen you on here for a long time, but I got an alert you "liked" what I said here,
I tested positive for covid two weeks ago. I'm on Letrozole and Ibrance. Only symptoms were body aches, headache, and a very sore throat. Oncologist told me to stop taking Ibrance but to continue with Letrozole until I had tested negative. I was not given Paxlovid. Tested negative after 10 days, now back on Ibrance and feel very well. Hope you recover soon. Best wishes.
Thank you so much!
Hi!Sorry to hear you have COVID. I’ve had it a few times and onc takes me off of Ibrance until I test negative. The break in the medication helps my body have the resources to fight the Covid infection. I have taken Paxilovid as well. It helped me test negative in five days, rather than the typical 10. I hope the same for you!
Thank you for your reassurance! I’ll test myself when I finish my packet. I hope I will be lucky like you testing negative.
I had to stop taking my CDK 4/6 twice during treatment for a month. Once was for TAVR (valve replacement). My doctor said it would be too much of a strain on my body. I had no negative effect from taking a short break. Still stable. Good luck.
So good to hear! Thank you!
How was the TAVR and how are you now with it? I ask because at this late stage in my life, if I live that long, it is in my future.
I had to stop many times for 12 weeks - don't worry about this at all. You will be fine- it won't negatively affect you at all. I had 5 years without progression on that type of treatment.
You are so welcome.
Yes both times that I took Paxlovid I had to stop Ibrance - and stay off of it for 5 or 7 days after to let the pax leave my system
Thank you! You had it twice, uhh! Yes, I was told to suspend Verzenio for 8 days.
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