I am switching to Kisqali next week after 2 months on Ibrance

[jltorcz]

I am 79 years old and my breast cancer is back in my lungs.After new research and studies, my doctor thought I should try the Kisqali and Femera.I agreed but am instructed to take the anti nausea med. before the Kisqali everyday. I haven't needed it with Ibrance. What have you experienced?

[MSWife]

my partner has been on these meds since October. They take it before bed with some yogurt and haven’t had any issues. Not sure what anti-nauseant you’re planning on taking, but be cautious as certain ones (zofran aka ondansetron) can cause QT prolongation, which kisqali also does.

[jltorcz in reply to MSWife]

I was called by the Stanford Pharmacist and given instructions which included taking the ondansetron 30 minutes before I take the Kisqali. She did say it can be constipating and to call if that happens. She was very insistent that i take the medicine even though my oncologist told me I didn't need to with Ibrance. I will see what my oncologist says, but he has been prescribing Ibrance and he has just decided it was worth trying Kisqali after some big conference he went to in December. He then followed up with more research and thought it was worth it to switch.

[ScoutnFlower in reply to jltorcz]

Remember BIG PHARMA Incentivize doctors to prescribe their meds. I am 58 I have been on Ibrance since 2019. It is now January 2024 and have been clear. Praise God. I had a mastectomy and reconstruction in 2007 at Stage zero but speckled throughout. Then a small reoccurrence in 2017 and then 2019. The Ibrance 21 days with Fulvestrant injections (monthly) is working! along with scans now every six months instead of three months. hang in there girl Eat healthy stay away from fatty food, charred food but grill meats, lots of green cruciferous vegetables I don’t drink alcohol hardly ever and I do need to get more exercise. I’m working on that but I try to stay physically active during the days. I no longer have an office sitting all day job. I have a job where I am out in the field and driving which will be much more activity and freedom to sing songs in the car when driving Life changes we have to adjust. Amen. Have a great day.😃🥰

[TammyCross in reply to MSWife]

Wow, I didn't know that. I just started a reduced dose of Kisqali -- reduced because my QT is marginally long already. No one told me not to take ondansetron. That is what they gave me for nausea a long time ago. I didn't take it when I got a bit of nausea. Phew. Thank you!

[Hazelgreen]

Hi J,

I'm 78 with metastatic breast cancer in my lungs, spleen, skin, & bones. I've been taking 600 mg. ribociclib (Kisqali) with letrozole for 2+ years now. These heavy-duty meds seems to have arrested the cancer so my CA markers are now in the normal range. However, the meds do sap my energy and my immune system so I've switched to a 5 days-on, 2 days-off schedule (that merely means 20 days of meds, not 21, in a 28-day period). I haven't needed any anti-nausea med throughout this time, but then I've never used it in my long life.

I wish you well, Cindy

[Shafight]

I was told I take anti-nausea pills as needed. I never needed them. But I took them two times to control diarrhea.

[seniorcitizen]

I have never needed the anti nausea pills and have been on Kisqali since October 2022. Prior to that I took Ibrance where I also didn't need anti nausea meds. Everyone reacts uniquely to these drugs. Personally I would not automatically take anti nausea pills. I am 77 years and in stage 4 de novo since December 2019.

[jltorcz in reply to seniorcitizen]

thanks to all of your quick responses. My lab and consultation is Tuesday, so I will ask the question regarding the anti nausea drug before I start Kisqali on Wednesday. My doctor at Stanford has been prescribing Ibrance mostly, so I don’t think he has many patients o Kisqali. I hope to not take the extra medication . I don’t need unnecessary side effects.

I didn’t even take anti nausea med when I had chemo 14 years ago.

[TammyCross]

Take the Kisqali and see if you get nauseated. If you don't, you certainly won't need to worry about it. I had slight nausea a couple of times when I started Kisqali, but it eased up and I didn't need to medicate it.

Novartis does recommend taking Kisqali in the morning. They say with or without food. I take everything with food -- unless the instructions are not to eat an hour before and after -- because all of our meds can be rough on our stomachs, and taking with food helps. That is what I started doing on my own and the oncology nurse practitioner advised when she was giving instructions about a medication that can be taken with or without food.

[Bonnie1942]

If nausea occurs, I have had success with ginger Ale and capsules.