Generic name: palbociclib
Brand name: Ibrance
Dosage form: tablet, capsule
Drug class:CDK 4/6 inhibitors
What is palbociclib?
Palbociclib is an oral medicine that is used to treat specific types of breast cancer in adults. Your doctor will prescribe it for you if it has a proven benefit for your type of cancer.
It is used in combination with other cancer treatments, either aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant, which one you use will depend on your clinical factors.
It is a targeted therapy which blocks CDK4 and CDK6, which are enzymes in cells that are important for cell division. Blocking these proteins helps to slow down cells that are dividing, which slows down cancer growth.
What is palbociclib used for?
Palbociclib is used to treat adult patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. It should always be used in combination with another medicine either:
- an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy in postmenopausal women or in men; or
- fulvestrant in patients with disease progression following endocrine therapy.
Important information
Palbociclib may cause serious side effects, including:
Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). This increases your risk of serious infections. Low white blood cell counts are very common when taking palbociclib and may cause serious infections that can lead to death. Your healthcare provider should check your white blood cell counts before and during treatment.
If you develop low white blood cell counts during treatment, your healthcare provider may stop your treatment, decrease your dose, or may tell you to wait to begin your treatment cycle. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have signs and symptoms of low white blood cell counts or infections such as fever and chills.
Lung problems (pneumo...
