Abemaciclib

Generic name: abemaciclib
Brand name: Verzenio
Dosage form: tablet
Drug class:CDK 4/6 inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Apr 19, 2022.

What is abemaciclib?

Abemaciclib is an FDA approved medicine used to treat certain types of HR+/HER2– (hormone receptor positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative) breast cancers. This drug was developed by Eli Lilly & Co.

Abemaciclib is from a class of medicines called CDK 4/6 inhibitors, they block the CDK4 and CDK6 enzymes, which stops the signal that causes growth of cancerous cells. This helps reduce the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. 

Depending on the type and stage of your breast cancer, Abemaciclib may need to be taken in combination with other cancer treatments.  

What is abemaciclib used for?

Abemaciclib is a prescription medicine used:

• in combination with endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) to treat adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, node-positive, early breast cancer with a high risk of coming back as determined by your healthcare provider.
• in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as the first endocrine-based therapy to treat women who have gone through menopause (postmenopausal), and men, with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer that has worsened or that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).
• in combination with fulvestrant to treat adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer that has worsened or spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) and whose disease has progressed after endocrine therapy.
• alone to treat adults with HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that has worsened or that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic) and whose disease has progressed after endocrine therapy and prior chemotherapy.

When abemaciclib is used in combination with fulvestrant, tamoxifen, or an aromatase inhibitor, also read the Patient Information for the prescribed product. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure.

It is not known if abemaciclib is safe and effective in children.

Warnings

Abemaciclib may cause serious side effects including:

• Diarrhea. Diarrhea is common with abemaciclib treatment and may sometimes be severe. Diarrhea may cause you to develop dehydration or an infection. The most common time to develop diarrhea is during the first month of abemaciclib treatment. If you develop diarrhea during treatment with abemaciclib, your healthcare provider may tell you to temporarily stop taking abemaciclib, stop your treatment, or decrease your dose.
  • If you have any loose stools, start taking an antidiarrheal medicine (such as loperamide), drink more fluids, and tell your healthcare provider right away.
• Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia). Low white blood cell counts are common during treatment with abemaciclib and may cause ser..