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Ibrance vs. Verzenio

Ibrance (palbociclib) is a capsule or tablet you take by mouth to treat certain types of breast cancer, specifically hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor 2-negative (HR+, HER2‑) advanced or metastatic breast cancer. It works by blocking specific proteins called CDK4/6 to help slow down the growth of cancer cells. You usually take it once a day for 21 days, and then don’t take it for 7 days, repeating this cycle every 28 days. Ibrance (palbociclib) is also used with other medications like an aromatase inhibitor, fulvestrant, or inavolisib. Side effects include low white blood cell counts, infections, nausea, and tiredness.

• Advanced or metastatic breast cancer (HR+, HER2-), used with
  • An aromatase inhibitor as the first hormone-based treatment OR
  • Fulvestrant after the cancer has stopped responding to hormone-based treatment
• Advanced or metastatic breast cancer (HR+, HER2-) with a PIK3CA mutation, used with inavolisib and fulvestrant after the cancer has come back following hormone therapy

Ibrance (palbociclib) with letrozole:

• Low white blood cell count (up to 80%)
• Infections (60%)
• Tiredness (37%)
• Nausea (35%)
• Hair loss (33%)
• Mouth sores (30%)
• Diarrhea (26%)
• Anemia (24%)

Ibrance (palbociclib) with fulvestrant:

• Low white blood cell count (up to 83%)
• Infections (47%)
• Tiredness (41%)
• Nausea (34%)
• Anemia (30%)
• Mouth sores (28%)
• Diarrhea (24%)
• Low platelet count (23%)

Ibrance (palbociclib) with inavolisib and fulvestrant:

• Mouth sores (51%)
• Diarrhea (48%)
• Tiredness (38%)
• Nausea (28%)
• Rash (26%)
• Reduced appetite (24%)
• COVID-19 infection (23%)
• Headache (22%)

• Low white blood cell counts
• Lung problems
• Harm to unborn baby

Verzenio (abemaciclib) is an oral medication used to treat certain types of breast cancer. It's FDA approved for hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor 2-negative (HR+, HER2‑) breast cancer, including early and advanced or metastatic stages. This medication belongs to a group called CDK4/6 inhibitors, which slow down the growth of cancer cells. It comes as a pill that’s taken by mouth twice a day, without breaks. You might take Verzenio (abemaciclib) on its own or with hormone therapy. Common side effects include diarrhea, low white blood cell counts, and tiredness.

• Early breast cancer (HR+, HER2-), used with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor in adults at high risk of the cancer coming back
• Advanced or metastatic breast cancer (HR+, HER2-), used with
  • An aromatase inhibitor as the first hormone-based treatment OR
  • Fulvestrant either as the first treatment or after the cancer has stopped responding to hormone-based treatment
• Advanced or metastatic breast cancer (HR+, HER2-), used alone if the cancer has worsened after both hormone-based treatment and chemotherapy

• Rise in creatinine (99%)
• Lower white blood cell count (up to 91%)
• Diarrhea (90%)
• Anemia (69%)
• Tiredness (65%)
• Nausea (64%)
• Reduced appetite (45%)
• Lower platelet count (41%)
• Stomach pain (39%)
• Vomiting (35%)
• Infections (31%)
• Rise in liver enzymes (up to 31%)
• Headache (20%)

Note: Side effects listed above are from a study of Verzenio (abemaciclib) used alone to treat metastatic breast cancer.

• Diarrhea
• Low white blood cell counts
• Lung problems
• Liver problems
• Blood clots
• Harm to unborn baby