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Kisqali vs. Ibrance

Kisqali (ribociclib) is a medication used to treat certain types of breast cancer, specifically hormone receptor–positive, human epidermal growth factor 2-negative (HR+, HER2-) breast cancer. It belongs to a drug class called CDK4/6 inhibitors, which help slow or stop cancer cells from growing. You typically take a tablet by mouth once a day for 21 days, then take 7 days off, repeating this 28-day cycle. It’s often taken together with other hormone treatments, like aromatase inhibitors or fulvestrant. Common side effects include feeling tired, nausea, and low white blood cell counts, which can make it easier to get infections.

• Early breast cancer (HR+, HER2-), used with 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

Early breast cancer

• Lower white blood cell counts (up to 97%)
• Lower red blood cell counts (47%)
• Higher liver enzymes (up to 45%)
• Infections (37%)
• Higher creatinine levels (33%)
• Lower platelets (28%)
• Headache (23%)
• Nausea (23%)
• Tiredness (22%)

Advanced or metastatic breast cancer

• Lower white blood cell counts (up to 95%)
• Lower red blood cell counts (68%)
• Higher liver enzymes (up to 55%)
• Nausea (47%)
• Infections (47%)
• Higher creatinine levels (42%)
• Tiredness (35%)
• Low red blood cell count
• Lower appetite
• Dizziness
• Trouble sleeping
• Trouble breathing
• Swollen or sore mouth
• Stomach pain
• Fever
• Pain or swelling in arms or legs
• Liver problems
• Lower platelets (34%)
• Diarrhea (33%)
• Vomiting (29%)
• Headache (27%)
• Constipation (25%)
• Hair loss (25%)
• Cough (24%)
• Rash (24%)
• Back pain (24%)
• Lower blood sugar (20%)

Note: Side effects listed above were reported in studies where people took Kisqali (ribociclib) with another hormone medication.

• Lung problems
• Severe skin reactions
• Heart rhythm problem (QT prolongation)
• Liver problems
• Low white blood cell counts
• Harm to unborn baby

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