Kisqali (ribociclib) is an oral medication used to treat certain types of advanced or metastatic breast cancer. It’s considered a first-choice treatment option and might even help you live longer compared with hormone therapy alone. Kisqali (ribociclib) is typically used in combination with other medications that block or lower the amount of estrogen in your body.
HR+/HER2- advanced or metastatic breast cancer
Kisqali (ribociclib) is a specific type of kinase inhibitor, called a cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK 4/6) inhibitor. CDK 4/6 are proteins that control cell growth in both normal and cancer cells. These proteins can become overactive in cancer cells and cause the cancer to uncontrollably divide and grow. By blocking CDK 4/6, Kisqali (ribociclib) slows the growth of cancer cells.
Source: DailyMed
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Taken by mouth once a day
A first-choice treatment option for a certain type of breast cancer
Can be taken with or without food
Common side effects include hair loss, tiredness, diarrhea, and nausea
Must be taken with other medications
Only available as a brand medication, so it might be expensive
Take Kisqali (ribociclib) with or without food at the same time every day. Swallow the tablet whole so that the medication works properly. Don’t cut, chew, or crush the tablet.
If you miss a dose of Kisqali (ribociclib), or vomit after taking a dose, don’t take another dose that day. Take your next dose at the normally scheduled time.
Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking Kisqali (ribociclib). These foods or drinks can raise the levels of the medication in your body and raise your risk for more side effects.
Certain medications can interact with Kisqali (ribociclib), so it’s important to tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications you take, including supplements and over-the-counter medications. Your provider can guide you to safer alternatives or recommend how to best take your medications.
You should be taking Kisqali (ribociclib) at the same time as a medication that blocks or lowers the amount of estrogen in your body (like an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant (Faslodex). Check with your provider if you aren’t receiving one of these medications. But if you’re using Kisqali Femara Co-pack, you won’t need to worry about this since it comes with an aromatase inhibitor, letrozole.
Ask your provider or pharmacist about the best way to handle and throw away Kisqali (ribociclib) safely. Anticancer medications can be very harmful to people who handle or come into contact with them.
Kisqali (ribociclib) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Rarely, Kisqali (ribociclib) can cause serious lung problems, like inflammation of your lungs or interstitial lung disease. Let your provider know if you develop any new or worsening breathing problems (e.g., shortness of breath, coughing, or shortness of breath). Your provider might tell you to stop taking Kisqali (ribociclib) while they figure out what’s causing these problems.
In studies, people taking Kisqali (ribociclib) commonly experienced rash or itchy skin. These typically weren’t serious. But in rare instances, the medication can cause serious skin reactions, like Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Tell your provider right away if you have any symptoms of these serious skin reactions. Symptoms include pain or burning of the skin, a rash that spreads quickly, reddened skin, blisters on the skin or skin peeling, or blisters on your mouth or eyes. Your provider might tell you to stop taking Kisqali (ribociclib) while they figure out what’s causing these problems.
Risk factors: History of abnormal heart rhythm | Heart problems | Low electrolytes in your blood | Taking tamoxifen or other medications that either also cause abnormal heart rhythm or interact with Kisqali (ribociclib)
Taking Kisqali (ribociclib) can cause changes in your heart rhythm (QT prolongation) which can be dangerous. You’re at a higher risk if you also take tamoxifen or other medications that interact with Kisqali (ribociclib). For your safety, let your provider know about all the medications and supplements you take.
Your provider will monitor for this problem by performing an electrocardiogram (ECG) before and during treatment with Kisqali (ribociclib). They’ll also monitor certain blood tests to check that your electrolyte levels (e.g. potassium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus) don’t get too low which will put you at risk for these heart rhythm changes. Contact your provider immediately if you experience a faster or slower heartbeat, or if you feel dizzy or faint.
Kisqali (ribociclib) can raise the level of certain liver enzymes in your body, which might lead to liver problems. You’ll need to get regular blood tests done while taking this medication to make sure that your liver is healthy. If you develop any liver problems, your provider might have you stop taking Kisqali (ribociclib) for a little while or lower your dose. Let your provider know if you experience tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dark urine, right-side stomach pain, easy bruising or bleeding, or yellowing of the eyes or skin, as these can be symptoms of liver problems.
Kisqali (ribociclib) can cause your white blood cell count to drop. When these cell counts are lower than normal, you might be at risk of developing infections. Your provider will check your blood counts often while you’re taking Kisqali (ribociclib). Let your provider know if you develop a fever or start to feel sick. If this happens you might need to have your dose lowered or stop this medication all together.
Based on animal studies, Kisqali (ribociclib) can harm an unborn baby. Because of these risks, females taking Kisqali (ribociclib) should use birth control during and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose. Let your provider know right away if you become pregnant during this time.
The dose might be different if you experience certain side effects, have kidney or liver problems, or if you’re taking medications that interact with Kisqali (ribociclib).
Kisqali (ribociclib):
Kisqali (ribociclib) is taken in a 1 month (28 days) cycle. For the first 3 weeks (21 days) of the cycle, the typical starting dose is 600 mg by mouth once daily. During the last week (7 days), you won't take any Kisqali (ribociclib). At the end of the month, the cycle starts over again.
You’ll also need to take either an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant (Faslodex) for treatment. In addition, if you’re a male or a female who hasn’t undergone menopause, your provider might also recommend you take a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist.
Kisqali Femara Co-pak (ribociclib / letrozole):
Kisqali Femara Co-pak contains both ribociclib and letrozole (an aromatase inhibitor) packaged together. It’s taken in a 1 month (28 days) cycle. For the first 3 weeks (21 days) of the cycle, the typical starting dose is 600 mg of ribociclib by mouth once daily. During the last week (7 days), you won't take any ribociclib. At the end of the month, the cycle starts over again.
During that last week when you aren’t taking ribociclib, you’ll still continue to use letrozole 2.5 mg by mouth daily.
Early breast cancer in people with a high risk of their cancer coming back
Advanced or metastatic breast cancer
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