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Ibrance (palbociclib) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain adults with breast cancer.
These insights are based on 2,973 comments about Ibrance from MyBCTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of individuals and are not meant to be medical advice.
Benefits:
Considerations:
Ibrance is a type of medicine called a CDK4/6 inhibitor. Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors such as Ibrance work by blocking proteins called CDK4 and CDK6. These proteins help cells grow and divide.
Blocking CDK4 and CDK6 may help slow the growth of certain breast cancer cells.
Doctors prescribe Ibrance when certain adults have HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced or metastatic breast cancer. Hormone receptor-positive means the cancer may grow in response to hormones. HER2-negative means the cancer does not have a lot of HER2 protein expression.
Ibrance may be used:
By targeting this pathway, Ibrance may help manage certain HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancers.
Ibrance is taken by mouth as a tablet or capsule around the same time each day. Ibrance tablets can be taken with or without food. Ibrance capsules should be taken with food.
Swallow Ibrance tablets and capsules whole. Do not chew, crush, or split tablets. Do not chew, crush, or open capsules.
These insights are based on 2,973 comments about Ibrance from MyBCTeam members.
Members who use Ibrance often say it helps to stay in close contact with their oncology team, especially about blood counts, side effects, and treatment changes. Many also mention practical ways to get through treatment, like planning for fatigue, watching for infection risk, and asking about financial help if costs become overwhelming.
Stay on schedule with blood work.
“With the Ibrance you have to keep an eye on your white blood count. You get monthly labs to check WBC before starting your next cycle of Ibrance.”
Ask about dose changes if side effects are an issue.
“I too am on Ibrance. I have recently been lowered to 75 milligrams due my white count being too low, and I was always having to hold it for a week before I could start again.”
Be careful about infection risk.
“Be very vigilant about sanitizing your hands while out in public! Do not touch your face!”
Ask about help paying for Ibrance.
“Pfizer, the manufacturer of Ibrance, has a number you can call to talk to someone about possible ways to offset the cost of Ibrance. Also check with your oncology financial resource person, they may also know of some additional options to check out!”
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In clinical trials of Ibrance used with an aromatase inhibitor, fulvestrant, or inavolisib and fulvestrant for adults with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced, locally advanced, or metastatic breast cancer, the most common side effects differed by treatment combination.
For Ibrance used with letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, or with fulvestrant, side effects and lab changes reported in at least 10 percent of people included:
For Ibrance used with inavolisib and fulvestrant, side effects reported in at least 20 percent of people include:
Ibrance can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Pfizer, the manufacturer of Ibrance, offers the Pfizer Oncology Together Co-Pay Savings Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 per month. People enrolled in state or federally funded insurance programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, Veterans Affairs healthcare, a state prescription drug assistance program, or the Government Health Insurance Plan available in Puerto Rico, are not eligible to use this card.
If you have government insurance or no insurance, the website offers information on other ways to save on your prescription.
The Pfizer Oncology Together Co-Pay Savings Program also offers personalized support and help identifying financial assistance options. To learn more, visit Ibrance financial support resources, call 877-744-5675, or download the Pfizer Oncology Together app if one is offered on the program website.
Before starting Ibrance, your doctor will check your blood counts and may do a pregnancy test if you can become pregnant.
Tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements.
If you miss a dose or vomit after taking a dose, do not take an extra dose. Take your next dose at the usual time.
Ibrance can harm your baby if you are pregnant. Females who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least three weeks after the last dose. Males with female partners who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for three months after the last dose.
Do not breastfeed during treatment with Ibrance and for three weeks after the last dose.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Ibrance?
In a study of postmenopausal women with HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer who had not had prior systemic treatment for advanced disease, people taking Ibrance plus letrozole had a median progression-free survival of 24.8 months. This means half of the people went longer than 24.8 months without their cancer getting worse, and half had their cancer get worse sooner. People taking placebo (an inactive treatment) plus letrozole had a median progression-free survival of 14.5 months.
In a study of people whose disease had progressed on or after endocrine therapy, Ibrance plus fulvestrant had a median progression-free survival of 9.5 months, compared with 4.6 months for placebo plus fulvestrant.
In a study of people with endocrine-resistant, PIK3CA-mutated, HR-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, Ibrance plus inavolisib and fulvestrant had a median progression-free survival of 15 months. This was compared with 7.3 months for Ibrance plus placebo and fulvestrant.
What tests or monitoring are needed with Ibrance for breast cancer?
Complete blood counts should be checked before starting Ibrance, at the beginning of each cycle, on day 15 of the first two cycles, and as clinically needed. This is important because low white blood cell counts, especially neutropenia (low neutrophil counts), are very common with Ibrance. People should also report signs of infection, bleeding, bruising, or new or worsening breathing symptoms.
On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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