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TARGETED THERAPY, KINASE INHIBITOR
Verzenio (abemaciclib) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating adults with breast cancer.
These insights are based on 1,172 comments about Verzenio from MyBCTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.
Verzenio is a type of kinase inhibitor that works by blocking proteins called cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6. This slows cancer cells as they move through the cell cycle and divide. In some breast cancer cells, this helps reduce abnormal cell growth.
Doctors prescribe Verzenio to treat certain adults with hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-negative) breast cancer. The exact use depends on the stage of cancer and prior treatment. Verzenio may be used:
Verzenio is a tablet taken by mouth twice a day. It may be taken with or without food. Try to take it at about the same times each day. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew, crush, or split them.
For early breast cancer, treatment usually continues until two years are completed, the cancer returns, or side effects become unacceptable. For advanced or metastatic breast cancer, treatment usually continues until the cancer gets worse or side effects become unacceptable.
Typical Dosing for Breast Cancer
The recommended starting dose is usually 150 milligrams twice daily when Verzenio is used with endocrine therapy, such as tamoxifen, an aromatase inhibitor, or fulvestrant.
When Verzenio is used by itself, the recommended starting dose is 200 milligrams twice daily.
Doctors may pause treatment, lower the dose, or stop treatment if side effects are serious or hard to manage. Dose reductions may decrease to 100 milligrams twice daily and then 50 milligrams twice daily when Verzenio is used with endocrine therapy.
This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
These insights are based on 1,172 comments about Verzenio from MyBCTeam members.Members who use Verzenio often say the most helpful strategies involve staying in close contact with their oncology team, watching for side effects early, and being open about how treatment is affecting daily life. Many members also mention that dose changes, lab monitoring, and practical planning for diarrhea, nausea, fatigue, and cost can make treatment feel more manageable.
Ask your doctor about dose reductions if side effects are hard to manage.
“My oncologist adjusted my dosage of Verzenio from 150 milligrams to 100 milligrams twice a day. MUCH better side effects!”
Get blood work and keep an eye on your labs.
“Not super excited that I will need biweekly bloodwork while on Verzenio, but if it’s going to further reduce the chance of recurrence, I’ll do it.”
Keep antidiarrhea medicine and fluids on hand.
“With my initial prescription, I received loperamide. I am grateful for it. I needed it. You will too.”
Look into copay help or patient assistance if cost is a problem.
“Call the company Lilly directly, and you fill out a form to get a copay card. I now pay nothing for it.”
In clinical studies of Verzenio used with endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) for the adjuvant treatment of adults with HR-positive, HER2-negative, node-positive, early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence, the most common side effects occurred in about 11 percent to 89 percent of people.
Common side effects include:
Verzenio 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 to Verzenio.
Lilly, the manufacturer of Verzenio, offers the Verzenio Savings Card program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0 a month.
The Verzenio Savings Card program is part of Lilly Support Services for Verzenio, which offers one-on-one check-ins to help you get started on Verzenio quickly, identify savings opportunities, focus on the insurance process, answer questions, and connect you with relevant resources and information by email and/or text. To learn more, visit Verzenio Savings & Support or call 800-545-5979.
Before starting Verzenio, your doctor will check your blood counts and liver blood tests.
Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to abemaciclib or any ingredients in Verzenio.
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 Verzenio, take your next dose at the usual scheduled time. Do not take an extra dose.
Verzenio can harm a fetus. If you are able to become pregnant, then your doctor should verify you are not pregnant before you start treatment. Use effective birth control during treatment and for three weeks after your last dose. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for three weeks after your last dose.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Verzenio?
In a clinical trial on people with high-risk early breast cancer, 85.5 percent saw 48-month invasive disease-free survival with Verzenio plus endocrine therapy, compared with 78.6 percent who took endocrine therapy alone.
In clinical trials on people with advanced or metastatic breast cancer, Verzenio plus letrozole or anastrozole increased median progression-free survival to 28.2 months, compared with 14.8 months with hormone therapy alone.
In another study of people with metastatic breast cancer after progression on endocrine therapy, Verzenio plus fulvestrant increased median progression-free survival to 16.4 months versus 9.3 months, and median overall survival to 46.7 months versus 37.3 months.
Can Verzenio cause diarrhea in people with breast cancer?
Yes. Diarrhea is one of the most common side effects of Verzenio, reported in 81 percent to 90 percent of people across clinical trials. It often starts during the first month of treatment.
In the studies, the median time to the first diarrhea event was six to eight days.
At the first sign of loose stools, it’s often recommended to consider an antidiarrheal treatment such as loperamide, drink more fluids, and contact your healthcare provider.
Can Verzenio affect liver tests in people with breast cancer?
Yes. Verzenio can affect liver tests. In clinical studies, increased ALT levels were reported in 31 percent to 48 percent of people. Increased AST levels were reported in 30 percent to 37 percent of people.
More serious liver test increases happened in a smaller number of people.
Liver function tests should be completed before starting Verzenio. They should be checked every two weeks for the first two months, monthly for the next two months, and then as recommended by your doctor.
Your doctor may adjust the dose of Verzenio based on elevations in AST, ALT, and bilirubin.
What tests or monitoring are needed with Verzenio for breast cancer?
People taking Verzenio need blood count monitoring before treatment starts, every two weeks for the first two months, monthly for the next two months, and then as clinically needed.
Liver function tests are checked on the same schedule.
People should also be monitored for diarrhea, signs of infection or fever, new or worsening cough or shortness of breath, and symptoms of blood clots such as limb swelling, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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