CDK4/6 inhibitors
If you have taken Ibrance or Kisqali or another CDK 4/6 inhibitor, I would appreciate hearing about your experience. I recently had to stop Verzenio because of unmanageable side effects. Oncologist wants me to consider an alternative in that drug class.
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I had taken Kisqali from late January until just recently, when I stopped. It was no longer working for me. I had side effects from it, but overall felt fine while I was taking it. I gradually had to reduce the dose because of low neutrophil levels. Other side effects for me were relatively mild - some nausea, a rash that came and went on my hand and neck (it disappeared on my weeks "off" from the kisqali), and I did get mouth sores but that was not a huge issue. I'm starting another medication combo next week.
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@cekmcc - I'm just wondering if you tried a dose reduction, or if you think it might be helpful for you. I've been on Verzenio over 4 years. The beginning was hard - extreme fatigue and gastro issues, which improved somewhat after 3-4 months. Dose reduction at 8 months really helped with both - especially bringing the gastro problems to manageable levels (with Imodium and simethicone).
Everyone is different. I know some people really can't tolerate it, but it's worth asking.
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I’ve been on Ibrance since 2016. My MO recently said it’s not the best of the CDK4/6 drugs, so he’s glad it’s kept me stable so long. I’ll be able to try one of the others in the future. The benefit of this one is most people don’t experience diarrhea
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@cekmcc, I am on my 12th cycle of kisqali with very few side effects. It has been very kind to me. My neutrophils range from mild neutropenia to very low normal levels. I seem to have escaped the fatigue that others report.
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cekmcc,
CDK inhibitors were not on the market when I was diagnosed with bone mets in 2011. I had a good run on anti-hormones until 2019. There was progression to the bones, so I was placed on Ibrance and a different anti-hormone. I took it for four months and it was terrible. There was more progression. Ibrance cost me thousands of dollars and it did not work.
My onc switched me to Verzenio by itself. For me, it was worse than Ibrance, even with a dose reduction. The white blood cell count was not the problem. I had diarrhea, nausea and gradually over the next nine months, my red blood cells lowered each month to where they did not come back up, and I was short of breath. I was dehydrated and anemic. I lost a lot of weight. Plus Verzenio did not work. More progression. My onc took me off the Verzenio thinking the red blood cells would come back on their own. They did not. I ended up in the ER and needed a blood transfusion. It worked and I started feeling better rather quickly.
My next treatment was oral chemo: Xeloda. I’ve been on it since 2020 and am now starting to have some progression that my onc and I are in the process of dealing with.Anyway, that’s my experience. I wish the best for you as you figure out your next steps.
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I am on my 19th cycle of Ibrance and Letrozole. I will be switching to foslodex next month because my side effects hot flushes, excessive sweat are becoming unmanageable again. Even with a strong antidepressant for mood swings I am still having to many issues.
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I’ve been on Ibrance and anastrozole for 5 yrs. Originally started on letrozole but had horrible joint pain and was switched to anastrozole. Started Ibrance at full strength (125mg) then dropped to 100mg and at 75mg for 3+ yrs. Have also had several breaks from Ibrance due to covid and 4 joint replacements. Still stable. Major side effect is fatigue and low absolute neutrophils.
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