Ribociclib is used to treat breast cancer. It works by
slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking ribociclib and each time you get a
refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning for 21 days,
then stopping the medication for 7 days. This is one cycle of treatment.
Keep taking the medication this way as directed by your
doctor.
Swallow the tablet(s) whole. Do not crush, chew, or
break the tablet(s). Also, do not take a tablet that is damaged or
broken.
If you vomit after taking a dose, do not take another
dose at that time. Take your next dose at the regular time.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response
to treatment, lab tests, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure
to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use
(including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal
products).
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or
for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and
your risk of serious side effects will increase.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice
while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may
do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this
medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
tablets.
Tiredness, diarrhea, headache, back pain, nausea,
vomiting, or loss of appetite may occur. Nausea and vomiting can be severe.
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication to prevent or relieve
nausea and vomiting. Eating several small meals, not eating before
treatment, or limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. If
any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
Temporary hair loss may occur. Normal hair growth should
return after treatment has ended.
Pain or sores in the mouth and throat may occur. Brush
your teeth carefully/gently, avoid using mouthwash that contains alcohol,
and rinse your mouth often with cool water mixed with baking soda or salt.
It may also be best to eat soft, moist foods.
People using this medication may have serious side
effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor
has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side
effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your
risk.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- shortness of breath
- signs of liver disease (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't
stop, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine)
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- fast/irregular heartbeat
- severe dizziness
- fainting
- chest pain
This medication may lower your ability to fight
infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal)
infection or make any infection you have worse. Get medical help right away
if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go
away, fever, swollen lymph nodes, chills, cough).
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking ribociclib, tell your doctor or pharmacist
if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product
may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or
other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- liver disease
- kidney disease
Ribociclib may cause a condition that affects the heart
rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely
fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe
dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right
away.
The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have
certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT
prolongation. Before using ribociclib, tell your doctor or pharmacist of
all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following
conditions:
- certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT
prolongation in the EKG)
- family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in
the EKG, sudden cardiac death)
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may
also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you
use certain drugs (such as diuretics "water pills") or if you have
conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your
doctor about using ribociclib safely.
Ribociclib can make you more likely to get infections or
may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an
infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles,
flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for
more details.
Tell your health care professional that you are using
ribociclib before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with
people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine
inhaled through the nose).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of this drug, especially QT prolongation (see above).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using ribociclib. Ribociclib
may harm an unborn baby. Your doctor should order a pregnancy test before
your start this medication. Ask about reliable forms of birth control while
using this medication and for 3 weeks after the last dose. If you become
pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of
this medication.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
tablets.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk.
Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not
recommended while using this drug and for at least 3 weeks after the last
dose. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
See also How to Use section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
A product that may interact with this drug
is:
Other medications can affect the removal of ribociclib
from your body, which may affect how ribociclib works. Examples include
lonafarnib, rifamycins (such as rifabutin), St. John's wort, drugs used to
treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), among
others.
This medication can slow down the removal of other
medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of
affected drugs include alprazolam, eplerenone, ergot alkaloids (such as
ergotamine), estazolam, flibanserin, irinotecan, ivabradine, mavacamten,
naloxegol, ticagrelor, tolvaptan, triazolam, among others.
Many drugs besides ribociclib may affect the heart
rhythm (QT prolongation), such as amiodarone, chloroquine, clarithromycin,
domperidone, dronedarone, haloperidol, methadone, moxifloxacin, pacritinib,
pimozide, ranolazine, among others.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as EKG, liver function,
complete blood count, potassium and magnesium blood levels) should be done
before you start taking this medication and while you are taking it. Keep
all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more
details.
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Different brands of this medication have different
storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store
your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications away from children
and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.
Your condition can cause complications in a medical
emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call
1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).