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Palbociclib

Pronounced

"PAL-boe-SYE-klib"

Common brand names:

Ibrance

Uses

Palbociclib is used to treat a certain type of breast cancer. It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking palbociclib and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily 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.

This medication comes in a capsule or tablet. The capsule should be taken with food while the tablet can be taken with or without food. Swallow the medication whole. Do not crush or chew, or open the capsules, or split the tablets.

Do not take capsules or tablets that are broken or look damaged. If you vomit after taking the medication, do not take another dose of the medication that day. Take the next dose at the usual time the next day.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, lab tests, response to treatment, 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). Your doctor may stop your medication for a while or reduce your dose if you get any side effects. Talk to your doctor for more details.

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.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time on the days you are scheduled to take the medication.

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.

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 capsules.

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Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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Information expires December 2025.