Abemaciclib and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Swi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 21, 2023

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "I’ve been taking Verzenio for just over 1.5 years and have about 5 months to go. I'm taking it because I’m at high risk for recurrence. I take 150 mg twice daily. I have diarrhea just about every day, often multiple times per day. Imodium helps, but I have to take that sparingly or I will have the opposite problem. I am exhausted all the time and have very low energy. I have terrible GERD also, but Pepcid has really helped that. I will finish this medication because I’ll do anything to have as much time as possible with my family. I feel the side effects are worth the potential benefits."

• C H...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 21, 2023

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "Started on Verzenio. At first, I had diarrhea when eating milk products, including small amounts of dairy in any foods. This was at 150 mg twice daily. The diarrhea got worse and would not stop no matter what I ate. It slowed to a stop when I went on the 100 mg. My lungs have a bit of a problem, my creatinine levels are a bit high, and my white count is down. I am tired and need 1-2 naps a day. But I am managing. I am back to work 1-3 days a week. Loving my job. I found Gatorade and Powerade to help along with my vitamins."

• Cla...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 27, 2024

For Breast Cancer "I am on this to help reduce the chance of breast cancer recurrence. I have nearly completed the two years of medication and am still on the full dosage. I did have a bit of trouble with diarrhea to start with, but I discovered that if I gave up wheat then my digestive system was much happier. I also started following the Zoe advice to increase my gut biome, I have a 14-hour daily fast, and lots of foods that promote a healthy gut. Since then, I have had absolutely no problems with diarrhea or any other gut problems. I have developed very high HDL cholesterol, and I don't know if this is due to the abemaciclib or letrozole. It is unfortunate that my lipid levels were not taken before treatment, so I am comparing with results from a long time ago. I am extremely fit and healthy and do a lot of exercise. I have found all the cancer drugs fairly easy to cope with, including chemotherapy. My nails are soft, and my lymphocyte count is low, but neutrophil count is normal."

• Hil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2023

For Breast Cancer "I was prescribed 150 mg twice a day because I am at high risk of recurring lobular breast cancer. After 5 weeks, I could no longer tolerate it due to diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and many other side effects. I was given a 4-week break to recover and restarted on 50 mg twice a day. I have been taking the low dose for 6 weeks, and I am tolerating it very well. The intention is to increase the amount again gradually, and I hope I can cope with it because I am concerned that just 50 mg twice daily will not be very effective."

• JNi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 19, 2024

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "I have been prescribed this as a preventative treatment. I’ve just finished 24 rounds. Started on 150 mg twice daily and struggled with diarrhea, lost quite a bit of weight, and had dosage reduced to 100 mg twice daily. This was much more manageable. Fatigue was the main side effect throughout. It peaked at round 22, which then caused another reduction to 50 mg twice daily. My last round was at 100 mg twice daily. The drug was easy to take morning and night. Overall, worth the fatigue to protect me moving forward. 24 rounds seemed excessive when I was told after other treatments, but it has gone quickly, and I did like that I still was checked in regularly through the period. I can’t really comment on its effectiveness as my reason for taking it cannot be evidenced at this point."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 19, 2025

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "I took the 150 mg dosage of Verzenio twice a day for two years. I experienced terrible, out-of-control diarrhea for the entire time. I would have zero urge to go to the bathroom, and then suddenly had to go so badly that I had mere seconds to get to the toilet. I was very nervous about leaving the house, as there seemed to be no schedule or way to plan for an incident. As a result, there were plenty of 'accidents.' The diarrhea was always the color of the medication - kind of a turmeric yellow - and the accidents permanently stained many pieces of clothing. I have now been off the Verzenio for eight months, and I still have only diarrhea - I haven't had a normal bowel movement in nearly three years. I have not had a recurrence of breast cancer at this point, so hopefully, it was effective. I chose to stay on it at the higher dose because the hope that the drug would work was more important to me than the side effects."

• ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2025

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "Took for 5 months, beginning of March 2024 to the last week of July 2024. Occasional diarrhea, treated effectively with diarrhea medication. July 2024, began having shortness of breath. Last week of July, went to my pulmonologist. Chest CT done. I had pneumonitis, bilateral. Hospitalized for 2 days. Treated with corticosteroids. On discharge, treated with oral prednisone. Started with 40 mg, then weaned off initially after 4 weeks, then restarted for another 4 weeks. Last dose was the 3rd week of October. Pneumonitis resolved."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 17, 2025

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "Three years ago I was diagnosed with MBC in the bone. My doctor prescribed Verzenio 150 mg twice a day and flutamide injections. After 6 months, the PET showed a lowering in activity. 6 months later, the PET showed no activity at all, and no signs of mets. I’m in complete remission, and I have very low side effects such as hair thinning and sometimes (but very rarely) diarrhea. I’m extremely grateful to this medication because it is saving my life and is totally manageable. I can’t suggest more!!!"

• Luc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 19, 2020

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "Verzenio has worked after my wife’s initial treatment failed and her cancer returned. She had some initial diarrhea, but our doctor adjusted the dose, and now all is going well."

• Ama...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2024

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "Some diarrhea, and fatigue. Otherwise, it’s easy to take and doesn’t bother me."

• BP1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2023

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "I experienced stomach cramps, severe diarrhea, elevated blood pressure, and stomach bloating while taking this."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 19, 2025

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "I had a lot of diarrhea for several months. Then I started taking anti-diarrhea medication at the same time that I took Verzenio, and I didn't have as much diarrhea."

• kan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 31, 2025

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "First 6 months... diarrhea twice a week... now hardly ever have this side effect for the last 5 months. Have given up sugar too."

• dmo...
• February 3, 2025

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "I have had on and off liquid diarrhea since starting Verzenio with a pill related to Faslodex (not approved yet - Giredestrant)"