Abemaciclib and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 24, 2023

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "I have completed 1 year of Verzenio for stage IIIA lobular breast cancer. While this drug has side effects, I have found it very tolerable, especially after the first 6 weeks. I experienced nausea, constipation, altered food taste, fatigue, and vertigo. These mostly resolved with a dose reduction from 150 mg to 100 mg twice daily. After a couple more months, I was able to increase my dose back to 150 mg twice daily without the return of side effects. My oncologist was very proactive in helping me manage side effects. My blood counts dropped to low normal and have stayed at this point. I have found Verzenio to be a tolerable drug, even if it is challenging the first couple of months. It is well worth taking as it does prolong the time to breast cancer recurrence! I hope that lasts forever for me!"

• 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."

• SJM...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 7, 2024

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "I have taken Verzenio for five years. Due to neutropenia, my dose has been cut down to 50 mg twice a day. I have a compromised immune system, and my main side effect is fatigue. I am able to tolerate going out in public. This drug has kept my Stage 4 cancer at bay and has kept me alive. I am very grateful to Lilly for their program in supplying the drug at no cost."

• aym...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2023

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "Mother has been using it for 4 months so far. Great control on all tumors. Some acceptable side effects such as fatigue, mild anemia, and elevated creatinine levels, but things are getting better with time."

• 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."

• Kym...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2025

Abemaciclib for Breast Cancer "Not thrilled. First dose 150 mg 1x day, extreme constipation, borderline blockage, extreme fatigue, bone aches. Went off it for 2 weeks, then lowered dose to 100 mg 1x day. Fatigued (not as bad), bone pain not as bad, no constipation, but now dry eyes and blurred vision. Am also on Letrozole, been on Letrozole 6 months before combining with Verzenio. No problems with the Letrozole. I'm thinking of not taking the Verzenio anymore. More problems with my body since adding this drug to my system."

• 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."