Neratinib and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Pep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2020

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I started this medicine 3 months ago and have had uncontrollable diarrhea. It starts about an hour after I take it. Anywhere from 10-12 bouts. I have also soiled myself about 10 times in my sleep. I'm on Colestipol, Lomotil, and Immodium. They have even backed me down from 6 to 4 pills with no relief. I'm done with this medicine. I have no quality of life."

• Pep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2020

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I'm coming up on the end of my 2nd month of Nerlynx. I am taking Lomotil, 2 pills, 3 times daily, Colestipol, twice a day, and Imodium, up to 8 pills in 24 hours. I am still having up to 12 bouts of diarrhea a day. This is ridiculous that it's affecting my quality of life so much. I've even soiled myself twice in my sleep. I didn't have this much trouble while on chemotherapy. I'm not sure the possible 3% help is worth it."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 22, 2020

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I am 9 months into Nerlynx, and it is very uneventful, just as Herceptin and Perjeta infusions were. I am able to work, exercise daily, and do everything that I love. I get diarrhea 0-2 times per month, and it doesn't interfere with my life. I was also put into menopause and take Anastrozole with no issues. I would recommend trying it and giving it a chance. If it is not for you, you can stop. I wanted to do everything to reduce my recurrence rate and protect my brain."

• Mon...
• March 13, 2021

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I have been on it for 10 days. I felt nothing for the first 3 days and got so constipated from the Imodium that was prescribed that I had to go on laxatives. I thought perhaps taking it with my morning smoothie (fortified with calcium) was interfering with it, the pharmacist agreed, and it was! As soon as I switched to taking it with lunch, the diarrhea started that night. The next day it stopped, so I stopped the Imodium and was fine for three days. Then I had duck for dinner, and I was so sick with diarrhea that night! For the past three days, I have had no meat and no grease and have had no diarrhea. I am starting to believe it is influenced by what you eat. My fingers are crossed! Anyone else agree? Other than that, I am fatigued, and this depresses me."

• Anonymous
• September 3, 2019

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "My oncologist put me on Nerlynx. I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2017. I had a recurrence in July 2018 when I found a huge lump on my neck. I started IV infusions with Kadcyla every 3 weeks. The cancer went to my brain. I was disappointed to find out after the fact that Kadcyla does not permeate to the brain! My oncologist was adamant that I start Nerlynx. He started me on 3 daily. I took it for one day.... severe diarrhea, stomach pain, dizzy, fatigue, crying, angry.... I will never take this drug again! Let alone it causes severe liver damage and heart damage! I will continue CyberKnife radiation."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 15, 2018

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "The jury is still out for me on this new adjuvant treatment. I finished Herceptin and Perjeta on June 28th and started Nerlynx July 7. The first 24 hours were manageable with diarrhea, but we’ve been off to the races since then. 12-15 times a day in the restroom. I’m taking the prescription strength Imodium per the directions, but I see many here take it every two hours. I’m calling the oncologist today to ask if I can take it that frequently because if not, I will have to stop taking Nerlynx. It is disrupting my life, and the nausea and belching aren’t helping either."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2018

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "Start in August 2018. At first, I didn't have diarrhea, but after 2 weeks, the diarrhea started 6 or 7 hours after a dose. My doctor prescribed loperamide and colestipol, but the diarrhea still continues, and my stomach aches, and I have no appetite. After 4 weeks, I saw my oncologist, took my blood work, and they called me the next day to stop treatment, my liver was inflamed. I was not dehydrated because I drink a lot of fluids. I lost 3 lbs. I don't sleep during the night from running to the bathroom all the time now. For some patients, it is good, but for me, it is not. I choose quality of life now. I had chemotherapy and radiation, and I know this therapy is for one year, but I don't want to damage my liver."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2018

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "Was determined to continue with Nerlynx despite severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and total loss of appetite. Most side effects stopped at the three-month mark, thankfully. Lost 10 kg in that three months (needed to lose weight)."

• Mam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2023

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I finished 6 rounds of TC chemo with Herceptin and Perjeta, 6 weeks of radiation, and now I’m 3 days in starting at 3 pills (40 mg) of Nerlynx, and my backside is not having it! Started with sharp abdomen pain on day one, and now nonstop diarrhea. I’m done! This is worse than chemo diarrhea."

• que...
• February 2, 2018

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I have taken Nerlynx (Neratinib) for 1 week. Today, the 7th day, I'm going back to the Imodium every 6 hrs. Within the first 8 hours, my stomach was cramping, diarrhea, and nauseous. After the 3rd day of diarrhea more than 15 times a day, my oncologist increased the Imodium to every 2 hours. I'm still tired but have high hopes in continuing for the full 12 months."

• Spa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2023

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I was diagnosed ER+, HER2+ in 2021. Had mastectomy, chemo, neo-adjuvant, and six weeks of radiation. My oncologist then prescribed Nerlynx with Imodium, and within 3 days, the diarrhea and cramping started. It was worse than prepping for a colonoscopy! What really got me was I developed a weird 'rash.' My arms began itching from shoulder to wrist. No bumps or welts, but felt like dozens of mosquitoes biting all at once, both painful from feeling the 'bite' and the constant non-stop itching. My Dr. prescribed Gabapentin with an increasing dose to help, but I couldn't tolerate the 1st 100 mg dose of this. I stopped the Nerlynx, but it took almost 3 months for the 'rash' to begin to abate. After some sleuthing, I discovered that this is an actual condition that can be brought on by some cancer drugs, and Nerlynx was on the list. So no thank you! I would rather have peace and joy in my life, not an ever-increasing amount of drugs to combat the effects of the other drugs, etc., etc."

• AFH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 11, 2020

For Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "Started Neratinib in November 2019, 11 months after finishing Herceptin (just made it into the criteria for Neratinib when approved by NICE in the UK). Started on 3 x day loperamide, but after the first week, very constipated, so stopped loperamide, resulting in severe diarrhea. Took about 10 days to establish correct levels of loperamide for me. Just completed month 5 of Neratinib and now take just 2 loperamide in the morning and have very infrequent diarrhea. Have tried to stop the loperamide completely, but it’s not been successful! For me, Neratinib has been okay, and diarrhea not a problem. Guess I’m one of the lucky ones. Really hoping to get to the 12-month mark."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 1, 2021

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "For the first 3 months, it was brutal, now, not so bad. I do have major muscle cramping all over. Sometimes it wakes me up at night. The diarrhea stops around 3 months, but it’s to get there. I also get a lot of headaches. If it can cut my recurrence by half! I am still in… 9 months to go!!!"

• del...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 10, 2019

For Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I started this drug, neratinib, in February of 2019. Of course, I had the same issues with diarrhea like everyone and went on a strict course of three doses a day of two each Imodium. The first two months were terrible, and I could not really find anything online to help. In the third to fifth months, the diarrhea was almost gone, and that was a blessing. From July to now, which is October 2019, the diarrhea has returned with a vengeance. My oncologist told me that most of his patients have stopped taking it. I am going to stick it out because I trust him, and if this helps me, then it will be worth it. I actually gained weight! I feel pretty lousy most every day, like I have the flu, and I get skitzed out that it might be more cancer because I do worry. I am nauseated a lot, so I seem to eat more. I am tired of cleaning my toilets...that is for sure!"

• Sto...
• April 25, 2021

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I had stage 2 breast cancer, HER+, size 3 cm in late 2017. After 6 chemos - 4 strong drugs reduced to 1 cm, surgery, 6 weeks of radiation, I started Nerlynx. 6 pills a day for 12 months. It started out okay, little stomach ache, but by the 3rd week, I was in severe stomach pain, diarrhea daily. Imodium helped some, but after 2 months, it didn’t help. A stronger Imodium prescription ate up my stomach lining. I struggled through, determined not to go through cancer again. Five months through, I had to stop for 3 weeks before - 3 weeks after for open heart surgery at the young age of 65. Starting back on Nerlynx, I convinced the doctor to go from 6 to 5 pills a day. At the end of 11 months, I had it. It was impossible to eat anything without losing it. My stomach and bowels were raw. I only survived this long because I took a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water every day. I lost a lot of weight. My doctor told me I was the longest lasting patient to try Nerlynx. I hope it was worth it. Now 2021 and still cancer-free. Fingers crossed."

• Que...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2018

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "(2/11/18 Sunday), I'm still on the 2 every 2 hours and becoming more ecstatically distant from the boss's place. With an average of 4-6 times blessing my presence in the thinking room (bathroom) - in 2-3 days I will try to cut back on the Loperamide to two capsules every 4 hrs. In my opinion: Chemo, radiation, and surgery on your breast are hard. The diarrhea can be managed. Just don't do like me and not want to bother the oncologist on the weekend. I got lucky and wasn't dehydrated. Make sure to seek help if you are frequenting the stink room more than your doctor says. Good luck! I will continue and finish the many base coats of polish called breast cancer until I finish with my high shine gel top coat to lock it up and continue defying life while being pretty.☆"

• Pos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2024

Neratinib for Breast Cancer, Adjuvant "I have now been on Nerlynx for nearly 2 months. I started with 3 tablets a day, increasing to 4, and then 5. I am now on the second day of the full dose of 6 tablets. I have suffered with diarrhea for the past year, since my first cycle of chemotherapy, which I had to stop due to chemo toxicity. I was absolutely terrified about having even more diarrhea on this medication. In fact, my existing diarrhea is a little worse, but nowhere near as bad as I had feared. At its worst, I have had 7 episodes in one day, but on other days only 1 or 2. Loperamide gives me diarrhea, so I am on 15 mg codeine up to 4 times a day. I have had a couple of nosebleeds, I have a dry mouth, and my nails are a bit flaky. I have also had a couple of headaches since going up to full dose, and I am very tired all the time. However, it is not as bad as I had feared."