What is Verzenio?
Verzenio is a targeted treatment known as a CDK4 & 6 inhibitor. Verzenio is a non-chemotherapy oral tablet.
Verzenio is a prescription oral medicine used to treat a type of breast cancer. It is a medicine you can take if you have a type of breast cancer called HR+/HER2– (hormone receptor positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative) and the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized).
Verzenio is given in combination with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy for the treatment of postmenopausal women, in combination with fulvestrant in women whose disease has progressed after hormonal therapy, or alone in women whose disease has progressed after hormone therapy and prior chemotherapy.
It is not known if Verzenio is safe and effective in children.
CDK4 & 6=cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6.
How Verzenio works
Verzenio causes cancer cells to become inactive or even die
Verzenio is in a class of drugs known as CDK4 & 6 inhibitors. CDK4 & 6 are proteins that control how fast cells grow and divide. These proteins are found on both normal and cancer cells. They become overactive in metastatic breast cancer, causing cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. This leads to the spread of cancer.
Verzenio interrupts these proteins just as the cells start to grow and divide. It slows down cancer cell growth and division, causing cancer cells to become inactive or even die.
In preclinical studies, continuous exposure to Verzenio put the brakes on CDK4 & 6 proteins, which delayed cancer cells from growing and dividing.
How is Verzenio different?
Verzenio is taken differently—it’s the first and only CDK4 & 6 inhibitor that can be taken every day, twice a day*
Verzenio is a CDK4 & 6 inhibitor. It is the first and only oral tablet of its kind that can be taken every day for the treatment of HR+, HER2– metastatic breast cancer.
Because Verzenio is an oral medication and not an infusion, you can take it in the convenience of your home. This may allow for more flexibility in your daily life. However, you may need to see your doctor for other treatments.
*150 mg or 200 mg orally twice a day, as directed by your doctor.
Explore an advancement in the treatment data for HR+, HER2− metastatic breast cancer
SELECT SAFETY INFORMATION
Verzenio may cause serious side effects, including:
Diarrhea is common with Verzenio, may be severe and may cause dehydration or infection. The most common time to develop diarrhea is during the first month of Verzenio treatment. Your doctor may stop your treatment, lower your dose, or tell you to wait to begin your treatment cycle if you have diarrhea.
At the first sign of loose stools, tell your doctor. You may be advised to start taking an antidiarrheal medicine (such as loperamide) and drink more fluids.