About Verzenio
Whether you're newly diagnosed or just starting treatment, learn more about Verzenio and how it works.
What is Verzenio?
Verzenio is a targeted treatment known as a CDK4 & 6 inhibitor. Verzenio is a non-chemotherapy oral tablet.
Verzenio is a targeted treatment, known as a CDK4 & 6 inhibitor, 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 adults, in combination with fulvestrant in adults whose disease has progressed after hormone therapy, or alone in adults 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 works inside the cell to block CDK4 & 6 activity and help stop the growth of cancer cells, so they may eventually die*
Verzenio is a CDK4 & 6 inhibitor used to treat HR+, HER2– metastatic breast cancer. Verzenio works to block specific proteins called CDK4 & CDK6. CDK4 & 6 proteins help control how fast cells grow. These proteins, along with hormones like estrogen, play an important role in the growth and division process of normal cells.
But if you have HR+, HER2– breast cancer, CDK4 & 6 proteins become overactive, causing the cancer cells to grow and divide uncontrollably, which makes the tumor grow. This can also lead to cancer cells spreading to other parts of the body, which is called metastasis.
Verzenio can be taken alone, but it is usually taken with hormone therapy to slow the growth of cancer cells. Hormone therapy (an aromatase inhibitor or fulvestrant) works outside the cell to help cut off estrogen that feeds the cancer. Verzenio works inside the cell to block CDK4 & 6 activity and help stop the growth of cancer cells, so they may eventually die.* When Verzenio inhibits CDK4 & 6 in healthy cells, it can lead to side effects, some of which may be serious.
*Based on pre-clinical studies.
00:00-0:13
[The Verzenio abemaciclib 50 | 100 | 150 mg tablets logo is to the left of captions.]
Caption: Verzenio is a prescription medicine used to treat a type of breast cancer in adults. 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)
- That is given with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy. If the cancer has gotten worse after hormone therapy, then Verzenio is given with fulvestrant. If the cancer has gotten worse after both hormone therapy and chemotherapy, then Verzenio is given by itself
It is not known if Verzenio is safe and effective in children.
Please read and listen to the Indication and Safety Summary following this video.
00:14-0:28
[The Verzenio logo and captions are center screen.]
AVO: Receiving your diagnosis can be overwhelming for you and those you love. To help you navigate and better understand your treatment, we created this video to explain how Verzenio works inside the body.
Caption: How Verzenio works.
Caption: Please read and listen to the Indication and Safety Summary following this video.
00:29-00:42
[The captions fade out. Transition to an animated cell.]
AVO: Verzenio is a treatment for HR+, HER2–, metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer is breast cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body like the bones, lungs, liver, and brain.
Caption: HR+, HER2–, hormone receptor positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative metastatic breast cancer.
00:43-01:01
[On the animated cell diagram, the CDK4 & 6 proteins are labeled. The cell membrane, nucleus, hormone receptors, and estrogen hormones are labeled on the normal breast tissue animated cell diagram.]
AVO: Verzenio works to block specific proteins called CDK4 and CDK6. CDK4 & 6 proteins help control how fast cells grow. These proteins, along with hormones like estrogen, play an important role in the growth and division process of normal cells.
Cell diagram label: CDK4 & CDK6 proteins.
Cell diagram label: Normal breast tissue cell. Estrogen hormones. Cell membrane. Hormone receptors. Nucleus.
01:02-01:18
[The animation of a breast tissue cancer cell is labeled to show the overactive CDK4 & 6 proteins on the cell. The cancer cell divides into two cells.]
AVO: But if you have HR+, HER2– breast cancer, CDK4 & 6 proteins become overactive, causing the cancer cells to grow and divide uncontrollably, which makes the tumor grow. This can lead to cancer cells spreading to other parts of the body.
Cell diagram label: Breast tissue cancer cell.
Cell diagram label: Overactive CDK4 & 6 proteins.
01:19-01:41
[The animated cell diagram shows how Verzenio works inside the cell to inhibit the CDK4 & 6 proteins.]
AVO: Just as cancer cells prepare to divide, Verzenio works to block specific CDK4 & 6 proteins. Verzenio is a CDK4 & 6 inhibitor used to treat HR+, HER2– metastatic breast cancer. Verzenio can be taken alone or with a hormone therapy like an aromatase inhibitor.
Caption: Verzenio blocks CDK4 & 6 proteins.
Cell diagram label: Verzenio. CDK4 & 6 inhibitor. Aromatase inhibitor.
01:42-02:06
[The animated cell diagram is exhibiting how Verzenio works alone and with fulvestrant.]
AVO: It can also be taken with fulvestrant hormone therapy to slow the growth of cancer cells.
When Verzenio is added to fulvestrant, the hormone therapy works outside the cell to help cut off estrogen that feeds the cancer. Verzenio works inside the cell to block CDK4 & 6 activity and help stop the growth of cancer cells so they may eventually die.
Cell diagram label: Fulvestrant. Hormone therapy works outside the cell. Verzenio works inside the cell.
Caption: So they may eventually die*.
Caption: *Based on pre-clinical studies.
02:07-02:21
[Transition to Verzenio protecting the animated cell. The Verzenio and Lilly logos appear on the bottom of the screen.]
AVO: When Verzenio inhibits CDK4 & 6 in healthy cells it can lead to side effects, some of which may be serious. Whether you take it alone or with other therapy, Verzenio can help slow down the growth of cancer cells in your body.
02:22-03:40
[The Verzenio logo bottom is in the bottom right corner.]
AVO/Caption: INDICATION AND SAFETY SUMMARY
Verzenio® (ver-ZEN-ee-oh) is used to treat certain types of breast cancer known as HR+/HER2– (hormone receptor positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative) breast cancer.
It is a medicine you can take if:
- The cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized). If you are female or male, then Verzenio is given with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy. If you are a female or male, and the cancer has gotten worse after hormonal therapy, then Verzenio is given with fulvestrant. If you are female or male and the cancer has gotten worse after both hormonal therapy and chemotherapy, then Verzenio is given by itself.
It is not known if Verzenio is safe and effective in children.
Warnings - Verzenio may cause serious side effects, including:
Diarrhea is common with Verzenio, may sometimes be severe and may cause dehydration or infection. The most common time to develop diarrhea is during the first month of Verzenio treatment. If you develop diarrhea during treatment with Verzenio, your healthcare provider may tell you to temporarily stop taking it, stop your treatment, or decrease your dose.
If you have any loose stools, start taking an antidiarrheal medicine (such as loperamide), drink more fluids, and tell your healthcare provider right away.
03:41-05:27
[The Verzenio logo bottom is in the bottom right corner.]
Caption: INDICATION AND SAFETY SUMMARY
AVO/Caption: Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia) are common with Verzenio and may cause serious infections that can lead to death. Your healthcare provider should check your white blood cell counts before and during treatment. If you develop low white blood cell counts during treatment with Verzenio, your healthcare provider may tell you to temporarily stop taking it, decrease your dose, or wait before starting your next month of treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have signs and symptoms of low white blood cell counts or infections, such as fever and chills.
Verzenio may cause severe or life-threatening inflammation (swelling) of the lungs during treatment that can lead to death. If you develop lung problems during treatment with Verzenio, your healthcare provider may tell you to temporarily stop taking it, decrease your dose, or stop your treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms, including:
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Cough with or without mucus
- Chest pain
Verzenio can cause serious liver problems. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check your liver before and during treatment. If you develop liver problems during treatment with Verzenio, your health care provider may reduce your dose or stop your treatment. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms of liver problems:
- Feeling very tired
- Pain on the upper right side of your stomach area (abdomen)
- Loss of appetite
- Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
Verzenio may cause blood clots in your veins, or in the arteries of your lungs. Verzenio may cause serious blood clots that have led to death. If you develop blood clots during treatment with Verzenio, your healthcare provider may tell you to temporarily stop taking it. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following signs and symptoms of a blood clot:
- Pain or swelling in your arms or legs
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Fast breathing
- Fast heart rate
05:28-6:52
[The Verzenio logo bottom is in the bottom right corner.]
Caption: INDICATION AND SAFETY SUMMARY
AVO/Caption: Verzenio can harm your unborn baby. Use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment and for 3 weeks after the last dose of Verzenio and do not breastfeed during treatment with Verzenio and for at least 3 weeks after your last dose. Verzenio may affect the ability of males to father a child.
Common side effects
The most common side effects of Verzenio include:
- Nausea
- Infections
- Low red blood cell counts (anemia)
- Decreased appetite
- Headache
- Hair thinning or hair loss (alopecia)
- Abdominal pain
- Tiredness
- Low white blood cell counts (leukopenia)
- Vomiting
- Low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia)
These are not all the possible side effects of Verzenio.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects. You can report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Before using
Before you use Verzenio, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including:
- If you have fever, chills, or other signs of infection.
- If you have a history of blood clots in your veins.
- Have lung or breathing problems.
- Have liver or kidney problems.
- If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- About all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take a medicine that contains ketoconazole
06:53-08:24
[The Verzenio logo is in the bottom right corner.]
Caption: INDICATION AND SAFETY SUMMARY
AVO/Caption: How to take
- Take Verzenio exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.
- Your healthcare provider may change your dose if needed. Do not stop taking Verzenio or change the dose without talking to your healthcare provider.
- Verzenio may be taken with or without food.
- Swallow Verzenio tablets whole. Do not chew, crush, or split the tablets before swallowing. Do not take Verzenio tablets if they are broken, cracked, or damaged.
- Take your doses of Verzenio at about the same time every day.
- If you vomit or miss a dose of Verzenio, take your next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose.
What to avoid during treatment
- Avoid taking ketoconazole during treatment with Verzenio. Tell your healthcare provider if you take a medicine that contains ketoconazole
- Avoid grapefruit and products that contain grapefruit during treatment with Verzenio. Grapefruit may increase the amount of Verzenio in your blood
Learn more
Verzenio is a prescription medicine. For more information, call 1-800-545-5979 or go to verzenio.com.
This summary provides basic information about Verzenio but does not include all information known about this medicine. Read the information that comes with your prescription each time your prescription is filled. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about Verzenio and how to take it. Your healthcare provider is the best person to help you decide if Verzenio is right for you.
AVO/Caption: Verzenio® is a registered trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
Caption: AL CON BS_MBC 03MAR2023
Verzenio® is a registered trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
PP-AL-US-3853 08/2023 ©Lilly USA, LLC 2023. All rights reserved.
08:25-08:34
[The Verzenio and Lilly logos are center screen.]
AVO: Talk to your doctor if you have any other questions about Verzenio.
Caption: Talk to your doctor about Verzenio.
For pricing information, please visit lillypricinginfo.com/verzenio or call 1-844-VERZENIO (1-844-837-9364)
PP-AL-US-3853 08/2023 ©Lilly USA, LLC 2023. All rights reserved.
Verzenio® is a registered trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
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