About Verzenio
Whether you're newly diagnosed or just starting treatment, learn more about Verzenio and hear the experiences of other real relentless women.
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 with an aromatase inhibitor as initial endocrine-based therapy if you are postmenopausal, or male. If you are a female or male, and the cancer has gotten worse after hormone therapy, then Verzenio is given with fulvestrant. If you are female or male and 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.
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 (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.
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.
See the story behind Verzenio, a treatment option for HR+, HER2– metastatic breast cancer
Every Day Matters
For women living with HR+, HER2– metastatic breast cancer, every day matters. Learn about an everyday, twice a day CDK4 & 6 inhibitor for a relentless disease.
Verzenio is taken every day, twice a day.
150 mg or 200 mg orally twice a day, as directed by your doctor.
SELECT SAFETY INFORMATION
Verzenio may cause serious side effects, including:
Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia) are common with Verzenio and may cause serious infections that can lead to death. Your doctor should check your white blood cell counts before and during treatment. Tell your doctor right away if you have fever or chills.
Real Relentless Women
Hear from real, relentless women living with metastatic breast cancer. For some, this includes Verzenio and how the treatment has impacted their story.
Jeanelle
Jeanelle is a real Verzenio patient who puts family first. In addition to spending time with her loved ones, Jeanelle finds an outlet through dance. She discusses how her diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer impacted her life and her time on treatment with Verzenio.
Nancy
For Nancy, a real Verzenio patient, being there for her family is everything to her. She talks about her feelings about her diagnosis as well as how treatment with Verzenio has helped her feel more hopeful.
Holly
Holly, a real Verzenio patient, restores a boat with her husband so they can spend their retirement sailing the world. They discuss how metastatic breast cancer and discovering Verzenio has impacted their lives.
Honey
Honey, a grandmother and real Verzenio patient, talks to her lifelong friend about everything they’ve been through, including her diagnosis with metastatic breast cancer.
Teresa
Teresa, a wife, mother, grandmother, and a real Verzenio patient, talks about her experience living with metastatic breast cancer, and her daughter talks about how it has impacted their entire family.
Karen
Karen, a patient advocate living with metastatic breast cancer, talks about empowering women like her around the world. Her sister tells Karen what an inspiration her strength is to her and so many other women.
Learn more about Verzenio as a treatment option for HR+, HER2– metastatic breast cancer
Important Facts About Verzenio® (ver-ZEN-ee-oh). It is also known as abemaciclib.
Verzenio is a prescription medicine 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:
- You have node-positive early breast cancer that has a high risk of coming back as determined by your healthcare provider. Verzenio is given along with hormonal therapy to women and men.
- Or, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized). If you are postmenopausal, 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 hormone therapy, then Verzenio is given with fulvestrant. If you are female or male and 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.
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.
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 healthcare 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
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.
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
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.
Verzenio® is a registered trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates.
AL CON BS 14OCT2021