Verzenio Side Effects Exposed: The Shocking Truth About Weight Loss and More!

Verzenio, known generically as abemaciclib, is a medication commonly prescribed for the treatment of hormone receptor (HR)-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer. It is a kinase inhibitor that functions by blocking cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6), which are crucial for the growth and multiplication of cancer cells. By inhibiting these kinases, Verzenio helps to slow down cancer cell proliferation and reduce tumor size. This medication is available in oral tablet form, with dosages of 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg. It can be prescribed for early-stage breast cancer or for advanced or metastatic breast cancer, often in combination with other medications.

Common Uses of Verzenio

Verzenio (abemaciclib) is commonly used for treating breast cancer that is hormone receptor (HR)-positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative. It treats early breast cancer as well as cancer that is advanced or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). It is usually given in combination with other medicines but may also be used alone. Verzenio may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How Verzenio Works

Verzenio is a type of medicine called a kinase inhibitor. It blocks the action of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6). CDK4 and CDK6 help cancer cells to grow and multiply. Verenzio blocks the activity of CDK4 and CDK6 to help stop cancer cells from growing and multiplying and to make tumors shrink in size.

Storage Instructions

Verenzio should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Common and Mild Side Effects

Like all medications, Verzenio can cause side effects. While many are mild and temporary, others can be more severe and require medical attention. It's also worth noting that medication side effects may be underreported. The most common side effects of Verzenio include:

Diarrhea
Blood disorders (such as low levels of neutrophils)
Nausea and vomiting
Stomach pain
Infections
Tiredness
Decreased appetite
Headache
Hair loss or hair thinning
Weight loss
Abdominal pain

These side effects are usually temporary, lasting for a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last for longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious Side Effects

While less common, the most serious side effects of Verzenio are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions: Verzenio may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Verzenio and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: Breathing problems or wheezing, Racing heart, Fever or general ill feeling, Swollen lymph nodes, Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, Trouble swallowing or throat tightness, Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives, Nausea or vomiting, Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting, Stomach cramps, Joint pain.
Diarrhea: Diarrhea is common with Verzenio. You will be told how to take the medicine to lessen the effect of diarrhea. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop diarrhea or if you have more than two bowel movements in one day. If you are given medicine to prevent or treat diarrhea, take it exactly as your healthcare provider tells you. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following: Severe diarrhea, Diarrhea that does not go away, Diarrhea with weakness, dizziness, or fever
Blood Disorders: Verzenio can cause blood disorders, such as low neutrophils (neutropenia). Stop taking Verzenio and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders: Fever, Shortness of breath, Pale or yellowish skin, Easy bruising or bleeding, Frequent infection, Unusual weakness or tiredness, Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you are about to pass out, Headache, Fast or abnormal heartbeat
Lung Inflammation: Verzenio can cause inflammation in your lungs, also called interstitial lung disease. This can be serious or even life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider if you have trouble breathing. You may also have a cough and/or fever.
Liver Damage: Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Verenzio. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage: Nausea or vomiting, Stomach or belly pain, Fever, Weakness or unusual tiredness, Itching, Loss of appetite, Light-colored poop, Dark-colored urine (pee), Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Blood Clots: Verzenio may increase your risk of a venous thromboembolism (VTE). This can occur when you have a blood clot in your body. This can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms: Pain or swelling in arms or legs, Shortness of breath, Chest pain, Breathing that is more rapid than normal, Heart beating faster than normal

If you develop serious side effects while taking Verzenio, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Weight Loss as a Side Effect

Weight loss is listed as a possible mild side effect of Verzenio. While it isn't one of the most commonly discussed side effects, it's important to be aware of it, particularly if you're already experiencing other side effects like decreased appetite, nausea, or diarrhea.

Potential Causes of Weight Loss

Several factors could contribute to weight loss while taking Verzenio:

Decreased Appetite: Verzenio can reduce your appetite, making it difficult to eat enough to maintain your weight.
Nausea and Vomiting: Nausea and vomiting can make it challenging to eat and keep food down, leading to a calorie deficit and subsequent weight loss.
Diarrhea: Diarrhea can cause the body to lose fluids and nutrients, potentially leading to weight loss and dehydration.
Taste Changes: Some individuals on Verzenio report changes in their sense of taste, making food less appealing and contributing to decreased food intake.
Fatigue: The fatigue associated with Verzenio can reduce your overall activity level, potentially affecting your metabolism and contributing to weight loss.

What to Do If You Experience Weight Loss

If you experience significant or unintentional weight loss while taking Verzenio, it's crucial to inform your healthcare provider. They can assess the potential causes and recommend strategies to manage it. Here are some steps you can take:

Monitor Your Weight: Keep track of your weight regularly to identify any significant changes.
Maintain a Food Diary: Record what you eat and drink to help identify potential dietary deficiencies or triggers for nausea or diarrhea.
Nutritional Support: Consult with a registered dietitian or nutritionist to develop a personalized meal plan that addresses your specific needs and helps you maintain a healthy weight.
Manage Nausea and Vomiting: If nausea and vomiting are contributing to your weight loss, talk to your doctor about anti-nausea medications or dietary strategies to alleviate these symptoms. Some find ginger ale & ginger tea greatly helped with stomach upset.
Address Diarrhea: If diarrhea is a problem, follow your doctor's recommendations for managing it, such as taking antidiarrheal medications and staying hydrated. Some people have to take Imodium every day to prevent issues.
Small, Frequent Meals: Try eating small, frequent meals throughout the day instead of three large meals to make it easier to consume enough calories.
Nutrient-Dense Foods: Focus on nutrient-dense foods that provide plenty of calories and essential nutrients in smaller portions, such as nuts, seeds, avocados, and full-fat dairy products (if tolerated).
Nutritional Supplements: If you're struggling to meet your nutritional needs through diet alone, consider using nutritional supplements or protein shakes to boost your calorie and nutrient intake.

Warnings and Precautions

Before using Verzenio, it's essential to inform your healthcare provider about any existing health conditions, allergies, and all medications and supplements you are taking. Here are some important considerations:

Allergies: Do not take Verzenio if you are allergic to abemaciclib or any of the ingredients in the medication.
Pregnancy: Verzenio can harm an unborn baby, so it is crucial to use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 3 weeks after the last dose.
Infertility: Verzenio may cause fertility problems in men. Discuss this with your healthcare provider if it is a concern.
Current and Past Health Conditions: Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following:
- Fever, chills, or any other signs of an infection
- Blood clots
- Breathing or lung problems
- Liver problems
- Kidney problems

Interactions

Verzenio can interact with certain foods, drinks, and other medicines. It's essential to be aware of these interactions to minimize potential risks.

Grapefruit: Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Verzenio, as it can increase the level of the medicine in your blood and increase the risk of side effects.
Alcohol: It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Verzenio.
Other Medicines: Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and supplements you are using, especially ketoconazole (an antifungal medication) and other medicines that may alter the blood levels of Verzenio.

How to Take Verzenio

Take Verzenio exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Try to take your Verzenio doses at the same times every day.
If you vomit after you take Verzenio, you should not take another dose. Instead, take your next dose as scheduled.
Do not chew, cut, or crush Verzenio.
Do not take your Verzenio tablets if they look damaged, broken, or cracked. Contact your pharmacy to get the damaged, broken, or cracked Verzenio tablets replaced.

Additional Considerations

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Abemaciclib can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor, including prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Try to take your Verzenio 12 hours apart/ that seems to make a difference too.

Managing Side Effects

There are a number of things you can do to manage the side effects of abemaciclib. Talk to your care team about these recommendations. They can help you decide what will work best for you.

Blood Clots: This medication can increase the risk of blood clots (DVT or PE). Symptoms can include swelling, redness or pain in an extremity or shortness of breath. If you experience symptoms of these problems, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately or go to an emergency room.
Diarrhea: Diarrhea can be a serious side effect of this medication. As soon as you start to have diarrhea (usually within the first week), you should start taking anti-diarrheal medications and start drinking more fluids. Notify your care provider if you start to have diarrhea to determine which medications you should be taking. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration so it is important to manage this side effect. Can you tolerate yogurt? I feel like having a yogurt every day helped me with some of the stomach upset & D. But I know some people can’t tolerate dairy with the Verzenio.if you haven’t already, read through some of the Verzenio threads.
Infection and Low White Blood Cell Count (Leukopenia or Neutropenia): This medication can cause life-threatening infections, with or without a decrease in white blood cell counts. White blood cells (WBC) are important for fighting infection. While receiving treatment, your WBC count can drop, putting you at a higher risk of getting an infection. You should let your doctor or nurse know right away if you have a fever (temperature greater than 100.4°F or 38°C), sore throat or cold, shortness of breath, cough, burning with urination, or a sore that doesn't heal.
- Tips to preventing infection: Washing hands, both yours and your visitors, is the best way to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid large crowds and people who are sick (i.e.: those who have a cold, fever, or cough or live with someone with these symptoms). When working in your yard, wear protective clothing including long pants and gloves. Do not handle pet waste. Keep all cuts or scratches clean. Shower or bathe daily and perform frequent mouth care. Do not cut cuticles or ingrown nails. You may wear nail polish, but not fake nails. Ask your oncology care team before scheduling dental appointments or procedures. Ask your oncology care team before you, or someone you live with has any vaccinations.
Fatigue: Fatigue is very common during cancer treatment and is an overwhelming feeling of exhaustion that is not usually relieved by rest. While on cancer treatment, and for a period after, you may need to adjust your schedule to manage fatigue. Plan times to rest during the day and conserve energy for more important activities. Exercise can help combat fatigue; a simple daily walk with a friend can help. Talk to your healthcare team for helpful tips on dealing with this side effect.
Nausea and/or Vomiting: Talk to your oncology care team so they can prescribe medications to help you manage nausea and vomiting. In addition, dietary changes may help. Avoid things that may worsen the symptoms, such as heavy or greasy/fatty, spicy, or acidic foods (lemons, tomatoes, oranges). Try saltines, or ginger ale to lessen symptoms.Call your oncology care team if you are unable to keep fluids down for more than 12 hours or if you feel lightheaded or dizzy at any time.
Low Red Blood Cell Count (Anemia): Your red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to the tissues in your body. When the red cell count is low, you may feel tired or weak. You should let your oncology care team know if you experience any shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or pain in your chest. If the count gets too low, you may receive a blood transfusion.
Loss or Thinning of Scalp and Body Hair (Alopecia): Your hair may become thin, brittle, or may fall out. This typically begins two to three weeks after treatment starts. This hair loss can be all body hair, including pubic, underarms, legs/arms, eyelashes, and nose hairs. The use of scarves, wigs, hats, and hairpieces may help. Hair generally starts to regrow soon after treatment is completed. Remember your hair helps keep you warm in cold weather, so a hat is particularly important in cold weather or to protect you from the sun.
Decrease in Appetite: Nutrition is an important part of your care. Cancer treatment can affect your appetite and, in some cases, the side effects of treatment can make eating difficult. Ask your oncology care team about nutritional counseling services at your treatment center to help with food choices. Try to eat five or six small meals or snacks throughout the day, instead of 3 larger meals. If you are not eating enough, nutritional supplements may help. You may experience a metallic taste or find that food has no taste at all. You may dislike foods or beverages that you liked before receiving cancer treatment. These symptoms can last for several months or longer after treatment ends. Avoid any food that you think smells or tastes bad. If red meat is a problem, eat chicken, turkey, eggs, dairy products, and fish without a strong smell. Sometimes cold food has less of an odor. Add extra flavor to meat or fish by marinating it in sweet juices, sweet and sour sauce, or dressings. Use seasonings like basil, oregano, or rosemary to add flavor. Bacon, ham, and onion can add flavor to vegetables.
Headache: Your healthcare provider can recommend medications and other strategies to help relieve pain.
Low Platelet Count (Thrombocytopenia): Platelets help your blood clot, so when the count is low you are at a higher risk of bleeding. Let your oncology care team know if you have any excess bruising or bleeding, including nose bleeds, bleeding gums, or blood in your urine or stool. If the platelet count becomes too low, you may receive a transfusion of platelets. Do not use a razor (an electric razor is fine). Avoid contact sports and activities that can result in injury or bleeding. Do not take aspirin (salicylic acid), non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as Motrin/Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), Celebrex (celecoxib), etc. as these can all increase the risk of bleeding. Please consult with your healthcare team regarding the use of these agents and all over-the-counter medications/supplements while on therapy. Do not floss or use toothpicks and use a soft-bristle toothbrush to brush your teeth.
Kidney Problems: This medication can cause kidney problems, including an increased creatinine level, which your oncology care team may monitor for using blood tests. Notify your healthcare provider if you notice decreased urine output, blood in the urine, swelling in the ankles, or loss of appetite.
Liver Toxicity: This medication can cause liver toxicity, which your oncology care team may monitor for using blood tests called liver function tests. Notify your healthcare provider if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, your urine appears dark or brown, or you have pain in your abdomen, as these can be signs of liver toxicity.

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