palbociclib at a glance
Medicine class
Selective CDK4/6 inhibitor
Licensed role
Used with an aromatase inhibitor or, in eligible women previously treated with endocrine therapy, fulvestrant.
Tablet administration
Swallow whole; take with or without food and avoid grapefruit.
What is palbociclib used for?
UK-licensed uses represented by the selected product are:
Hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, combined with an aromatase inhibitor.
The same cancer type combined with fulvestrant in women who have previously received endocrine therapy.
For premenopausal or perimenopausal women, endocrine treatment is combined with ovarian suppression using an LHRH agonist.
How does palbociclib work?
Palbociclib reversibly inhibits cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6. This prevents susceptible cancer cells from progressing from the G1 phase into the DNA-replication phase of the cell cycle, slowing their proliferation.
palbociclib preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 75 mg, 100 mg, 125 mg
How to take palbociclib
Follow the individual treatment plan provided by the oncology team.
Swallow film-coated tablets whole with water.
Do not chew, crush or split them.
Do not take a tablet that is broken, cracked or otherwise damaged.
Tablets may be taken with or without food.
Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
Do not stop treatment unless instructed by the oncology team.
palbociclib side effects
Common or expected effects
- Reduced neutrophils or other blood cells
- Infections
- Tiredness or weakness
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Sore mouth or mouth ulcers
- Reduced appetite or altered taste
- Hair thinning or loss
- Rash or dry skin
- Abnormal liver blood-test results
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever, chills or other signs of infection, particularly with reduced neutrophils
- New or worsening cough, breathlessness or chest pain, which may indicate pneumonitis
- Pain, redness or swelling in a limb, sudden breathlessness or chest pain, which may indicate a blood clot
- Unusual bleeding, marked bruising or severe weakness associated with blood-cell changes
- Severe muscle pain or weakness, especially when palbociclib is combined with certain statins
palbociclib in pregnancy
Palbociclib is not recommended during pregnancy because animal studies indicate reproductive toxicity and human evidence is limited. People who could conceive, and male patients whose partner could conceive, should discuss highly effective contraception and its required continuation after treatment with their oncology team. Tell the team promptly about a pregnancy or pregnancy plans.
palbociclib while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding should be avoided during palbociclib treatment. It is unknown whether palbociclib passes into human milk or could harm a breastfed child.
palbociclib interactions
Ask the oncology team or pharmacist to check all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products. Important examples include:
Strong CYP3A inhibitors, including clarithromycin, itraconazole, posaconazole and some HIV antivirals
They can increase palbociclib exposure and toxicity, so concurrent use should generally be avoided or specialist-managed.
Strong CYP3A inducers, including carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampicin and enzalutamide
They can substantially reduce palbociclib exposure and may reduce its effectiveness.
St John’s wort
It reduces palbociclib exposure and is contraindicated with the selected product.
Common questions about palbociclib
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What type of cancer is palbociclib used for?
It is licensed with hormonal therapy for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that is locally advanced or metastatic.
Is palbociclib chemotherapy?
It is a targeted anticancer treatment called a CDK4/6 inhibitor rather than conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, although it can still significantly affect blood-cell counts.
Why is palbociclib given with hormonal therapy?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.