Ribociclib: MedlinePlus Drug Information

T Why is this medication prescribed?
P Ribociclib is used in combination with another medication to treat a certain type of hormone receptor–positive, advanced breast cancer (breast cancer that depends on hormones such as estrogen to grow) in women who have experienced menopause (change of life; end of monthly menstrual periods). Ribociclib is in a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that signals cancer cells to multiply. This helps slow or stop the spread of cancer cells.

T How should this medicine be used?
P Ribociclib comes as a tablet to take by mouth with or without food. It is usually taken once daily in the morning for the first 21 days of a 28-day cycle. Take ribociclib at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ribociclib exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
P Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Do not take tablets that are broken or crushed.
P If you vomit after taking ribociclib, do not take another dose. Continue your regular dosing schedule.
P Your doctor may decrease your dose of ribociclib or permanently or temporarily stop your treatment. This depends on how well the medication works for you and the side effects you experience. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with ribociclib.
P Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

T Other uses for this medicine
P This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

T What special precautions should I follow?
t Before taking ribociclib,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ribociclib, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in ribociclib tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone, Pacerone); certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac) and moxifloxacin (Avelox); certain antifungal medications such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), posaconazole (Noxafil), and voriconazole (Vfend); bepridil (no longer available in U.S.); boceprevir (Victrelis, no longer available in U.S.); chloroquine (Aralen); conivaptan; cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal); disopyramide (Norpace); ergotamine (Ergomar, in Cafergot, in Migergot); everolimus (Afinitor, Zortress); fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Fentora, Onsolis); halofantrine (Halfan; no longer available in U.S.); haloperidol (Haldol); certain medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) such as indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir (in Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), and saquinavir (Invirase); certain medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Teril, others) and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); methadone (Dolophine, Methadose); nefazodone; ondansetron (intravenous); pimozide (Orap); procainamide; quinidine (in Nuedexta); rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin, in Rifamate, in Rifater); sirolimus (Rapamune); sotalol (Betapace, Sotylize); or tacrolimus (Envarsus XR, Prograf). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with ribociclib, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's Wort.
- tell your doctor if you have had a recent heart attack; or have or have ever had a slow heartbeat; a prolonged QT interval (a rare heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death); abnormal levels of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, or magnesium in your blood; heart failure; or liver or heart disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You will need to take a pregnancy test before you start treatment. Use a reliable method of birth control to prevent pregnancy during your treatment and for 3 weeks after your final dose of ribociclib. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you become pregnant while taking ribociclib, call your doctor immediately. Ribociclib may harm the fetus.
- tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed while taking ribociclib and for at least 3 weeks after your final dose.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking ribociclib.

T What special dietary instructions should I follow?
P Do not eat grapefruit or pomegranates or drink grapefruit or pomegranate juice while taking this medication.

T What should I do if I forget a dose?
P Skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

T What side effects can this medication cause?
t Ribociclib may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- diarrhea
- constipation
- stomach pain
- headache
- hair loss
- back pain
- rash
- itching
- mouth sores
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
t Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- fever, sore throat, chills, or other signs of infection
- rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- shortness of breath
- dizziness
- fainting
- yellowing of the skin or eyes
- dark or brown (tea-colored) urine
- tiredness
- loss of appetite
- pain in upper right side of stomach
- nausea
- vomiting
- bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
P Ribociclib may decrease fertility in men. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking ribociclib.
P Ribociclib may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
P If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

T What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
P Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
P Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
P It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

T In case of emergency/overdose
P In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

T What other information should I know?
P Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and during your treatment to check your body's response to ribociclib. Your doctor may also order an electrocardiogram (ECG; test that measures the electrical activity in the heart) before and during your treatment.
P Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
P It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

T Brand names
- Kisqali®

