Ibrance (Palbociclib)

I have Medicaid and they are covering ibrance. The Pharmancist also explained it to me like it was a form of chemo drug. I hope everyone gets it covered.

Daisylover,

My onc says it doesn't matter whether it's prilosec, tums or zantac, but try to take it 12 hours away from the time I take the Ibrance/letrozole. Interesting that we are both at Dana Farber, but you got completely different info (you said they told you no prilosec whatsoever) - also Packoftwo said the pharmacist says only 4 hours gap. Anyway, I have not been following the 12 hour thing since I didn't know about it, so hopefully it was not totally blocked for these first 2 weeks.

Prilosec is a time release antacid,so I wonder if it releases for 24 hours or 12.

I will now have to switch to taking the Ibrance either morning or night to get the 12 hour gap. I had been taking it at lunch which was working out well since I don't really eat breakfast and dinnertime can be hectic. Wish I could get off the Prilosec, but I have needed it -especially at night to sleep - since my first radiation treatments, and where I usually take it late in the day, not sure if a switch to the morning would prevent it working at night when I most need it.

Good luck to those who are starting out!

That is good to know about the prilosec, I take it twice a day. Guess I will have to visit with Onc about that.

I am in hopes I hae been approved. CVS pharmacy called yesterday but I was at work still.. So still waiting!

Redroan

Can any CVS Pharmacy get Ibrance we were told it had to be a specialty pharmacy. My first came from Cleveland Clinic's Pharmacy but our local CVS would be a lot more convenient

Hi everyone,

Thank you, Daisylover, for that info on antacids/Ibrance.

Per Daisylover who is on the Dana Farber feasibility trial ), protein pump inhibitors (i.e., Prilosec) are prohibited, at least on that Dana Farber Ibrance feasibility trial. However, Pharmacist is not prohibiting it nor is my oncologist - however, I think I am going to try to go off the Prilosec and try the Zantac in case.

Here's what the pharmacist at Dana Farber said:

Prilosec : peak release is within 1st 6 hours - but it's in the system for 24 hours and IS A PROTEIN PUMP INHIBITOR (so prohibited on the trial). My doctor says it's OK but should be spaced at least 12 hours from the Ibrance.

Zantac: 1/2 leaves in 2-3 hrs and rest is over 8 hours or 10 hours max - it's NOT A PROTEIN PUMP INHIBITOR AND SHOULD BE OUT OF SYSTEM IN 10 HOURS (so I think this might be a better option if it works?)

Tums: calcium - they bind to a lot of drugs, so should space at least 4 hours apart from Ibrance as well. She couldn't say how long they stay in your system.

IN CONCLUSION: Although I am still not sure if there's a real difference, I don't want to block the Ibrance so I will try the Zantac instead of Prilosec since it only stays for max 10 hours (prilosec is 24 hours and TUMS is unknown) and I will take the Zantac at night since problem is worst at night. Hope it works as well as the Prilosec.

Terri-c so far so good for me with no side effects. My white count is holding up good so I hope it does the job of getting rid of the mets. My prayers are with you also!!

Hi everyone,

I am 2+ weeks out (3 pills to go after today) and just got yesterday's blood counts, so I thought I'd check in. I don't know anything about blood counts (will need to learn soon), but the nurse says they are sort of low but she isn't worried since I will have a week off soon, and it looks like I can probably keep going on the Ibrance for another cycle, but I suppose I'll find out for sure at the next visit April 8. I imagine they will check again when I have the Zumeta and maybe they will check the tumor markers (since she didn't give me those, I guess they only checked the blood cell counts). I am rather tired, but I'm happy that the itchy red bumps have disappeared from my arms and legs since I stopped the Faslodex. Some hot flashes but not much, but no other side effects to report so far. Happy April Fools Day, thanks for reminding me - yes, I will have to come up with a good prank!

Here are the counts:

white: 1.7

hemo: 11.3

hematocrit: 33.7

platelets: 237

Myra, I will be praying for those platelets to go up - good luck on friday!