High liver function results after taking Ibrance for 3 weeks?

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pp729
pp729 Member Posts: 135
edited July 2019 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

My mom completed her first 21-day prescription of Ibrance, followed by blood work the week she was off the med. Her liver function tests were very high: ALT = 184 and AST = 154. They are retesting next week.

I am wondering if anyone else taking Ibrance has experienced this?

PS: My mom began Anastrozole (Arimidex) 1mg on 4/12/19 and Ibrance (Palbociclib) 75 mg on 5/13/19.

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  • Micmel
    Micmel Member Posts: 9,450
    edited June 2019

    i believe I have read many times that liver function can temporarily fluctuate and are not reliable until they stabilize. Usually in the first few months they will test her every month to keep an eye on all aspects of how ibrance effects our system. Read the information that accompanies the medicine and you will see it mentions This as a possible side effect. Your doctor will watch every aspect of her counts and levels. If you have concerns after another round of blood testing (or even before) don't be afraid to call your mothers oncologist for more understanding. That's what they are here for. Did they assign her a nurse navigator when she was diagnosed? Sometimes they are also very helpful. Don't google. Sometimes mister google does more harm then good,because we are people and those statistics are way outdated and quite frankly confusing! Hang in there. I have been on ibrance for 33 months and have been on 125 mgs... this is fabulous medicine and my bloodwork wasn't always perfect either. Try to focus on one day and one blood work at a time.

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  • pp729
    pp729 Member Posts: 135
    edited June 2019

    Micmei, thanks for your reassurances! It helps to hear from someone who has been taking the same med for awhile. Yes, they will be retesting her bloodwork next week -- and every 2 weeks for the first 3 months. You are correct -- don't google. I also got caught offguard yesterday because I saw a complete Ibrance commercial on the TV and the very end of it said that common side affects are low white blood count and infection (my mom's blood test also showed low WBC and RBC), nausea (which she is also experiencing and just started on Zofran for), and liver abnormalities.

    Fortunately, her oncologist and nurse navigator have been great as my mom is 12 hours away from me. So, phone calls and emails and the patient portal have been working very well for us. Thanks again for your reply!


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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited June 2019

    I might be more suspicious of the aromatase inhibitor’s contribution to your mom’ elevation in liver enzymes since it had been taken for an additional month! Hopefully the repeat labs this week will show improvement...

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  • pp729
    pp729 Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2019

    Vinrph, that makes sense as well. Hoping for better test results this week and am happy that she's doing blood work every 2 weeks for at least 3 months.

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  • JFL
    JFL Member Posts: 1,947
    edited July 2019

    What were her AST and ALT before she started Ibrance and Arimidex? Some people experience flares when they start a new medication. I had that issue when I started hormone therapy and a few chemos. Or sometimes levels can jump temporarily when one is sick. The next few blood tests should help to resolve if her levels start to come back down or continue to climb.

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  • pp729
    pp729 Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2019

    Good question JFL. Since early 2018, her ALT is been in the 12-24 range and was 17 on 4/9/19 and 16 on 5/28/19 -- up to 184 with this last test. Her AST has been 18-34 since early 2018 and was 27 on 4/9/19 and 18 on 5/28/19 -- up to 154 with this last test. Hoping the retest on 7/3/19 is lower.

    She began Anastrozole (Arimidex) 1mg on 4/12/19 and Ibrance (Palbociclib) 75 mg on 5/13/19.

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  • Moomala
    Moomala Member Posts: 436
    edited July 2019

    My liver enzymes have been elevated for as long as I can remember so i don't get too excited about it. Still...my letrazole and Ibrance starting dates are similar to your mother's. After the first month my liver enzymes took a big dip and the second month they were right back up to elevated again - similar numbers as you're mother's. My body's definitely getting itself adjusted to the drugs. It seems that several of my numbers are all over the place the last two months. I also noticed that starting month three of the drugs, the letrazole side effects really kicked in big time. Big aches in my hips, legs and back. Yowza!

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  • JFL
    JFL Member Posts: 1,947
    edited July 2019

    Probably not likely, but I do recall that there was someone on these boards years back that had an issue with Ibrance - it caused her liver enzymes to sky rocket as if she reacted differently to the medication than most people and may have had an intolerance to it for some unknown reason. I have only heard that with one person though.

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  • pp729
    pp729 Member Posts: 135
    edited July 2019

    Good news, my mom's liver tests were back down to the normal range (ALT = 61 and AST =28). She will remain on Ibrance and anastrazole, with blood work every 2 weeks for the first 3 months. Thanks to all who replied to my question.


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