I’m due to start abemaciclib tomorrow and wondered what time is best to take it and whether to take it after breakfast or before breakfast. What’s peoples experiences of it and the side effects of diarrhea and stomach pains. Do people take it and then don’t eat for an hour or two after? The leaflet said with or without food. I’m feeling anxious ad have a baby to look after.
Hi @rosa1, I was in the May 24 chemo starters with you.
I’m on my 3rd cycle of Abemaciclib and have had minimal side effects so far. This is what I’m doing, which are things I noted from a facebook group, I’m not sure which are helpful I just try and do as many as possible!
° taking 9am and 9pm, roughly
° leaving at least 11 hours between taking them
° no food for an hour either side (I aim for 2 but find 1 is enough)
° lots of water, 2 litres, its tough but my bloods show my kidneys need it
° kefir, daily if I can
° unripe bananas, daily if I can
° avoiding very greasy foods, I’ve found this is a trigger for me
If you start to struggle keep a food diary, including when you take the tablets and go to the loo.
Its always possible to have a dose reduction if you need it, it seems lots of oncologists believe this doesn’t effect the treatment from what I’ve heard others say, and mine said the same thing.
My side effects have been a little diarrhea, but really manageable and slightly thinning eyebrows.
Hope that helps you a bit and you and the children are doing well xxx
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Hi @rosa1, I usually take my pills with food at breakfast and dinner, around 7 AM and 7 PM. What I’ve noticed is that coffee triggers diarrhea about 1-2 hours later. Also, depending on what I have for lunch (crudités or fish seem to be triggers for me), I might experience diarrhea again 1-2 hours after eating. I’m careful about what I eat and drink, especially when I’m out and unsure if there are nearby toilets. Try to pay attention to what might trigger diarrhea—it’s a common side effect. For me, that’s the main side effect and I get tired more easily. I hope everything goes well for you, and I wish you all the best 
Hi I take my Abemaciclib one hour after my antihistamine and after breakfast, i take the 2nd 12 hours later. hope this helps, i’ve been on it for the 2 years now. Because i’m on Letrozole as well… i found letrozole bungs you up and Abemaciclib lossens your bowels, thus Letrozole taken between both abema.,
For the first few months i religiously noted down when the tables were taken, and when i have a boewl movement, until i found the most convenient, well its never convenient, but when i knew i would be at home. i was advised to always have an emergency bag with me that contains Large pads, on the suspect days, and to use post - emergency. wet wipes, and both Loperamide and the other for nausea etc. I still carry this in my car, my friends car and when out and about. Might be worth getting a Radar key to use the disabled facilities as they often have a wash basin in the same unit.
Take care, Love and light, Moonsox.
Hi @moonsox, are you taking the antihistamine because of the Abemaciclib or for something else? I’m just about to start it and am slightly dreading it.
No I’m not taking any antihistamine
No I’m taking antihistamine because of hay fever - primarily now when the trees begin to come out.
Another point re the Abemaciclib, they start you on a high dose first 250 mg, and you are more likely to have stomach aches and need for the tablets they give you. but don’t fret, just keep a diary of what and when you take any tablets and any side E you have. i used to send monthly reports of the summary,to my christie team - i found this easier than trying to answer their questions on the date they chose to ring you. and soon got moved onto the next lower dosage, i eventually as now moved onto 50 mg, and have vertually no symptoms, other than when i eat the wrong food. The Key issue with these drugs they are an experiment, and they want you to stick with the best dose that suits, some women can manage 250 mg, many can’t. They have only been giving this drug in the last 3 years; but we are setting a president for those that follow. do not be afraid of asking any questions you have of your team, they are there to guide you. And feel free to ask me again anything. Love and light Moonsox xx
Hi
I take an antihistamine 1st then one hour later after breakfast take my Abemaciclib, 12 hours later i take the pm abemaciclib, half way between the 2 Abema, i take my letrozole… THis usually then entails my normal bowel action occurs in the morning.
In the early days when on a higher dose, the pains i felt first occured lower right of my belly, as food passed - Pelvic flexure, about 6 hours after that I have normal bowel movement.
Pre - needing the loo urgently felt stronger pain, almost like a cramp. and we found it useful to know where loos would be on any journey. Macmillan can provide you with and emergency card that you can present in any establishment you may be in, ie when out shopping, in the store. We never got refused. in another reply i mentioned the pink bag, contains, parge pads, change of knickers and the relvant tablets.
The disgusting part is that your Bolus may get stuck before entering the u bend, and then you have to awful task wearing a blck rubber glove of having to mash it up and help on the way. the awful part means flushing often throughout a large process. Hence eating small meals can help. What we suffer sadly is part of the journey but this does include some of teh grueling facts and i hope it gets to the ladies that need to be aware of it, going forward. Take care and be prepared. You will get through, love and light Moonsox xx