Ongoing diarrhoea with abemaciclib

Hi, I’ve been on Abemaciclib for 18 months now. I had a dose reduction at the beginning due to diarhhoea but now find I have a bout of diarrhoea about every 6-8 wks. Does anyone else have the same? X

Hi, I had a dose reduction after cycle 21, so now on 100mgs twice a day. I’m into my 9th week on the reduced dose and my diarrhoea has improved, I’m now having diarrhoea every 6 days which for me is a big improvement. This drug affects us all differently, for me it has been a challenging journey.

Hi,

I was put on abemaciclib 150 mg twice a day along with monthly fulvestrant and denosumab injections in Oct 24 and experienced really bad diarrhea within a couple of hours of taking the tablet in the morning and night This triggered my already existing IBS. The only diarrhea tablets that really worked for me were the 59p ones from a well known bargain chemist which are suitable for IBS sufferers. Because of the IBS issues I was hoping to have a reduction in he 150mgx2 I developed drug induced pneumonitis in Dec 24 as a result abemaciclib was stopped ( no more tummy problems) after a ct scan at the end of Jan 25 I still have some lung inflammation so going forward abemaciclib will not now be considered as part of my treatment plan.

I wish you luck in finding a solution that works for you some people find the BRAT eating plan works for them

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@shade
So did u manage to stay on 150mg for 21 months?? (are cycles every month).
I’m already down to 100mg so don’t want to lower any further but just wondered if anyone has ongoing diarrhoea for the whole 2 years? I only get stomach pains and diarrhoea about once every 6-8 wks so it’s very manageable x

Hi Moobloo,
Yes I managed 21 cycles on 150mgs. A cycle is 28 days supply of Abemaciclib. I have had a lot of diarrhoea and fatigue whilst taking Abemaciclib. Now I’m on 100mgs having diarrhoea every 6 days is a big improvement for me. I developed thyroiditis whilst I’ve been taking Abemaciclib, as this drug as you are aware lowers your immunity. Due to this virus and the subsequent hyperthyroidism I developed I was having diarrhoea 6-8 times a day a one point. Developing the virus and the resulting thyroid problems was just bad luck but that is now history thank goodness. Anyway I’ve found the past 2 years difficult but I’ve just wanted to do all I could to try and reduce my risk of recurrence but it has been very difficult at times. I hope your time on Abemaciclib has been manageable.

@shade
Sorry to hear it’s been so bad for you but well done on persevering!! We are so lucky that this drug is available for us!! I reduced after 3 cycles and I haven’t found it that bad at all. I do have fatigue days but they r very rare now (about once every 2 months) so I’m coping well. I gave up alcohol recently and feel really positive about it-don’t think I’ll ever drink again!! (Think it was making fatigue worse).
Take care x

Hi,
I’m doing fine at the moment. Thyroid normal levels and the dose reduction has helped. I also gave up alcohol when I was diagnosed and like you I don’t miss it either. I wish you well on your remaining time on this drug. X

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Yes for me mostly ok but I have been doing a few things to help prevent it;

-No caffeine at all - this was definitely causing bouts for me
-Limit olive oil and any foods which are known to cause diarrhoea
-Limit alcohol
-I take Imodium that is on prescription every evening and this is the biggest thing and also work out when is the best time for you to take your Abemaciclib.
-Clothes that are restrictive around the waist can also bring it on so be mindful of what works best in this regard

Hope you get better and that the bouts become more infrequent!

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Hi I’ve been on Abemaciclib 150 mg for 5 months now. For the first 4 weeks I had many issues with stomach cramping and sudden diarrhoea. I was eating as I’d always eaten but did a food diary and found take aways, spiced food. Fat fried or fish and chips , pastries, pie’s quiche, sausage rolls, processed microwave meals were triggering an onset of irritable bowel and sudden need to empty bowel. Like literally sweating and cramping till bowel was empty. I’ve found that eating whole foods salads with chicken or salmon , jacket potatoes, meats and vegetables, Sunday dinners, casseroles, fruits and yogurt, cereals. Basically home cooking without all of the supermarket processed food has calmed my bowel situation down massively . Reduced the amount of what I call bowel incidents. I still get them occasionally but my nurse is happy with what I’m doing and reporting back to her and so are keeping me on 150mg they think I’m becoming tolerant of it now.

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Thanks for sharing and I bet you feel a lot better too. I think ultimately the drug forces you to eat more healthily but I really miss my coffee in the morning.