Ibrutinib
About Ibrutinib
Ibrutinib is a prescription medicine used to treat certain blood cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, small lymphocytic lymphoma, and Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia. It may also be used for certain other conditions, depending on the approved use and your treatment history.
Take this medicine regularly at the same time each day. Swallow it with water and follow the instructions for your prescribed formulation. It can generally be taken with or without food. Avoid grapefruit and Seville oranges, including their juices, because they can increase the amount of medicine in your blood and raise the risk of side effects.
Common side effects may include diarrhoea, tiredness, nausea, rash, and muscle or joint pain. This medicine can also cause serious problems, including bleeding, infections, high blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms. Consult your doctor right away if you develop unusual bleeding, signs of infection, chest discomfort, severe dizziness, or a fast or irregular heartbeat.
Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have bleeding problems, heart disease or an abnormal heart rhythm, high blood pressure, liver problems, or an infection. Do not take this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to ibrutinib or any ingredient in your prescribed product.
Tell your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products you take because some can affect how ibrutinib works or increase the risk of side effects. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, breastfeeding, or are an older adult. Your doctor will advise you about appropriate contraception during and after treatment.
Uses of Ibrutinib
Medicinal Benefits
Ibrutinib provides targeted treatment for certain blood cancers by blocking signals that abnormal B cells need to survive and grow.
- Helps control the disease: By reducing the growth and survival of abnormal cells, this medicine can slow disease progression.
- May reduce disease-related symptoms: As the condition responds to treatment, symptoms such as swollen lymph nodes, tiredness, or night sweats may improve.
- Provides an oral treatment option: Because the medicine is taken by mouth, treatment can usually be taken at home rather than requiring an intravenous infusion for each dose.
- Supports long-term disease management: Treatment may continue for as long as it remains effective and side effects can be safely managed.
Directions for Use
- Ibrutinib can be taken with or without food.
- It is usually recommended once daily; however, follow your doctor’s advice regarding the dosage and duration.
- Swallow the capsule as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, chew or crush Ibrutinib.
Storage
Side Effects of Ibrutinib
Common Side Effects (Usually Mild)
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling tired or weak
- Nausea
- Muscle, joint, or bone pain
- Rash
- Bruising
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Unusual or severe bleeding, blood in the urine or stools, or coughing or vomiting blood
- Fever, chills, persistent cough, or other signs of infection
- Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, severe dizziness, or fainting
- Sudden weakness, confusion, difficulty speaking, or other unusual neurological symptoms
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Watch for bleeding: Tell your doctor about unusual bruising, prolonged bleeding, black stools, blood in your urine, or other signs of bleeding.
- Tell your doctor before procedures: Your doctor may advise stopping this medicine for a short period before and after surgery or dental procedures because of the risk of bleeding.
- Watch for infections: Consult your doctor if you develop fever, chills, persistent cough, or other signs of infection.
- Monitor your heart health: Tell your doctor promptly about a racing or irregular heartbeat, chest discomfort, fainting, or new shortness of breath.
- Check your blood pressure: This medicine can cause or worsen high blood pressure, so your doctor may monitor it during treatment.
- Discuss vaccinations: Ask your doctor before receiving any vaccine. Live vaccines are generally avoided during treatment.
- Use contraception as advised: Ibrutinib may harm an unborn baby. Follow your doctor's instructions about effective contraception during treatment and for the recommended period after your last dose.
- Keep your monitoring appointments: Your doctor may arrange blood tests and other checks to monitor blood cell counts, liver function, infections, bleeding risk, and other side effects.
Drug Interactions
- Blood Thinners (like warfarin, aspirin, or ibuprofen): Taking these with Ibrutinib can significantly increase your risk of serious bleeding.
- Strong CYP3A Inhibitors (like ketoconazole, clarithromycin, or ritonavir): These can slow down how your body clears this medicine, raising its levels in your blood and increasing the risk of severe side effects.
- Strong CYP3A Inducers (like rifampin, phenytoin, or carbamazepine): These can speed up how your body processes the medicine, making it less effective.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is not known if alcohol affects Ibrutinib. However, avoid consumption of alcohol while on treatment with Ibrutinib as it may worsen your condition.
Pregnancy
unsafeIbrutinib belongs to pregnancy category D. Ibrutinib should not be used during pregnancy. Use effective contraception and avoid pregnancy during treatment with Ibrutinib.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while taking Ibrutinib.
Driving
cautionIbrutinib may cause dizziness and tiredness. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience any side effects that might lessen your ability to do so.
Liver
cautionAvoid taking Ibrutinib if you have moderate or severe baseline liver impairment. Dose adjustment may be needed in patients with mild liver impairment. If you have a history of liver disease, inform the doctor.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have a history of kidney disease, inform your doctor before taking Ibrutinib.
Children
unsafeIbrutinib is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay hydrated: Drink enough fluids, particularly if you develop diarrhoea, unless your doctor has advised you to limit fluids.
- Avoid grapefruit and Seville oranges: These fruits and their juices can increase the amount of ibrutinib in your blood and raise the risk of side effects.
- Reduce infection risk: Wash your hands regularly and avoid close contact with people who have contagious infections when possible.
- Protect yourself from bleeding: Use a soft toothbrush and take care when using sharp objects, particularly if you bruise or bleed easily.
- Eat a balanced diet: Choose a varied diet that supports your nutritional needs during treatment, and discuss significant appetite or weight changes with your healthcare team.
Special Advise
- Women of childbearing potential should use highly effective contraception during treatment and for three months after receiving the last dose.
- If you are due to undergo any surgery, including dental surgery, inform the doctor/dentist that you are on treatment with Ibrutinib.
- Your doctor may recommend tests to check liver function.
- Drink plenty of water or other fluids while taking Ibrutinib.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL): Mantle cell lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymph nodes. Symptoms include swelling of lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain, bloating, and indigestion.
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL): Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is a type of cancer affecting white blood cells called lymphocytes that also involves the lymph nodes. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, easy bruising, and fatigue.
Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia (WM): Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. Symptoms include anaemia (lack of red blood cells), frequent infections due to lack of white blood cells, swelling of lymph nodes, pain and discomfort.
FAQs
Ibrutinib is used to treat Mantle cell lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, and Waldenstr’s macroglobulinaemia.
Ibrutinib works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein that helps cancer cells multiply. Thereby, it stops the spread of cancer cells.
Ibrutinib may make you bleed more easily. Therefore, consult the doctor if you are taking blood thinner medicines (heparin, warfarin), NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen), or supplements that may increase the risk of bleeding (flaxseed, vitamin E, fish oil).
Ibrutinib may affect the heart, especially if you already have heart diseases like heart failure, heart rhythm problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, or are of advanced age. Consult the doctor instantly if you experience symptoms of heart failure like breathlessness, difficulty breathing when lying down, weakness/tiredness, or swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs.
There is no well-established direct interaction between ibrutinib and alcohol. However, alcohol may worsen some side effects or increase bleeding risk in certain situations. Ask your doctor whether alcohol is appropriate for you during treatment.
Tell your doctor, dentist, or surgeon that you take this medicine. Because it can increase bleeding risk, your doctor may advise stopping treatment for a short period before and after the procedure. Do not stop it yourself.
Hair loss is not one of the most common side effects of ibrutinib. Tell your doctor if you notice significant or unexpected hair loss during treatment.
Ask your doctor before receiving any vaccine. Live vaccines are generally avoided during treatment because your immune response may be affected. Your doctor can advise which vaccines are appropriate for you.
Ibrutinib is a targeted cancer treatment rather than traditional chemotherapy. It blocks a specific protein called BTK that certain abnormal B cells need for growth and survival.
Treatment is often continued for as long as it is controlling the condition and side effects remain manageable. Your doctor will regularly review your response and decide how long treatment should continue.
Blood tests help your doctor monitor blood cell counts, liver function, and other changes that may occur during treatment. They also help your doctor decide whether your dose or treatment needs to be adjusted.
Consult your doctor right away if you notice a racing, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat, particularly if it occurs with chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting.
Ibrutinib may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Follow your doctor's advice about contraception during and after treatment and about whether breastfeeding is appropriate.
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