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Verzenios ® (abemaciclib)
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Can a Verzenios® (abemaciclib) patient receive COVID-19 vaccinations?
The use of vaccines against COVID-19 in patients treated with abemaciclib, while not contraindicated, has not been systematically studied.
Warnings and considerations for the concomitant use of COVID-19 vaccines and abemaciclib
Monitor for signs of infections and laboratory anomalies if a patient receives a vaccination before or during the abemaciclib therapy.
Please consider the risk and benefits of the vaccination on an individual patient basis.
The following adverse events related to the use of abemaciclib may be important to consider when managing a patient being administered a COVID-19 vaccine or booster while concomitantly being treated with abemaciclib.1
ILD-Related Warnings and Precautions
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) and/or pneumonitis was reported in patients receiving abemaciclib.
Monitor patients for pulmonary symptoms that could indicate ILD/pneumonitis and treat them as medically appropriate. Symptoms may include hypoxia, cough, dyspnea, or interstitial infiltrates on radiologic exams. Infectious, neoplastic, and other causes for such symptoms should be excluded by means of appropriate investigations.
Based on the severity of ILD/pneumonitis, abemaciclib may require dose modification.1
Neutropenia-Related Warnings and Precautions
Grade ≥3 neutropenia was reported in patients receiving abemaciclib in breast cancer studies.
Monitor complete blood counts prior to starting abemaciclib therapy, every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, monthly for the next 2 months, and as clinically indicated.
Dose modification is recommended for patients who develop grade 3 or 4 neutropenia.1
Diarrhea-Related Warnings and Precautions
Diarrhea was the most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse event in patients receiving abemaciclib in clinical studies.
Monitor patients and treat diarrhea reactively rather than routine preventive administration of antidiarrheal medications.
Based on the severity of diarrhea, abemaciclib may require dose modification.1
Infectious Disease Resources for COVID-19 Vaccines
For the most current information regarding COVID-19, please refer to the following resources:
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak on the regional office of the EU WHO
- COVID-19 on the ECDC web page.2,3
Additional information and considerations for the use of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients being treated for cancer is available from ESMO at: https://www.esmo.org/covid-19-and-cancer/covid-19-vaccination.
References
1Data on file, Eli Lilly and Company and/or one of its subsidiaries.
2Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. World Health Organization Europe. Accessed March 20, 2020. http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov
3COVID-19. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Accessed March 20, 2020. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china
Links to references and third-party websites are provided solely for your convenience and to facilitate easy access to the sources cited.
Date of Last Review: 24 June 2024