Ibrance (palbociclib) is a prescription brand-name medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it to treat breast cancer in adults that is:

For this purpose, Ibrance is used with other cancer medications.

The active drug in Ibrance, palbociclib, is classified as a CDK4/6 inhibitor. (CDK stands for cyclin-dependent kinase.) Ibrance is available as oral capsules and oral tablets. The medication isn’t currently available as a generic.

For information about the dosage of Ibrance, including its forms, strengths, and how to take the drug, keep reading. For a comprehensive look at Ibrance, see this article.

This article describes typical dosages for Ibrance provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Ibrance, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Keep reading for information about Ibrance dosages for treating breast cancer.

Ibrance forms

Ibrance is currently available as oral capsules and oral tablets.

However, the manufacturer of Ibrance has announced it’s changing the drug’s form from capsules to tablets. The tablets have some advantages over the capsules. The capsules should be taken with food. But the tablets may be taken with or without food. In addition, the capsules contain lactose and gelatin. But the tablets don’t contain these ingredients.

For more information about differences between Ibrance tablets and capsules, see this page from the drug’s manufacturer. You can also speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Ibrance strengths (75 mg, 100 mg, 125 mg)

Ibrance capsules and tablets are available in three strengths: 75 milligrams (mg), 100 mg, and 125 mg.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for your needs.

For treating breast cancer, the recommended Ibrance dosing schedule is based on a 28-day cycle.

First, you’ll take 125 mg once per day for 21 days. Then you’ll go 7 days without taking the medication. This is one 28-day cycle. You’ll repeat this cycle for as long as your doctor recommends. (For more information, see “Long-term use” below).

Long-term use

How long you should take Ibrance varies from person to person. You’ll repeat the 28-day treatment cycle as long as you and your doctor agree that the benefits of the drug outweigh any side effects. If your cancer begins to get worse during treatment, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking the drug.

The Ibrance dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • if you have certain side effects* from taking Ibrance
  • other medications you take
  • your liver function

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Ibrance dosage.

* To learn about side effects of Ibrance, see this article.

Dosage adjustment guide

It’s important to note that dosage adjustment guides for Ibrance vary. If your doctor determines you need a dosage modification ­­due to a side effect, they may use the following dosing chart:

Dosage reduction stageDosage
Beginning dosage125 mg once per day
First dosage reduction100 mg once per day
Second dosage reduction75 mg once per day

In some cases, your doctor may pause your use of Ibrance to treat the side effect, then adjust your dosage. Keep in mind that they’ll tailor your dosage and treatment plan for your specific situation.

For more details about dosage adjustments, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you miss a dose of Ibrance, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. You should not take an extra dose to try and make up for the missed dose.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Ibrance comes as oral capsules or oral tablets that you swallow whole. You should not open, crush, or chew the capsules. And you should not split, crush, or chew the tablets.

You should take the capsules with food. But you can take the tablets with or without food.

If you vomit after taking an Ibrance capsule or tablet, you should not take another dose. Instead, wait to take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time.

There’s no specific time that you should take your Ibrance dose. But you should try and take your dose at the same time each day. This helps make sure the level of the drug in your body stays steady so Ibrance can work effectively.

It’s important that you don’t use more Ibrance than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to side effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Ibrance

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much of Ibrance. Another option is to call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Ibrance for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes for you.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Ibrance without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Ibrance that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Ibrance. These additional articles might be helpful to you:

  • More about Ibrance. For information about other aspects of Ibrance, refer to this article.
  • Side effects. To learn about side effects of Ibrance, see this article. You can also look at the prescribing information for the form of the drug you’re taking: capsule or tablet.
  • Details about breast cancer. For details about breast cancer, see our cancer hub. You can also refer to our list of breast cancer articles.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.