Kisqali (ribociclib) is a brand-name drug prescribed for certain types of breast cancer in adults. Kisqali comes as an oral tablet that’s typically taken once daily on the first 21 days of a 28-day cycle.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Kisqali to treat breast cancer that:
- has hormone receptors
- does not have human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, and
- is advanced or metastatic
The drug comes as an oral tablet. You will take it in combination with a hormone therapy medication, such as an aromatase inhibitor or the drug Faslodex (fulvestrant).
Kisqali is a kinase inhibitor. It’s only available as a brand-name drug. There are currently no available generic versions.
For a comprehensive look at Kisqali, see this article.
This section describes the typical dosage for Kisqali provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Kisqali, always follow the dosage your doctor prescribes.
Dosage summary
The following table summarizes Kisqali’s dosage. The strength is measured in milligrams (mg). Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s best for you.
| Kisqali form | Kisqali strength | Recommended dosage | How often to take |
|---|---|---|---|
| oral tablet | 200 mg | 600 mg | once daily for 21 days followed by 7 days without Kisqali treatment |
Below, you’ll find details about the dosage of Kisqali, including its strength and how to take the drug.
Kisqali form
Kisqali comes as an oral tablet.
Kisqali strength
Kisqali comes in one strength: 200 milligrams (mg).
Typical dosage
The following information describes the dosage that is commonly taken or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Kisqali dosage for breast cancer
The dosage of Kisqali is the same for all the forms of breast cancer it’s approved to treat.
The recommended dose is 600 mg (three 200-mg tablets) once daily for 21 days. After 21 days of treatment, you won’t take Kisqali for 7 days. This makes one 28-day cycle. You’ll continue treatment with additional 28-day cycles. This will be for as long as you and your doctor determine Kisqali is right for you.
Your doctor will typically prescribe Kisqali with an aromatase inhibitor or the drug Faslodex (fulvestrant). Talk with your doctor about which drug and dosages are right for you.
Long-term treatment
Kisqali is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Kisqali is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
The Kisqali dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your kidney or liver function
- what other drugs you take
- if you experience side effects from Kisqali treatment
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Kisqali dosage.
Dose adjustments
Your doctor may recommend a dose reduction if your kidneys or liver don’t work as well as they should. They may also reduce your dose if you take certain other drugs. (For some examples of these drugs, see this article.) Be sure to tell your doctor before you start or stop taking any new drugs.
If you experience certain side effects, your doctor may recommend a dose reduction or break from treatment. They may even recommend you stop taking Kisqali. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any side effects while taking Kisqali. (To learn more about the side effects of Kisqali, see this article.)
If you miss a dose of Kisqali, do not take the missed dose. Also, if you vomit after taking Kisqali, do not take another dose that day. Continue your usual dosing schedule the next day. (Vomiting is a known mild side effect of Kisqali. For more details on the side effects of the drug, see this article.)
If you are unsure whether you should take a missed dose of Kisqali, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
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.
Kisqali is an oral tablet that you’ll swallow whole.
Do not chew, crush, or split the tablet. And do not take the tablet if it is cracked, broken, or damaged in any other way.
Try to take Kisqali at the same time each day, preferably when you start your day. For most people, this means taking Kisqali in the morning. You can take Kisqali with or without food.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug labels and containersIf you’re having trouble reading your prescription label, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Kisqali in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
It’s important that you don’t take more Kisqali 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 Kisqali
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Kisqali. Another option is to call America’s Poison 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.
This section includes the answers to some frequently asked questions about Kisqali dosage.
Why do I need to take Kisqali in the morning?
The manufacturer recommends taking Kisqali in the morning but doesn’t give a reason for this.
However, insomnia is a possible side effect of Kisqali. Taking Kisqali at the start of your day may help prevent insomnia. For most people, this means taking the drug in the morning.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what the best time is for you to take Kisqali.
If my doctor prescribes the Kisqali Femara co-pack, what’s the dosage of Kisqali?
The Kisqali Femara co-pack includes Kisqali (ribociclib) and Femara (letrozole) tablets. The dosage of Kisqali in this package is the same as the dosage you’d typically take if you were taking Kisqali by itself.
The dosage will be 600 mg (three 200-mg tablets) once daily for 21 days. After the 21 days, you will take Kisqali for 7 days. This will complete a 28-day cycle of treatment. You’ll continue treatment with additional 28-day cycles. This will be for as long as you and your doctor determine Kisqali is right for you. (To learn more, see “Kisqali dosage for breast cancer” in the “Kisqali dosage” section above.)
If you have questions about the Kisqali Femara co-pack, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
What do I do if I vomit after taking my Kisqali dose?
If you vomit after taking your Kisqali dose, do not take another dose that day. Wait until the next day and take your dose at your regularly scheduled time. (Vomiting is a known mild side effect of Kisqali. For more details on the side effects of the drug, see this article.)
If you’re unsure whether you should take your Kisqali dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
The dosage in this article is the typical dosage provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Kisqali 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 Kisqali without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Kisqali that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Kisqali. These additional articles might be helpful to you:
- More about Kisqali: For information about other aspects of Kisqali, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about the side effects of Kisqali, see this article. You can also look at the Kisqali prescribing information.
- Drug comparison: Find out how Kisqali compares with Ibrance and Afinitor.
- Details about breast cancer: For details about breast cancer, see our breast cancer hub and list of related 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.