Verzenio: Side Effects, Alternatives, How It Works, And More

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Key takeaways

Verzenio (abemaciclib) is a brand-name tablet prescribed for breast cancer in certain situations. It’s a targeted cancer therapy. It blocks the activity of proteins that help cancer cells grow.
Common side effects include abdominal pain, fatigue, and nausea. Serious side effects can include blood conditions, lung problems, liver damage, and severe infection.
Verzenio’s price depends on factors such as your insurance coverage and your location. A program called Verzenio Continuous Care may help lower costs.

Verzenio is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat breast cancer in adults in certain situations. The drug is used when the cancer is both HR-positive and HER2-negative. This means the cancer has certain hormone receptors (attachment sites) and proteins that affect how it grows.

Drug details

Here is some key information about Verzenio.

Drug class: kinase inhibitor
Drug form: oral tablet
Generic available? no
Prescription required? yes
Controlled substance? no
Year of FDA approval: 2017

Verzenio generic

Verzenio is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Verzenio side effects

Verzenio can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Verzenio. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Verzenio, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may concern or bother you.

When you take Verzenio by itself, the side effects might differ from when you take it with other breast cancer drugs. Examples of medications that doctors might prescribe with Verzenio include fulvestrant (Faslodex), tamoxifen (Soltamox), or an aromatase inhibitor, such as anastrozole (Arimidex).

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Verzenio and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Mild side effects

Here is a partial list of mild side effects of Verzenio. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or view Verzenio’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Verzenio can include:

mild diarrhea
fatigue
nausea and vomiting
decreased appetite
abdominal pain
headache
constipation
stomatitis (pain and swelling in your mouth)
fever
dehydration
cough
change in taste
dizziness
hair loss
mild infections (see “Side effect details”)

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. However, if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Verzenio aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening, or you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

severe diarrhea, which may include symptoms such as:
- watery, loose stools
- abdominal pain
- bloating
increased level of creatinine (a waste product that shows how well your kidneys are working), which may include symptoms such as:
- dehydration
- feeling tired
- shortness of breath
lung conditions such as interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pneumonitis, which can include symptoms such as:
- cough
- difficulty breathing
- fatigue
blood-related conditions*
severe infections*
liver damage*
allergic reactions*

* For more information, see the following “Side effect details” section.

Side effect details

You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug. Here’s some detail on some of the side effects this drug may cause.

Blood-related conditions

Verzenio may cause certain blood-related conditions. These include blood clots and low levels of certain blood cells.

Blood clots were uncommon in Verzenio’s clinical trials. They may affect a deep vein (typically in the legs or pelvis) or the brain, upper arm, lungs, or abdomen. Sometimes blood clots may be fatal.

Symptoms of a blood clot can vary depending on where it occurs, but a few examples include:

abdominal pain
chest pain
discoloration, pain, swelling, or warmth in the affected area
headache
shortness of breath

Low blood cell levels were a common side effect in clinical trials of Verzenio. This may include low levels of white blood cells, which doesn’t typically cause any symptoms. However, this side effect can increase your risk for infection. (For details about infection, see the “Infections” section.)

Verzenio treatment may also lead to anemia (low red blood cell levels) or thrombocytopenia (low platelet levels). Symptoms of anemia include skin paleness, shortness of breath, and tiredness. Thrombocytopenia may cause you to bruise or bleed more easily than usual.

If you have symptoms of a blood-related condition, tell your doctor right away. If your symptoms seem severe or life threatening, contact 911 or a local emergency number. Your doctor can tell you whether it’s safe to continue Verzenio treatment.

Your doctor may give you blood tests to check your blood cell levels during Verzenio treatment. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor.

Infections

Verzenio may increase the risk of mild and severe infections. Examples include the common cold, urinary tract infection (UTI), and sinus infection.

In clinical trials of Verzenio, infections were a common side effect. In extreme cases, this side effect may be fatal.

Symptoms can vary depending on the specific infection, but a few examples include:

fever or chills
sore throat
cough
painful urination
stuffy or runny nose

If you have symptoms of an infection during Verzenio treatment, tell your doctor right away. They can tell you whether it’s safe to keep taking the drug. Your doctor can also advise whether treatment is needed for an infection.

Liver damage

Verzenio may cause high levels of liver enzymes (proteins), which could be a sign of liver damage. This side effect was uncommon in clinical trials of Verzenio.

Symptoms of liver damage may include:

upper right abdominal pain
jaundice
nausea and vomiting

If you have symptoms of liver damage during Verzenio treatment, tell your doctor right away. They may give you blood tests to check your liver enzyme levels. Your doctor can recommend whether it’s safe to keep taking the drug.

ALLERGIC REACTION
For some people, Verzenio can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s clinical trials.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Verzenio, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Common questions about Verzenio

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Verzenio.

Is Verzenio a chemotherapy drug?

No, Verzenio isn’t a chemotherapy drug. Instead, Verzenio is a targeted cancer therapy.

This means the drug works by targeting specific proteins that help breast cancer cells grow. Targeted cancer therapy may have fewer side effects than chemotherapy because it specifically affects cancer cells. Chemotherapy, on the other hand, can affect both healthy cells and cancer cells throughout the body.

For more details about how the drug kills cancer cells, see the ”How Verzenio works” section. Your doctor or pharmacist can also tell you more about how Verzenio compares with chemotherapy.

What is the life expectancy of someone taking Verzenio?

Life expectancy with Verzenio can depend on many factors. (Life expectancy refers to the length of time that a person may be expected to live.)

Researchers did not measure life expectancy in clinical trials of Verzenio. Instead, they looked at the length of time a person’s breast cancer did not worsen. In general, people who took Verzenio experienced a longer period of time before their cancer worsened than those who did not take the drug.

However, your results with Verzenio treatment may differ from the results of clinical trials. If you have questions about life expectancy while you’re taking Verzenio, talk with your doctor.

»Read about quality of life on Verzenio.

Is it safe to consume coffee during Verzenio treatment?

In general, it’s safe to consume coffee during Verzenio treatment. There isn’t a known interaction with Verzenio and coffee.

However, coffee may cause or worsen episodes of diarrhea for some people. Diarrhea was a common side effect in clinical trials of Verzenio. If you consume coffee and have this side effect, your doctor may advise you to limit your coffee intake to help ease your symptoms.

To learn more about Verzenio and coffee, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Verzenio cost and coupons

As with all medications, the cost of Verzenio can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Financial and insurance assistance: If you need financial support to pay for Verzenio, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

A Verzenio savings card and a Lily Support Services program is available from Verzenio’s manufacturer. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 800-LillyRx (800-545-5979).

Generic version:Verzenio is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

»Learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Discover more about Verzenio

Verzenio Cost

Verzenio Interactions

Verzenio Dosage

Verzenio Side Effects

Verzenio uses

The FDA approves prescription drugs such as Verzenio to treat certain conditions.

Verzenio for breast cancer

Verzenio is approved to treat breast cancer in certain adults. The drug is used when the cancer is both HR-positive and HER2-negative. This means cancer has certain hormone receptors (attachment sites) and proteins that affect how it grows.

In addition, the cancer must be early stage, advanced, or metastatic. “Early stage” means the cancer has not spread beyond the breast or a nearby lymph node. ”Advanced” means the cancer has spread to other tissues near the breast. ”Metastatic” means the cancer has spread to areas of the body away from the breast.

Verzenio is used in the following situations to treat:

early stage breast cancer: For cancer with a high risk of returning after surgery, doctors prescribe Verzenio with hormone therapy. Examples include tamoxifen (Soltamox) or an aromatase inhibitor, such as anastrozole (Arimidex).
advanced or metastatic breast cancer:
- For cancer that has not been treated with hormone therapy, doctors prescribe Verzenio with an aromatase inhibitor.
- For cancer that has spread or worsened after treatment with hormone therapy, doctors prescribe Verzenio with fulvestrant (Faslodex).
- For cancer that has spread or worsened after treatment with hormone therapy and chemotherapy, doctors prescribe Verzenio by itself.

You can learn more about breast cancer by visiting our breast cancer hub.

Verzenio and children

Verzenio is not FDA approved for use in children. It is unknown for certain whether the drug is safe or effective for children.

Verzenio dosage

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

the condition you’re taking Verzenio to treat
other medical conditions you may have
other medications you may take with Verzenio
side effects you may have

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 to fit your needs.

Drug form and strengths

Verzenio comes as an oral tablet. It’s available in the following strengths: 50 milligrams (mg), 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg.

Dosage for breast cancer

Verzenio is prescribed to treat breast cancer in certain adults. For this purpose, you take Verzenio by itself or with certain other breast cancer drugs. Examples include fulvestrant (Faslodex), tamoxifen (Soltamox), or an aromatase inhibitor, such as anastrozole (Arimidex).

When prescribed alone: The usual dosage of Verzenio is 200 mg twice daily.

When prescribed with fulvestrant, tamoxifen, or an aromatase inhibitor: The usual dosage of Verzenio is 150 mg twice daily.

Your doctor may prescribe a different dosage depending on certain factors, including whether you have severe liver disease. If you have questions about the dosage that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

»Get more information on Verzenio's dosage.

About taking Verzenio

Here is some information about key dosage issues.

When to take: You should take Verzenio twice per day.
If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose of Verzenio or vomit a dose you’ve already taken, skip that dose. Then take your next dose at the regular time.
Taking Verzenio with food: You can take Verzenio with or without food.
Crushing, splitting, or chewing Verzenio: You should not crush, split, or chew Verzenio tablets. You’ll swallow the tablet whole. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, you can talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Length of use: Verzenio may be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Verzenio is safe and effective for you, you may take it long term.
Length of time to work: Verzenio starts working right after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel it working in your body. Your doctor will monitor your condition to check whether Verzenio is working.

Overdose

Do not use more Verzenio than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.

What to do in case you take too much Verzenio

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

»MORE:Get an online treatment plan or medication refill in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.

Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Verzenio interactions

Verzenio can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Before taking Verzenio, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Interactions with medications, foods, and supplements

The following table highlights some medications, supplements, and foods that can interact with Verzenio. This table does not contain all drugs that may interact with Verzenio. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Medications that can interact with Verzenio	• certain antifungals, such as ketoconazole and itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura)• certain antivirals, such as ritonavir (Norvir) and lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra)• certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin and erythromycin (Eryc, Ery-Tab, others)
Supplements that can interact with Verzenio	• St. John’s wort
Foods that can interact with Verzenio	• grapefruit products

Alcohol interaction

Alcohol is not known to interact with Verzenio. However, your doctor may advise you to limit alcohol consumption while taking Verzenio.

Consuming large amounts of alcohol over a long period of time can lead to liver damage. And liver damage is a possible side effect of Verzenio. So, drinking large amounts of alcohol while taking the drug could increase this risk.

If you have questions about how much alcohol is safe to drink while taking Verzenio, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Things to consider when taking Verzenio

If you can become pregnant, consider the following information about pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Verzenio and pregnancy

You should not take Verzenio during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with Verzenio. They’ll likely advise you to use birth control while taking the drug and for at least 3 weeks after your final dose.

Verzenio and breastfeeding

You should not take Verzenio while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with Verzenio. They’ll likely advise you not to breastfeed while taking the drug and for at least 3 weeks after your final dose.

Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Verzenio vs. Ibrance

Verzenio contains abemaciclib, and Ibrance contains palbociclib. Both drugs belong to a class of drugs called kinase inhibitors.

Verzenio and Ibrance are used to treat breast cancer that’s HR-positive and HER2-negative. Both drugs are approved to treat cancer that’s advanced (spread to other tissues near the breast) or metastatic (spread to areas of the body away from the breast).

Verzenio is also used to treat early stage breast cancer. Ibrance is not approved for this use. Both medications can be prescribed with fulvestrant (Faslodex) or an aromatase inhibitor, such as anastrozole (Arimidex). Doctors may also prescribe Verzenio by itself in certain situations.

Verzenio comes as an oral tablet that you take twice daily. Ibrance comes in two oral forms: tablet and capsule that you take once daily.

To learn more about how Verzenio compares with Ibrance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Verzenio vs. Kisqali

Verzenio and Kisqali belong to a class of drugs called kinase inhibitors. The active ingredient in Verzenio is abemaciclib and the active ingredient in Kisqali is ribociclib.

Both drugs are used to treat breast cancer that’s HR-positive and HER2-negative. They’re both approved to treat cancer that’s early stage, advanced (spread to other tissues near the breast) or metastatic (spread to areas of the body away from the breast).

Both drugs may be prescribed with fulvestrant (Faslodex) or an aromatase inhibitor, such as anastrozole (Arimidex). Doctors may also prescribe Verzenio by itself in certain situations.

Verzenio and Kisqali come as oral tablets. You take Verzenio twice daily and Kisqali once daily.

For other details about how Verzenio and Kisqali compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How Verzenio works

Verzenio is a targeted cancer therapy. It works by targeting specific proteins that help breast cancer cells grow, and by blocking the activity and effects of these proteins.

Specifically, Verzenio targets proteins called CDK4 and CDK6. These proteins can become overactive and possibly cause breast cancer cells to grow and divide rapidly. By targeting these proteins, Verzenio can help kill cancer cells and prevent their growth.

If you have other questions about how Verzenio works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Verzenio precautions

Before taking Verzenio, discuss your health history with your doctor. Verzenio may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

blood clots
current infections
lung conditions or breathing problems
severe kidney or liver damage
previous allergic reaction to this or a similar drug
pregnancy
breastfeeding

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Verzenio, see the “Verzenio side effects” section.

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.

Breast Cancer
Cancer / Oncology
Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Drugs

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Food and Drug Administration. (2025). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
Ibrance (palbociclib) capsules, for oral use. (2025).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/207103s020lbl.pdf
Ibrance tablets (palbociclib), for oral use. (2025).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/212436s008lbl.pdf
Kisqali (ribociclib) tablets, for oral use. (2025).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/209092s024lbl.pdf
Verzenio (abemaciclib) tablets, for oral use. (2025).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/208716s019lbl.pdf

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Medically reviewed by Alex Nguyen, PharmD, RPh, CPh, Rare Diseases, Neurology, Psychiatry — Written by Amber R. Watson, PharmD — Updated on September 25, 2025

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Key takeaways

Drug details

Verzenio generic

Verzenio side effects

Mild side effects

Serious side effects

Side effect details

Blood-related conditions

Infections

Liver damage

Common questions about Verzenio

Is Verzenio a chemotherapy drug?

What is the life expectancy of someone taking Verzenio?

Is it safe to consume coffee during Verzenio treatment?

Verzenio cost and coupons

Discover more about Verzenio

Verzenio uses

Verzenio for breast cancer

Verzenio and children

Verzenio dosage

Drug form and strengths

Dosage for breast cancer

About taking Verzenio

Overdose

What to do in case you take too much Verzenio

Verzenio interactions

Interactions with medications, foods, and supplements

Alcohol interaction

Things to consider when taking Verzenio

Verzenio and pregnancy

Verzenio and breastfeeding

Verzenio vs. Ibrance

Verzenio vs. Kisqali

How Verzenio works

Verzenio precautions

How we reviewed this article:

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