Verzenio (abemaciclib)
Targeted therapy pill (CDK4/6 inhibitor) · Used for: Breast cancer
💊 Taken by mouth · Targeted therapy pill (CDK4/6 inhibitor)
Cliff notes
What it is: Targeted therapy pill (CDK4/6 inhibitor).
How it's given: A tablet by mouth twice a day, every day, usually with hormone therapy.
How it works: Like Ibrance, Verzenio blocks CDK4 and CDK6, proteins that help cancer cells divide. It's used for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer.
Common side effects and what helps at home
| Side effect | What can help |
|---|---|
| Diarrhea | Very common, often in the first weeks. Have anti-diarrhea medicine at home as your team advises and drink fluids. |
| Low white blood cells | Wash hands often. |
| Nausea and belly pain | Small, bland meals. |
| Tiredness, vomiting | Pace yourself; ask about anti-nausea medicine. |
| Decreased appetite | Eat small snacks often. |
| Infections | Listed among the most common. Report fever. |
Not everyone gets these. Your team may suggest other ways to manage them.
Call your care team now if you have:
- Diarrhea that doesn't get better within 24 hours of starting anti-diarrhea medicine
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- Pain or swelling in an arm or leg, or sudden shortness of breath (possible blood clot)
- New cough or breathing trouble
- Yellow skin or eyes
Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain or signs of stroke.
🗓 What to expect
1️⃣ Before you start
- Ask your team for a written schedule and an after-hours phone number.
- Blood counts and liver tests; keep anti-diarrhea medicine at home as your team advises.
- Bring a list of all your medicines and supplements.
2️⃣ Each day on treatment
- Take it exactly as prescribed, at about the same time each day.
- Don't crush or split pills unless your team says it's OK.
- If you miss a dose, follow the label instructions or call your pharmacist.
3️⃣ Between doses
- Watch for the side effects below and use the checklist.
- Keep up with blood tests and visits.
- Call your team for anything in the red box.
✅ Side-effect checklist
Print this and check off what you notice so you can tell your team.
| Side effect | Noticed? | Notes for my team |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea | ☐ | |
| Low white blood cells | ☐ | |
| Nausea and belly pain | ☐ | |
| Tiredness, vomiting | ☐ | |
| Decreased appetite | ☐ | |
| Infections | ☐ |
Help paying for Verzenio
Official manufacturer program:
- Lilly Oncology Support Center: Copay savings for commercially insured patients and benefits help. (Link not yet confirmed in a browser.)
Copay cards are usually only for people with commercial (job or marketplace) insurance. If you have Medicare or Medicaid, look at free-drug programs and these independent foundations:
- PAN Foundation: Copays and coinsurance, including for people with Medicare, when a disease fund is open.
- HealthWell Foundation: Grants for copays, deductibles and premiums when a fund is open.
- CancerCare Co-Payment Assistance Foundation: Help with treatment copays for insured people under income limits.
- Good Days: Copay help and some travel costs.
- NeedyMeds: Free database of assistance programs, open to anyone.
📋 Medicare: Pills you take at home are usually covered by Medicare drug coverage (Part D). Part B covers some cancer drugs taken by mouth if the same drug comes in an injectable form. See Medicare and your cancer drugs.
More: Our guide to paying for cancer treatment.
💬 What experts are saying
Breast cancer specialists on OncLive say low white blood cells is the main thing they watch for with drugs like Ibrance. With Verzenio, diarrhea is the main concern: they advise keeping an anti-diarrhea medicine at home, starting it at the first loose stool, and eating blander, lower-fiber meals. They also note it often settles down after the first several weeks.
Source: HR+/HER2- MBC: CDK4/6 Inhibitor Treatment Toxicities (OncLive, November 1, 2021)
❓ Questions to ask your doctor
- What is the goal of this treatment for me?
- How will we know if it's working?
- Which side effects should I call about right away, and what number do I call after hours?
- Which medicines, vitamins or supplements should I avoid?
- Will this affect my ability to work, drive or care for my family?
- What will this cost me, and who can help me with coverage?
Support groups
- Susan G. Komen: Breast care helpline, treatment assistance and education
- Living Beyond Breast Cancer: Helpline, peer support and programs for metastatic breast cancer
- CancerCare: Free counseling, support groups and financial help
- Cancer Support Community: Support groups, a helpline and the MyLifeLine online community
Common questions
How long does Verzenio diarrhea last?
For many people it is worst in the first month and gets easier. Follow your team's plan, and call if it doesn't improve within a day of taking anti-diarrhea medicine.
Ibrance vs Verzenio: what's the difference?
Both are CDK4/6 inhibitors. Verzenio is taken every day twice a day and more often causes diarrhea; Ibrance has a week off each cycle and more often lowers white blood cells.
📄 The official FDA label for Verzenio, including its patient information section, is on DailyMed.
Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write