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What is Imbruvica
IbrutinibThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryIbrutinib is a drug used to treat certain types of blood cancer, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, mantle cell lymphoma, and Waldenström's Macroglobulinemia. It works by blocking Burton's tyrosine kinase, an enzyme that helps cancer cells grow. It was approved in 2013 by the FDA and 2014 by the EMA, and more recently in 2017 for use in chronic graft versus host disease.
Imbruvicais the brand name
Imbruvica Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Imbruvica
Ibrutinib
2013
7
Effectiveness
How Imbruvica Affects PatientsLab studies have found that this drug leads to cell death in CLL and inhibits CLL cell survival, migration, and the production of certain chemicals. In clinical trials for CLL, 71% of patients had an overall response rate. For mantle cell lymphoma, 70% of patients had a partial or complete response. For diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 15-20% of patients had a partial response. For Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, over 75% of patients had a partial response. For follicular lymphoma, 54% of patients had a partial to complete response.
How Imbruvica works in the bodyIbrutinib stops Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) from working correctly. It does this by forming a chemical bond with a part of BTK called Cys481. When BTK is blocked, it stops certain signals from reaching downstream molecules like PLC-γ, which helps to prevent the B-cell receptor from working properly.
When to interrupt dosage
The prescribed measure of Imbruvica is subject to the established affliction, including Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Mantle Cell Lymphoma. The quantum of dosage is contingent upon the procedure of deployment as listed in the table underneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
rituximab
, 140.0 mg, 70.0 mg, 280.0 mg, 420.0 mg, 560.0 mg, 70.0 mg/mL
Oral, , Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
, 140.0 mg, 70.0 mg, 280.0 mg, 420.0 mg, 560.0 mg, 70.0 mg/mL
Oral, , Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Mantle Cell Lymphoma
, 140.0 mg, 70.0 mg, 280.0 mg, 420.0 mg, 560.0 mg, 70.0 mg/mL
Oral, , Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Lymphoma
, 140.0 mg, 70.0 mg, 280.0 mg, 420.0 mg, 560.0 mg, 70.0 mg/mL
Oral, , Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
previously treated
, 140.0 mg, 70.0 mg, 280.0 mg, 420.0 mg, 560.0 mg, 70.0 mg/mL
Oral, , Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia
, 140.0 mg, 70.0 mg, 280.0 mg, 420.0 mg, 560.0 mg, 70.0 mg/mL
Oral, , Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
failure of at least one prior systemic therapy
, 140.0 mg, 70.0 mg, 280.0 mg, 420.0 mg, 560.0 mg, 70.0 mg/mL
Oral, , Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Disease
, 140.0 mg, 70.0 mg, 280.0 mg, 420.0 mg, 560.0 mg, 70.0 mg/mL
Oral, , Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Suspension - Oral, Suspension
Warnings
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Imbruvica.Common Imbruvica Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Ibrutinib is combined with 9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A.
Acteoside
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Ibrutinib is combined with Acteoside.
Amitriptyline
Major
The metabolism of Amitriptyline can be decreased when combined with Ibrutinib.
Amoxapine
Major
The metabolism of Amoxapine can be decreased when combined with Ibrutinib.
Antilymphocyte immunoglobulin (horse)
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Ibrutinib is combined with Antilymphocyte immunoglobulin (horse).
Imbruvica Toxicity & Overdose RiskNo tests have been done to determine if ibrutinib has mutagenic or clastogenic properties, or if it can affect fertility or cause cancer.
Imbruvica Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Imbruvica?
267 active trials are currently assessing the potential of Imbruvica to ameliorate Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Mantle Cell Lymphoma.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Disease
19 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable
Mantle Cell Lymphoma
97 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 1, Early Phase 1
Lymphoma
51 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1, Phase 3
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
4 Actively Recruiting
Phase 1
rituximab
0 Actively Recruiting
previously treated
0 Actively Recruiting
failure of at least one prior systemic therapy
0 Actively Recruiting
Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia
8 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1
Imbruvica Reviews: What are patients saying about Imbruvica?
5Patient Review
3/13/2017 After being diagnosed with CLL in 2010, I finally started using Imbruvica in 2014. My bloodwork is now normal after previously having a WBC of 200K+. Lymph nodes are also back to normal. The only side effects I've experienced are easy bruising, chest congestion, and swollen feet; all of which are manageable.
5Patient Review
3/25/2017 I'm on my third month of treatment and so far it's going great. My insurance covers the costs, and I've seen a significant increase in my hemoglobin and platelet levels. My white blood count is also holding steady in the 5.0 range. I haven't experienced any side effects, which is amazing considering I was diagnosed with CLL 10 years ago. I've been treated with Rituxan, Bendamustine and gamma globulin over the past nine years, but when my condition worsened, I switched to Imbruvica. So far it's working wonders and I'm keeping everything crossed
5Patient Review
11/5/2017 Ibritinib has been a life-saving medication for me. It's expensive, but it's worth every penny.
5Patient Review
8/8/2017 I've been on this medication for six months and I have seen a significant improvement in my white blood cell count. My lymph nodes are also back to normal size.
5Patient Review
8/15/2017 This medication has been absolutely life-changing. In just six months, my white blood count dropped from 188 to 15. I have some minor side effects, but nothing that's unmanageable.
5Patient Review
11/11/2017 Not only did this treatment help normalize my blood readings, but it also prevented any adverse reactions to bug bites!
5Patient Review
4/8/2017 The side effects I experienced were very minimal.
5Patient Review
4/12/2020 I didn't experience any negative side effects from this treatment. My numbers dropped significantly, which was amazing.
5Patient Review
2/29/2020 I've been on this drug for nearly two years and it has decreased my IGM from 5,800 to 1,100. My IGA and IGG are almost normal now too. Plus, all other blood tests are within the healthy range. The only side effects I sometimes experience are diarrhea and slight bone pain, but those have been manageable. Overall, I think this drug is much better than chemotherapy as a treatment option.
5Patient Review
1/11/2020 I'm on my fourth year of taking imbruvica and I've seen some amazing results. It's truly a wonder drug. Of course, there are some side effects that come along with it; however, they are manageable. The most serious for me is the constant mucus buildup and congestion in my lungs. My oncologist has also had me on I.V.I.G., which makes a big difference.
4.3Patient Review
4/16/2018 The only problem I've had while taking Ambruvica is that my blood pressure has been steadily increasing. I used to have great blood pressure (120/70) but now it's 147/90. I'm about to go on blood pressure medication.
4.3Patient Review
3/6/2019 This medication has been successful in lowering my IGM numbers, though I do experience fatigue and loss of appetite as side effects. On the plus side, I have lost more than 40lbs since starting the medication.
4Patient Review
4/20/2017 I've been on this medication for five months and, while it did help normalize my white blood cell count fairly quickly, I have experienced a lot of side effects. Right now I'm trying to decide whether or not to stop taking the drug. I've had to go to the hospital twice and once to the emergency room due to chills and high fevers. Now I'm dealing with severe neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and hemolytic anemia–all of which are apparently related to imbruvica.
4Patient Review
1/18/2019 It took a few years, but this treatment eventually got my blood tests back to normal. I did experience some side effects like bone pain, easy bruising, dizziness, and indigestion while taking it though. I've been off the drug for about a year now and doing just fine.
2Patient Review
6/3/2017 My husband had to stop taking this medication after a month due to severe side effects, including swollen mouth and tongue, as well as two bloody urines.
Patient Q&A Section about imbruvica
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What is Imbruvica prescribed for?
"This medication is used to treat cancers such as mantle cell or marginal zone lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma, and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. Ibrutinib belongs to a class of drugs known as kinase inhibitors, which work by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells."
Answered by AI
How long can you live Imbruvica?
"Patients who stopped taking ibrutinib (Imbruvica) due to intolerance or toxicity had a median survival of 33 months, while those who stopped due to progressive disease or other reasons had a median survival of 16 and 11 months respectively. Patients who developed RT had a median survival of just 2.3 months."
Answered by AI
What are the long term effects of taking Imbruvica?
"It's possible to develop cancers as a side effect of Imbruvica, such as skin cancer, which may require long-term treatment. You may also have heart problems, such as abnormal heart rhythm, after taking Imbruvica."
Answered by AI