Imbruvica User Reviews & Ratings

• Jer...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 20, 2019

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "12/7/17, I was taking 3 (140mg) a day. The first 2 weeks it dropped me down (drained/no desire to eat). After that, my body did a 180-degree change - 18 days in I was up walking freely and could taste food. I was 51 at that time, my doctor told me that I may be on this for the rest of my life. Now here in March 2018, 1 pill a day (420mg). I'm truly grateful for my oncologist. I pray for us all."

• Ast...
• January 25, 2018

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I am a female going on 79 years old. I was first diagnosed with CLL in 2013, when my primary doctor noticed a rise in my WBC. I started seeing my present Oncologist in November of 2014. At one of my visits in 2015, he informed me that my WBC had reached 295,000. When I asked him if there was an alternative to chemo, that is when he put me on Imbruvica (3 pills a day) - that was in August of 2015. I am still taking the same dosage of Imbruvica and my WBC is at 10,000. My visits to my doctor are now six months apart. No side effects."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2017

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I began this medicine in October 2016 (age 62) and saw immediate results. Having lost a sister to leukemia just 9 months prior to my own treatment, I decided to begin with this fairly new FDA-approved regimen for line treatment. The results were amazing, lymph nodes began shrinking immediately, and with 6 weeks, none were palpable! Due to onset a-fib, my oncologist would like me to switch to a clinical trial that is using the next generation of the ibrutinib medication, which is showing fewer side effects, particularly with a-fib. The next generation of this drug is showing fewer side effects, particularly with a-fib, so I am considering."

• Fin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2016

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "Due to my having a variant GI system (with its own side effects), my oncologist, in an abundance of caution, started me on Imbruvica 1 capsule in the AM, daily. Literally within days, the significantly large lymphs in the front and rear of my neck disappeared. WOW! My WBCs skyrocketed, but that is typically expected due to the mechanisms by which Imbruvica works. Oversimplifying here -- the abnormal (cancerous) cells congregate in the lymphs. Imbruvica forces those abnormal cells out into the bloodstream, where they can be attacked and starved of the BTK protein, which they need to thrive and propagate. The 'dead' abnormal cells are then flushed out of the body. After 2 months, the dose was upped to 2 capsules daily, and still tolerating well."

• CLL...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 28, 2016

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I was prescribed Imbruvica for CLL after being in remission for several years. The past protocols had always worked but were very hard on my system. The side effects weren't as extreme as with other treatments. But Imbruvica did not work at all for me. Taking the drug has made my health and quality of life worse, and now having stage 4 CLL, my prognosis is grim. I lay in the hospital having numerous transfusions that are nothing more than a Band-Aid for my very soon imminent death."

• SoB...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 3, 2020

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "My husband was on Imbruvica for CLL. He was living a very full, active life. He had no risk factors for a cardiac event. He died suddenly of cardiac arrest. Was it Ibrutinib that caused sudden death? I will never know, but that is what I suspect."

• LCa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 2, 2019

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "CLL came back after almost 3 years of being cancer-free. Now I was put on Imbruvica. It fluctuates between 11,000 and 14,000 plus per month. It’s said to be a miracle drug. I take 3 capsules per day, every day for the rest of my life. All my numbers are better than the best, my oncologist says. However, no one mentions my weight loss. I’ve lost 40 lbs. I think the dosage needs to be adjusted as I believe it’s just too much for my size. Anyone else have the same experience?"

• Bin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 25, 2018

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "Wow... I'm seeing a theme here! My husband began Imbruvica for CLL in June 2017, and we were both telling everyone that it was a miracle drug. Then at 3:00 AM on 12/30/17, he went into sudden cardiac arrest without any warning. It is an absolute miracle that he survived at all, and he still has a long recovery ahead. I think this needs to get more coverage based on the number of people who have suddenly died - or almost died!!"

• Dre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2019

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I started Imbruvica in August 2019. I had to stop after only one dose due to an ER visit showing an infection. I was taking 420 mg. Started back on Imbruvica again, lasted 7 doses, then another infection, this time a UTI that made me septic. I stayed out of ICU. Went on antibiotics, cleared up the infection, and was started again on Imbruvica at 280 mg. I have been 28 days. I have nausea, some diarrhea, and pain in my lower right quadrant, and both sides of my lower back. I have medication to help with the nausea and diarrhea. This medicine is my best chance to get my CLL back into remission. I was on Bendamustine, Rituxan, and Neulasta. I was allergic to all three, had 7 hospitalizations, and almost died. I was in remission for 39 months before this spring CLL's ugly head appeared in my life again."

• Hea...
• October 21, 2019

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "It did reduce the size of my dad's lymph nodes, so from that perspective, it was working. My dad was previously treated with chemo. Almost immediately, my dad had side effects: very bad fatigue, which was impacting his life and depressing him. He developed a cough, which was monitored to ensure no pneumonia. Recently, they put him on an inhaler, saying he developed asthma. He also could feel his heart pounding. He saw a cardiologist for this and had tests, but nothing came up. He would get marks and bruising. He started to get what my mom called chemo brain. We had been questioning if he should come off from the side effects but weren't sure of the alternatives, especially now that he received this drug. The doctor said side effects lessen the longer you are on it, so he decided to stick it out. He last saw the cardiologist two weeks ago. Last Sunday, he dropped dead and couldn't be resuscitated. The cardiologist was perplexed."

• Bes...
• November 16, 2017

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "He was doing so well on this treatment. But then he had a sudden cardiac arrest. It took 16 hours to get his heart to stabilize. He was shocked more than 20 times. He remains in the hospital three weeks later. His heart, brain, and lungs are damaged. He cannot walk. He is a father of 2 teens and had just celebrated his 47th birthday."

• Gra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 24, 2018

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "My husband has been on Imbruvica since October 2015 and is now down to one pill a day. It is a miracle drug, but I just found out today that they are changing from capsules to tablets and tripling the price. Shame on you, greedy Johnson and Johnson."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2016

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "My 87-year-old mother took 3 pills in the morning. It lowered her white blood count from 125,000 to 14. 10 is normal. That's the only good thing I can say about this medication. She had such severe diarrhea and vomiting that she could not keep any kind of nutrition or food in her system. The drug almost killed her. Her doctor took her off the medication for two weeks, then had her start taking it again at a lower dose. Once again, as soon as she started taking the medication again, the side effects came back, and the doctor decided not to continue with the medication. Since her last appointment with her oncologist, her white blood cell count is now 50. Next doctor appointment, they're going to try an older, less effective drug."

• ric...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 1, 2021

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I have been taking Imbruvica for 3 years, 420 mg. I have no side effects and my counts are in the normal ranges and very stable. It is a miracle drug as far as I am concerned. I previously had full chemo and it lasted 2 years then I relapsed."

• Bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2021

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "My mother had CLL, she was given Imbruvica, 3 weeks later she died. She got sepsis and organ failure. The Dr in the ICU told me it was from this drug! This Imbruvica should be recalled, very dangerous. The side effects is 5 foot long!"

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 12, 2020

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I was diagnosed with CLL and was immediately taking 420 Imbruvica for 18 months until a physicians assistant advised me I could be on a watch and wait status since my white cells were still low. I hated the side effects and quickly stopped using the drug. The side effects continue as damage occurred to my body. I will not be treated by this drug ever again and feel my Dr was wrong to prescribe it for me. It is a horrible drug."

• Nad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2018

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "My dad has CLL. Started taking Imbruvica, and a month later developed lesions on his brain, spleen, lungs, and adrenal glands. Lesions were initially thought to be cancerous. A biopsy proved that the lesions were actually a fungus called aspergillosis. This particular type that my dad has is invasive and very often fatal in patients with a compromised immune system. I should’ve done a better job at researching all of the side effects. My main concern was cardiac issues, and I don’t recall seeing information about this drug causing fungi before my dad started it. The CLL was managed by chemo infusion pretty well in my opinion; now I feel like this new drug has caused WAY more issues for him and FAST!"

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 24, 2017

For Mantle Cell Lymphoma "For the first few months, I experienced some diarrhea. Then this condition subsided. For about a year, I experienced tingling in my hands and feet. Now, after about 15 months, this feeling is almost gone. Lymphoma had been found in my small intestine. After 15 months of Imbruvica use, I have gained weight to a healthy level."

• Fhe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 26, 2019

For Waldenström Macroglobulinemia "Initially, Imbruvica caused rather severe fatigue in first two months after which it gradually improved. Most noticeable side effect is frequent diarrhea. I take 1 Imodium cap almost every day and 2 after very loose stool. Also considerably raised blood pressure. Added 2 meds for this. I’m about 18 months after diagnosis and basic blood work shows white, red, and platelet count normal, but Igm protein level still elevated, but steadily decreasing. Usually feeling good, but still have unpredictable, but short episodes of fatigue requiring several hours of rest. Manufacturer provides a $30 supplement, a pittance considering monthly cost of $11,000."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2018

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "My father (68) is suffering from CLL since 2006. He has gone through several chemo sessions till now, which has only deteriorated his health. Due to heavy pretreatment for his disease, his health has only worsened. He gets admitted to the hospital every 3 to 4 months for other ailments that happen due to the chemo sessions. His last chemo session happened in September 2018, which affected his brain heavily. Now, the doctor has again advised us to put him on Imbruvica (Ibrutinib). He has taken Ibrutinib before for 6 to 8 months in the year 2016-2017, and all went well with him, except a few common side effects. We discontinued the medicine due to financial issues, and again he was on chemo sessions. Now it's just the third day of the dosage, and he is suffering from headaches, vomiting, body chills, and upset stomach. Our financial conditions don't allow us to have this medicine now, but this is the last hope for my father now."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 12, 2021

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "CLL had my WBC at 120,000 and liver, spleen, nodes were beginning to swell. At 10 days on 420mg my count was 70,000, at 28 days 40,000. WBC continued down over next 10 months to 8,000. I had expected side effects over those 10 months diarrhea, mouth sores, joint pain, etc. At the exact time my WBC reached normal levels, the drug became toxic with devastating urinary issues as well as every side effect listed. Stopped the full dose for 3 weeks, WBC rose to 20,000. Started 280mg with minimal and tolerable side effects. WBC now at 13,000 and falling. If toxicity returns we will try 140mg."

• lar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 19, 2023

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I was diagnosed with 4th stage Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in 2011. I was prescribed Imbruvica and I have been taking it for five years now. Imbruvica saved my life, my oncologist had given me one year to live in about 2016."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2021

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I was diagnosed with CLL in August of 2016. My WBC at that time was 26,500 and remained stable until early 2019 but then started to climb steadily. By March of 2021 my WBC was 203,000. Also a CT scan showed that the number and size of enlarged lymph nodes had increased dramatically. So my oncologist decided it was time to start treatments. He was able to get me into a research study using a combination of three drugs, Ibrutinib, Obinutuzumab and Venetoclax. After the first dose of Ibrutinib my WBC dropped to 83,000 within a couple of days . A week later it was down to 19,400 and after another 2 weeks it was at 9,500. I also had another CT scan done after 2 months on Ibrutinib and the enlarged lymph nodes had almost disappeared completely. I've had zero side effects. This has been a miracle drug for me."

• Cka...
• February 4, 2020

For Mantle Cell Lymphoma "My 78 year old mom was prescribed Imbruvica 420 mg 1x per day in Jan 2020. She’s in the hospital with a-fib, dizziness, blurred vision, skin lesions, pneumonia, upper resp infection, etc. After reading the insert that comes with it, I checked off the side effects 1 by 1 & couldn’t believe it. I pointed out the effects from the info insert AND the testimony via this page and said to immediately take her off. She’s went into uncontrollable a-fib two nights ago and is literally fighting for her life. They will drain fluid from her again. I don’t think that we should have to be the professional and solve the problems. I’m so disappointed with her oncologist and have no answers as to how and if this will get turned around. It’s so heartbreaking that the patient is led to believe this is the fix all drug. We were told it’s 69% effective. So glad it works for some people but so disgusted that it’s taking people’s’ lives and leaving my mother in this condition."

• Ugo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2022

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "Started taking drug 6 months ago after leukemia came back. After doing research , decided to take 3 pills per day for first month , then 2 pile per day second month and one pill therafter. It was working well for months until following happened A few weeks ago, I hemorrhaged for more than 4 hours after taking just 1 pill. Next day identical thing happened. Had I been on 3 pills a day or taken another pill the following day , I would have bled to death."