Imbruvica User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• 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 respiratory infection, etc. After reading the insert that comes with it, I checked off the side effects 1 by 1 and 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 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 professionals 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."

• Muk...
• October 2, 2020

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I've been on Imbruvica for only 6 weeks. Because of bad side effects, my doctor stopped the medication. Since I started taking the medication in October 2019 and now is October 2020, I still have the diarrhea. I tried all medications and some teas to stop it. Really don't know what to do."

• irk...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 19, 2024

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "If my mother had had this drug, she wouldn’t have died of CLL 25 years ago. Wonderful drug. Very few side effects. Hard to know what symptom to pin on what (including age). I’ve maintained excellent blood counts, life activity, general well-being for 4 years now. Side effects: blood pressure, red spots under the skin of arms, slight decrease in energy, greater tendency toward bruising/bleeding, recent slight urinary incontinence. 420mg pill/day makes it easy to administer."

• Log...
• October 12, 2020

For Waldenström Macroglobulinemia "My husband has non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, he had been treated with chemotherapy in the past. He was leading a very normal and active life, then, last year in June 2019, he needed to be started on ibrutinib. After the fifth month of treatment, on the 30th of November 2019, he suffered a cardiac arrest at home. It was the most terrifying thing I have ever witnessed, I had to perform CPR until the ambulance arrived! He was in the hospital for six months, he is home now, and I am his carer, as he suffered a hypoxic brain injury as a definite result of ibrutinib! The consultants in ICU said it was a direct result of being on ibrutinib, it is also written on my husband's discharge letter from the hospital. I totally blame ibrutinib, and now our lives will never be the same."

• Mfi...
• January 9, 2018

For Graft Versus Host Disease "About me: AML, stem cell transplant survivor with GVHD. How Imbruvica helped: I started Imbruvica in 4/17. Prior to taking it, I was completely debilitated. After 4 full months on the drug, I noted marked improvement. Now I am able to walk, light lifting, and carry out regular activity with much less fatigue and pain. My skin GVHD is not showing any symptoms. It's been a godsend! Side effects: I noticed cramping at about 5 months and back and joint pain at 8 months. The cramping became severe, however, it is managed well with tonic water. The pain is extreme at times - but so far outweighs the GVHD symptoms."

• Sad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 24, 2021

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "My husband did very well on Imbruvica, taking one pill three times a day. When he was switched to the same dosage once a day, within months he had a VF heart attack, went on life support, never recovered, never had cardiac issues, or was told to get a cardiologist. High BP and smoked. I suspect the med but don't know for sure. My advice is to get a cardiologist if you take this medication."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2021

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "After 76 days on Imbruvica (420 mg), my prostate gland was swollen to the point where urination was almost impossible and my colon was blocked. Also, there was swelling felt in my lungs and heart. At times after taking the tablet, I could feel my heart beating against my sternum. The day after I stopped taking the drug, the swelling subsided. I no apparent problems existed on the first two lots of the drug (56 days), I attribute the probable cause to a contaminated lot. After three weeks, my bodily functions seemed to be back to normal. On the follow-up PET scan, no improvement was seen on lymph nodes."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 25, 2023

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "It helped my condition immediately. Previously I've had FR and BR treatments. I take it after dinner around 6:30 pm with a full glass of water. My only negative side effects are brittle nails with ridges. I've taken it for 7 years and 9 months. I'm a 71-year-old female with CLL/SLL."

• Bro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 9, 2023

For Waldenström Macroglobulinemia "My father was diagnosed with stage 1 Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia in March 2021. He underwent chemotherapy, and in January 2022, he was doing so well that they switched him to Imbruvica. By May 16, 2022, he was rushed via ambulance to the hospital and admitted to ICU on June 5, 2022. Sadly, he passed away. I believe with all my heart this medication killed him within 4-5 months of taking it. They NEED to take this medication off the market. People are losing their loved ones quicker because of this medicine."

• Wif...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2022

For Mantle Cell Lymphoma "Imbruvica was added to my husband’s treatment for MCL after 6 months of treatment for gastric cancer. He tolerated the Herceptin well, but after initial infusions of Imbruvica, he was hospitalized for respiratory distress with what was thought to be pneumonia. This drug wreaked havoc on his lungs. He left the hospital after nearly a month and was on oxygen for the rest of his life and a diagnosis of pneumonitis caused by this drug. No more Imbruvica at that time, was treated several months with IVIG to help his O2 stabilize, and it did. Then his oncologist started him back on this same drug! Three weeks later, my husband was dead from respiratory failure. I read that anyone with respiratory issues should not be treated with Imbruvica."

• Mik...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 2, 2021

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I've been on it a little over two years after relapsing from FCR in 2014, was in remission till May of 2019. I haven't had much in the way of side effects, mouth sores that can be controlled with mouthwash. My counts are all in the normal range, and waiting on the results of an MRI I had for another issue to see what my lymph nodes are looking like."

• GGL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2018

For Graft Versus Host Disease "Started Ibrutinib (Imbruvica) on 10/22/2018 (7 wks ago) for cGVHD (Chronic graft-versus-host disease) arising from stem cell transplantation (SCT) (matching female sibling) in 2014 to treat Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). cGVHD (skin, eyes, mouth & subcutaneous tissue) resistant to frontline treatment (Mycophenolate & prednisone - ave dose 20mg). Experienced quite severe diarrhea after 2 days. Resolved after 5 weeks after taking loperamide, which is no longer required. Also experienced increased fatigue and maybe slightly more cramping (was already getting some cramps which is common for cGVHD). Immunoglobulin levels have dropped will require an infusion. Some early signs that skin symptoms, i.e., scleroderma, might be reducing. However, too early to tell effectiveness, suspect it will be another 30-60 days before starting to see if it will have an impact."

• SST...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 12, 2025

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "Been using Imbruvica 5 years has brought white count down from 206.3 K/µl in 2021 to 8.0 K/µl in 2024 at 420 mg daily. Feel good overall. I did about 3 months of first taking the Rx, start getting mouth and skin sores, Purpura I was told, more of a blood blister to me. Was given 800 mg of an antiviral called Acyclovir, which helps. Still get a few, nothing as before. My CBC tests are within limits, with only one item slightly over max at 15.1% vs [11.>15%]. Feel pretty good, little tired, have other old age >70+ issues, sometimes hard to say what's the cause of my discomfort."

• RWB...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 25, 2024

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "My 4th year on Imbruvica 280 mg, early on I had weakness, shortness of breath, musculoskeletal pain, diarrhea, but after the first year, these effects subsided. Now on my 4th year, I'm having some peripheral neuropathy and severe bruising and a slight increase of WBC. But all said, the drug is keeping my CLL in check."

• pat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 29, 2023

For Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma "I developed afib, high blood pressure, dizziness, tiredness, and slightly blurred eyesight. I can only take 1/4 dose as I had an allergic reaction to the full dose. It appears to have slowed the progression of the lymphoma. I depend on the Pan Foundation or Johnson and Johnson to help with the price of the medication, as I also have infusions every 8 weeks at $963."

• rcp...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 15, 2024

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I took it when I was first diagnosed with CLL in 2014. It was the third medication I tried, and it worked very well for me 10 years ago. I was in remission from 2018 till 2023 when my CLL became active again. I tried various new meds that did not work well. Therefore, I asked my doctor to try Imbruvica again. I took it for 4 months, and it stabilized me. Then, I started having neuropathy all over my body, especially my feet and legs. It hurt to walk on my feet, and my legs felt very painful and heavy. My doctor took me off it again in May 2024. Then I began night sweats and felt very tired all the time. He put me back on it, and I broke out in boils. So I stopped taking it as of July 2024. I guess it no longer will work well for me. But in the beginning, it saved my life!"

• Ray...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2024

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "Thus far I have done well on Imbruvica. My swollen lymph nodes have been reduced by almost 100%. I am on week 5 and am in the early stages of taking the medication. I have had one mouth sore which cleared up and has not returned. I am fighting a bad chest cough. I see my doctor tomorrow."

• Joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 22, 2023

"For the most part, I’ve had an excellent response to Imbruvica, with very little side effects. Two months ago, the 560 mg hard tablet was discontinued. So, they changed it to four capsules adding up to 560. Since I started taking it, I began having muscle pain and dry eyes in the morning. I’m wondering if it’s getting into my bloodstream quicker as a capsule, and that is why I’m having the side effects."

• Del...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 23, 2023

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "On Imbruvica for almost 7 years. I had to do 2 cycles of RCHOP first, as Imbruvica was a second-line treatment. It was very effective at reducing my tumor load and keeping it away with 420 mg a day. I had side effects that were managed for most of the time. The neuropathy, diarrhea, heart palpitations, and lung damage were the most persistent. Fifteen months of bleeding from the lungs was the reason for stopping Imbruvica."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 16, 2023

"I’m currently going on 19 months with Imbruvica. I take 240 mg once a day. Side effects include all listed. Chemo infusions didn’t work. I was diagnosed with stage four cancer. Liver, spleen, lymph nodes, blood riddled with cancer. First year of Imbruvica reduced signs of cancer all the way to no signs of cancer for 3 months. Then cancer showed itself again in spleen and just a few lymph nodes. Very tired, but with the help of coffee, I can risk going out and doing yard work, shopping, and day trips with family. It was prescribed as a cancer maintenance drug and has improved my way of life versus the year of chemotherapy infusions. I take risks with my family by going outside and enjoying life. Risks such as COVID. But Imbruvica has given some of my life back. I have severe diarrhea daily, brain fog, short-term memory loss, dizziness, high glucose levels, and high blood pressure."

• JjR...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 24, 2023

For Waldenström Macroglobulinemia "I'm very pleased with the drug, but it would be prohibitive if I were on Medicare Part D. I'm not positive if my side effects of pain, fatigue, and diarrhea are caused by this or other health issues..."

• Jin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 13, 2023

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I was diagnosed with CLL in 2013. Treated with Rituxan and Bendamustine. Went into remission but CLL returned in 2022. The oncologist prescribed Imbruvica 420 mg daily. My WBC level is now in the normal range. I suffer a great deal from rash and fatigue since my hemoglobin level and red blood cell count are below the normal range."

• May...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 1, 2025

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "I was diagnosed with CLL in May 2007, after not feeling well for nearly a year. I went on the sit & wait program. In March 2016, I started my 2nd round of Bendamustine & Rituximab, but was only able to get through 5 rounds. It was clear I wouldn't make it through a 3rd round. February 13, 2022, another trip to the ER, this time for upper chest pain. Coming out of CT, I officially had a heart attack. Doctors inserted 1 stent for a 99% blockage. I thought the pain was from all the swelling in my lymph nodes. My lymph nodes were always the first indicator. This time, the lymph nodes were much larger, egg to large orange. I was trying to hang on till my appointment at the end of February. Two weeks later, at my regular oncology appointment, my oncologist put me on the Imbruvica 420 mg. The Imbruvica was working great! Mid-July 2024, I got through the first of 7 excruciatingly painful granulomas in my mouth. In February 2025, 3 days shy of 2 years, I was told the Imbruvica was the cause. Stopped."

• rsp...
• April 17, 2016

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "My husband took 3 Imbruvica before bedtime and died from sudden cardiac arrest the next morning."

• Gen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 25, 2017

For Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia "Shrunk lymph glands in the back of the neck. First week of taking 3 capsules a day. Second week, swollen glands in armpit are gone. Minor side effects."