Ibrance and Hair Loss: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 1, 2017

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "Diagnosed with MBC in February 2014! In breast and sacrum. Started Femara only, no progression till October 2015! Spread to two ribs and spine. Started Ibrance with Femara and scans got better and better until 2 months ago, scan showed no hot spots!! As far as I'm concerned, in remission!!! Side effects: hair loss, no taste, tired all the time, severe hot flashes, shortness of breath, joint pain, but I can live with it all!! Thank you Pfizer and everyone involved in the studies who lived and died so I may live longer!"

• Dee...
• April 12, 2017

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in February 2015. Ten lymph nodes tested positive and it had metastasized to my bones. I started taking Ibrance and Letrozole in April 2015. I have no notable side effects other than after being on it for 14 months, it started destroying my hair and my blood counts are always low. My scans have all been good. Up until last week, I still worked full-time, but now that I am 65, I think it is time to go part-time. I guess the fact that it isn't curable and the unknown is my worst fear. Good luck to all."

• 15...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 28, 2017

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I was diagnosed in Oct 2002 with estrogen/progesterone positive breast cancer of the left breast with 2 nodes positive. I received chemo (Cytoxan, Adriamycin, Taxotere), no radiation. Was clear for 13 years until Oct 2015, diagnosed with mets to bone. Had right hip replacement for fracture and radiation. Other lesions noted in the spine, left hip, and mammary node. Started Ibrance and Letrozole with very little side effects. Some hair thinning, occasional mouth sore, fatigue at times. Side effects very minimal. Also received Xgeva injection monthly. Results excellent: markers good, lesions inactive for 17 months. Recently had a PET scan and found an active lesion on the left hip. Next plan is to do some radiation, Faslodex injections monthly, and continue Xgeva."

• Que...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2016

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "I am stage 4. Took Metronome, had great results. Then Ibrance, just the 1st month I was on it, 3 tumors popped up. Got off it for 3 months, then went back. Well, it made the tumor bigger. Side effects: backaches while walking, sore throat, hair loss, weakness in arms, feeling tired all the time. My cancer PSA was 14. In one month on Ibrance, it went to 35. I see oncologist on the 9th. I'm sure my PSA will be higher, so I'm taking myself off of it."

• Apr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 4, 2023

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "So far, so good! Over a year of pretty good quality of life. Some hair thinning, occasional nausea, lack of appetite. Blood tests have come out better than expected so far! This is after 22 years of survival from stage 4 breast cancer."

• Anonymous
• September 11, 2019

For Breast Cancer "My sister had breast cancer and was doing okay with chemo, but because of the hair loss, she decided to start taking Ibrance, and after about a month, her liver stopped working, and 2 weeks later, she passed."

• Dot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2020

For Breast Cancer, Metastatic "My mother got two injections and one capsule on the neglected line of informed consent. She felt nauseous, lightheaded, lost hair, and above all, her leg function was hampered. After a 'clean' MRI scan without metastasis, ok red blood cell levels, and white blood cell levels, she got scanned after one month with severe pressure in her spine and dysfunctional legs and had bone cancer, severely declined red and white blood cells, and ruptures in her liver. Not saying it was this 'medicine' because I don't know. She lived 6 months... I can be angry, but that doesn't bring her back."

• Mer...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 29, 2023

"I have been on it for over five years - after my last recurrence. I am in remission at this time. For the first 3 years, I was on the 125 mg dose, but my body had a hard time recovering during the week off. So, my doctor switched me to the 100 mg dose. Main side effects: low WBC, low RBC, hemoglobin, platelets, and neutrophils fluctuate. Neuropathy in my feet is mild, neuropathy on my scalp, some hair thinning, some fatigue - however, I live a very full life and swim 3 to 5 times a week and walk too. I have remained in remission for over 5 years! It is three weeks on and one week off - not hard to do."