Skip to the answer

Abemaciclib

Abemaciclib (Verzenio) is a targeted cancer medicine used to treat hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer — both early-stage and advanced or metastatic.

Brand name Verzenio
Drug class Kinase Inhibitor
Rx Form 1
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 1 clinical label set within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 5, 2026
Abemaciclib at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Abemaciclib (Verzenio) is a twice-daily targeted tablet for hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, early or advanced, that blocks CDK4 and CDK6 (two enzymes cancer cells use to divide); on the U.S. market since about 2016, it is one of a small group of these drugs that are a standard partner to hormone therapy. Diarrhea is the side effect most people notice, often in the first weeks, along with tiredness, nausea and low blood counts, which your team checks regularly early on. Start loperamide at the first loose stool, drink plenty of fluids and call your care team, and report fever, chills or new breathing changes right away.

Clinical pearls

  • Tell every prescriber you take it, since ketoconazole must be avoided and clarithromycin or fluconazole may require a lower Verzenio dose.
  • Avoid grapefruit products and St. John’s wort, and flag rifampin or phenytoin, which can make Verzenio much less effective.
  • Swallow tablets whole, never crushed, split or cracked, and if you vomit or miss a dose, simply take the next one on schedule.
  • Use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 weeks after the last dose, and do not breastfeed during that time.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asTablet
Earliest FDA record2016
Companies listing it with the FDA1
FDA label last updatedJul 13, 2026
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Abemaciclib, written from its FDA label.

What Abemaciclib is used for

▾

Abemaciclib (brand name Verzenio) is a targeted therapy for hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer in adults. It is approved for several situations:

  • Early breast cancer (high risk of recurrence): Verzenio is taken alongside endocrine therapy — either tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor — as adjuvant (post-surgery) treatment for adults with HR-positive, HER2-negative, node-positive early breast cancer at high risk of the cancer coming back.
  • Advanced or metastatic breast cancer — first hormonal treatment: Verzenio is taken with an aromatase inhibitor as the initial hormone-based therapy.
  • Advanced or metastatic breast cancer — after prior hormone therapy: Verzenio is taken with fulvestrant when the disease has progressed on endocrine therapy.
  • Advanced or metastatic breast cancer — as a single agent: Verzenio is used alone after both prior endocrine therapy and prior chemotherapy (in the metastatic setting) have stopped working.

How Abemaciclib works

▾

Abemaciclib works by blocking two enzymes called cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4 and CDK6). In HR-positive breast cancer cells, these enzymes team up with a protein called cyclin D1 to push cancer cells through their growth cycle and cause them to multiply. By continuously blocking CDK4 and CDK6, abemaciclib prevents cancer cells from progressing through the cell cycle, causing them to stop dividing — and in some cases, to die or enter a state of permanent growth arrest (senescence).

In laboratory models, abemaciclib reduced tumor size both on its own and when combined with anti-estrogen therapies, supporting its use alongside hormone-blocking treatments in clinical practice.

Abemaciclib dosage

▾

Verzenio tablets are taken by mouth twice a day, with or without food. Take your doses at roughly the same times each day to keep steady levels of the medicine in your body.

  • Swallow tablets whole — never chew, crush, or split them, and skip any tablet that is broken or cracked.
  • If you miss a dose or vomit after taking one, do not double up — just take the next dose at the regular scheduled time.
  • For early breast cancer, treatment typically continues for up to 2 years (or until disease recurrence or intolerable side effects). For advanced or metastatic breast cancer, treatment continues until the disease progresses or side effects become unmanageable.
  • Your doctor may adjust your dose if you experience significant side effects or if you are taking certain other medicines. Always follow your prescriber's specific instructions.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Abemaciclib prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • In combination with fulvestrant, tamoxifen, or an aromatase inhibitor
    • 150 mg taken orally twice daily, with or without food
    • Dose reductions: 100 mg twice daily, then 50 mg twice daily; discontinue if unable to tolerate 50 mg twice daily
  • Monotherapy
    • 200 mg taken orally twice daily, with or without food
    • Dose reductions: 150 mg twice daily, then 100 mg twice daily, then 50 mg twice daily; for early breast cancer continue until completion of 2 years of treatment or until disease recurrence, or unacceptable toxicity; for advanced or metastatic breast cancer continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity
  • Severe hepatic impairment (Child Pugh-C)
    • Reduce the VERZENIO dosing frequency to once daily
    • Refer to the Full Prescribing Information for the coadministered fulvestrant, tamoxifen, or aromatase inhibitor for dose modification requirements for severe hepatic impairment
  • Concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors other than ketoconazole
    • In patients with recommended starting doses of 200 mg twice daily or 150 mg twice daily, reduce the VERZENIO dose to 100 mg twice daily
    • In patients already reduced to 100 mg twice daily due to adverse reactions, further reduce to 50 mg twice daily
    • If the CYP3A inhibitor is discontinued, increase the VERZENIO dose (after 3-5 half-lives of the inhibitor) to the dose used before starting the strong inhibitor
  • Concomitant use of moderate CYP3A inhibitors
    • Monitor for adverse reactions and consider reducing the VERZENIO dose in 50 mg decrements as demonstrated in Table 1, if necessary
Read the label’s full dosing text

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION VERZENIO tablets are taken orally with or without food. ( 2.1 ) Recommended starting dose in combination with fulvestrant, tamoxifen, or an aromatase inhibitor: 150 mg twice daily. ( 2.1 ) Recommended starting dose as monotherapy: 200 mg twice daily. ( 2.1 ) Dosing interruption and/or dose reductions may be required based on individual safety and tolerability. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Recommended Dose and Schedule When used in combination with fulvestrant, tamoxifen, or an aromatase inhibitor, the recommended dose of VERZENIO is 150 mg taken orally twice daily. Refer to the Full Prescribing Information for the recommended dose of the fulvestrant, tamoxifen, or aromatase inhibitor being used. Pre/perimenopausal women and men treated with the combination of VERZENIO plus an aromatase inhibitor should be treated with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH) according to current clinical practice standards. Pre/perimenopausal women treated with the combination of VERZENIO plus fulvestrant should be treated with a GnRH according to current clinical practice standards When used as monotherapy, the recommended dose of VERZENIO is 200 mg taken orally twice daily. For early breast cancer, continue VERZENIO until completion of 2 years of treatment or until disease recurrence, or unacceptable toxicity. For advanced or metastatic breast cancer, continue treatment until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. VERZENIO may be taken with or without food [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Instruct patients to take their doses of VERZENIO at approximately the same times every day. If the patient vomits or misses a dose of VERZENIO, instruct the patient to take the next dose at its scheduled time. Instruct patients to swallow VERZENIO tablets whole and not to chew, crush, or split tablets before swallowing. Instruct patients not to ingest VERZENIO tablets if broken, cracked, or otherwise not intact. 2.2 Dose Modification Dose Modifications for Adverse Reactions The recommended VERZENIO dose modifications for adverse reactions are provided in Tables 1 - 7 . Discontinue VERZENIO for patients unable to tolerate 50 mg twice daily.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Abemaciclib side effects

▾

The most common side effects seen in clinical trials with Verzenio include:

Common side effects

  • Diarrhea (very common — start antidiarrheal medicine at the first loose stool)
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Low white blood cell count (neutropenia/leukopenia)
  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal pain
  • Low red blood cell count (anemia)
  • Decreased appetite
  • Headache
  • Hair thinning or loss (alopecia)
  • Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)

When to get medical help

  • Severe diarrhea with signs of dehydration (dizziness, dark urine, dry mouth) — call your doctor right away
  • Fever or chills, which may signal a serious infection related to low white blood cell counts
  • Shortness of breath, persistent cough, or new breathing changes — possible lung inflammation (ILD/pneumonitis)
  • Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe upper-stomach pain — possible liver injury
  • Leg swelling, redness, or pain; or sudden shortness of breath and chest pain — possible blood clot

Serious reactions requiring immediate medical attention include severe or worsening diarrhea with dehydration, high fever (sign of infection with very low white cells), new or worsening breathing problems, yellowing of the skin or eyes, and leg swelling or sudden chest pain (possible blood clot).

Abemaciclib warnings and precautions

▾
  • Diarrhea: Occurred in up to 90% of patients and can be severe. Begin antidiarrheal medicine (such as loperamide) at the first loose stool, drink extra fluids, and contact your doctor right away if it doesn't improve or you become dehydrated.
  • Neutropenia (low white blood cells): Affects up to 46% of patients and can lead to serious or fatal infections. Blood counts are monitored regularly — every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, then monthly.
  • Lung inflammation (ILD/pneumonitis): Severe and potentially fatal cases have been reported. Tell your doctor immediately about any new cough, shortness of breath, or breathing changes.
  • Liver injury (hepatotoxicity): Liver enzymes can rise significantly. Liver function tests are done before starting and throughout treatment. Seek help for jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes) or severe stomach pain.
  • Blood clots (venous thromboembolism): Including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Watch for leg swelling, redness, or sudden shortness of breath.
  • Embryo-fetal toxicity: Verzenio can seriously harm an unborn baby. Use effective contraception throughout treatment and for 3 weeks after the last dose.

Abemaciclib interactions

▾

Abemaciclib is broken down by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4, so drugs and foods that affect this enzyme can change how much abemaciclib is in your body:

  • Ketoconazole (antifungal): Completely avoid — can increase abemaciclib exposure by up to 16 times, greatly raising the risk of side effects.
  • Other strong CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., clarithromycin, certain HIV antiretrovirals): A Verzenio dose reduction is required when used together.
  • Moderate CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., fluconazole, erythromycin, diltiazem, verapamil): Monitor closely; a dose reduction may be needed.
  • Strong or moderate CYP3A inducers (e.g., rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, St. John's Wort): Avoid — these can reduce abemaciclib levels significantly, potentially making it less effective.
  • Grapefruit and grapefruit juice: Avoid — can also raise abemaciclib levels unpredictably.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Abemaciclib prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Ketoconazole (strong CYP3A inhibitor): Ketoconazole is predicted to increase the AUC of abemaciclib by up to 16-fold. Avoid concomitant use of ketoconazole.
  • Other strong CYP3A inhibitors: Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors increased the exposure of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites to a clinically meaningful extent and may lead to increased toxicity. Reduce the VERZENIO dose to 100 mg twice daily (or to 50 mg twice daily if already reduced to 100 mg twice daily due to adverse reactions); after discontinuing the inhibitor, increase the dose (after 3-5 half-lives of the inhibitor) to the dose used before starting the inhibitor.
  • Moderate CYP3A inhibitors: Moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors increased the exposure of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites to a clinically meaningful extent and may lead to increased toxicity. Monitor for adverse reactions and consider reducing the VERZENIO dose in 50 mg decrements as demonstrated in Table 1, if necessary.
  • Grapefruit products: Listed with strong CYP3A inhibitor guidance. Patients should avoid grapefruit products.
  • Strong and moderate CYP3A inducers: Coadministration decreased the plasma concentrations of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites and may lead to reduced activity. Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers and consider alternative agents.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS CYP3A Inhibitors: Avoid concomitant use of ketoconazole. Reduce the VERZENIO dose with concomitant use of other strong and moderate CYP3A inhibitors. ( 2.2 , 7.1 ) CYP3A Inducers: Avoid concomitant use of strong and moderate CYP3A inducers. ( 7.1 ) 7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on VERZENIO CYP3A Inhibitors Strong and moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors increased the exposure of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites to a clinically meaningful extent and may lead to increased toxicity. Ketoconazole Avoid concomitant use of ketoconazole. Ketoconazole is predicted to increase the AUC of abemaciclib by up to 16-fold [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Other Strong CYP3A Inhibitors In patients with recommended starting doses of 200 mg twice daily or 150 mg twice daily, reduce the VERZENIO dose to 100 mg twice daily with concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors other than ketoconazole. In patients who have had a dose reduction to 100 mg twice daily due to adverse reactions, further reduce the VERZENIO dose to 50 mg twice daily with concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors. If a patient taking VERZENIO discontinues a strong CYP3A inhibitor, increase the VERZENIO dose (after 3-5 half-lives of the inhibitor) to the dose that was used before starting the inhibitor. Patients should avoid grapefruit products [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.2 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Moderate CYP3A Inhibitors With concomitant use of moderate CYP3A inhibitors, monitor for adverse reactions and consider reducing the VERZENIO dose in 50 mg decrements as demonstrated in Table 1 , if necessary. Strong and Moderate CYP3A Inducers Coadministration of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers decreased the plasma concentrations of abemaciclib plus its active metabolites and may lead to reduced activity. Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers and consider alternative agents [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .

Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿138 supplements and herbs with documented Abemaciclib interactions, ranked by severity Check Abemaciclib against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Abemaciclib

▾
  • Pregnancy: Verzenio can cause birth defects and fetal harm. Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or become pregnant during treatment. Verify pregnancy status before starting.
  • Contraception: Women who can become pregnant must use effective birth control during treatment and for 3 weeks after the last dose.
  • Breastfeeding: Do not breastfeed while taking Verzenio or for 3 weeks after the last dose — the drug may harm a nursing infant.
  • Male fertility: Animal studies suggest abemaciclib may affect male fertility. Discuss this with your doctor before starting if this is a concern.
  • Children: Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
  • Older adults (65+): No overall difference in effectiveness was seen, but older patients may experience more frequent or severe side effects such as diarrhea, fatigue, and dehydration. Careful monitoring is recommended.
  • Severe liver impairment: Patients with severe liver disease require a reduced dosing frequency — your doctor will adjust accordingly.
  • Mild to moderate kidney impairment: No dose adjustment is needed, but discuss any kidney concerns with your doctor.
  • All medications and supplements: Always give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list — especially antifungals, antibiotics, HIV medicines, seizure drugs, and herbal supplements.

What Abemaciclib does in the body

▾

Studies in patients and healthy volunteers showed that abemaciclib does not cause large, clinically meaningful changes in the heart's electrical rhythm (specifically, it did not cause large increases in the QTc interval, a measure of heart electrical activity). This suggests that abemaciclib is unlikely to cause serious heart rhythm problems at approved doses.

How your body processes Abemaciclib

▾

After swallowing a Verzenio tablet, peak blood levels are typically reached around 8 hours later, and the drug reaches a steady, stable level in the body within about 5 days of twice-daily dosing. Abemaciclib is mainly broken down in the liver by an enzyme called CYP3A4 into several active metabolites — meaning the breakdown products also work against cancer. The drug and its active metabolites are mostly eliminated through the stool (about 81% of a dose), with very little leaving in the urine. The average time for the body to clear half of the drug is roughly 18 hours. Food (including a high-fat meal) has only a modest effect on how much is absorbed, so Verzenio can be taken with or without food.

How to store Abemaciclib

▾

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

138

Supplements & herbs that interact with Abemaciclib

138 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Abemaciclib in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 3
  • Moderate · 94
  • Minor · 41
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major GRAPEFRUIT Major ST. JOHN'S WORT Major ACACIA RIGIDULA Moderate ADRAFINIL Moderate AFRICAN WILD POTATO Moderate AMERICAN ELDER Moderate ASTAXANTHIN Moderate +130 more
Every supplement checked against Abemaciclib — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 3 major · 94 moderate · 41 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Abemaciclib against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Abemaciclib: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Abemaciclib — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What exactly does Verzenio do, and why did my doctor prescribe it for my breast cancer?

▾
Verzenio targets a specific weakness in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer cells — it blocks two proteins (CDK4 and CDK6) that cancer cells depend on to keep multiplying. By blocking them, it stops the cancer cells from dividing. Depending on your situation, your doctor may have prescribed it alongside a hormone-blocking medicine to treat early breast cancer or to manage advanced disease. It's a targeted approach designed to work with — not instead of — your other breast cancer treatments.

How worried should I be about diarrhea?

▾
Diarrhea is the most common side effect — it affects the vast majority of people who take Verzenio, often starting in the first week or two. The key is acting fast: at the very first loose stool, start an antidiarrheal medicine like loperamide (Imodium), drink plenty of fluids, and let your care team know. Most cases are manageable with this approach. But if your diarrhea becomes severe, you feel dizzy or very dehydrated, or it isn't improving, call your doctor right away — they may need to pause or adjust your dose.

Are there any medicines or foods I need to avoid while taking Verzenio?

▾
Yes, a few important ones. Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice entirely while on Verzenio. Certain antifungals — especially ketoconazole — must be avoided because they can cause your Verzenio levels to rise dangerously high. Some antibiotics, HIV medicines, seizure medications, and even the herbal supplement St. John's Wort can also interact significantly. Always tell every doctor, dentist, and pharmacist you see that you're taking Verzenio so they can check for interactions before adding anything new.

Is it safe to get pregnant or breastfeed while on Verzenio?

▾
No — Verzenio can cause serious harm to an unborn baby, so it's very important to use effective birth control during treatment and for 3 weeks after your last dose. Your doctor will check that you're not pregnant before starting. Breastfeeding is also not recommended during treatment and for 3 weeks after stopping, because the medicine could harm a nursing infant. If you have questions about family planning, talk to your doctor before or right after starting Verzenio.

What warning signs should make me call my doctor right away?

▾
There are a few things you should never wait on. Call your doctor or seek care immediately if you have severe or persistent diarrhea with signs of dehydration (dizziness, very dry mouth, barely urinating), a fever or signs of infection (Verzenio can lower your infection-fighting white blood cells), new or worsening shortness of breath or cough, yellowing of your skin or eyes, or sudden leg swelling or chest pain. These can be signs of serious reactions that need prompt attention.

How long will I need to take Verzenio, and can I stop if I feel fine?

▾
That depends on why you're taking it. For early breast cancer, the treatment plan is typically up to 2 years. For advanced or metastatic breast cancer, you generally continue as long as the medicine is working and the side effects are manageable. Even if you feel well, please don't stop on your own — Verzenio works continuously to keep cancer cells from growing, and stopping early could affect how well it works. If side effects are bothering you, talk to your care team; they have ways to adjust your dose to help you stay on treatment.

Is Abemaciclib available over the counter?

▾
No. Abemaciclib is a prescription medicine: every Abemaciclib product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Abemaciclib first available?

▾
The earliest FDA record we hold for Abemaciclib is from 2016: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Abemaciclib was first used.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Abemaciclib on HelloPharmacist

📊Abemaciclib supplement interactions138 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerAbemaciclib vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Abemaciclib NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Abemaciclib Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Abemaciclib forms and strengths (how it comes)

Abemaciclib is available in 1 form. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Tablet

By mouth
Brands Verzenio
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Verzenio tablets are used with endocrine therapy (tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor) to treat early breast cancer that is HR-positive, HER2-negative, and node-positive with high risk of recurrence
  • Verzenio tablets are used with an aromatase inhibitor as an initial hormone-based treatment for advanced or metastatic HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer
  • Verzenio tablets are used with fulvestrant for advanced or metastatic HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that has progressed on prior endocrine therapy
  • Verzenio tablets are used alone for advanced or metastatic HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer after prior endocrine therapy and prior chemotherapy have stopped working
Important instructions
  • Verzenio tablets are taken by mouth twice daily, with or without food
  • Swallow Verzenio tablets whole — do not chew, crush, or split them; do not take a broken or cracked tablet
  • Take Verzenio at approximately the same times each day; if you miss a dose or vomit, skip it and take the next dose at the scheduled time
  • Avoid grapefruit products while taking Verzenio
Available strengths 4 strengths
50 mg 100 mg 150 mg 200 mg
20 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Abemaciclib on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Abemaciclib appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

1 company lists 4 Abemaciclib product records with the FDA, mostly as tablet; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 2016. Brand names on the directory include Verzenio; the rest are generics.

1
Dose forms ⓘ
1
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
1
Brand names
4
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
2016
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (8) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

How widely Abemaciclib is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Abemaciclib is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Abemaciclib is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

27,007
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$416.8M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Abemaciclib prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Abemaciclib ranks #757 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 53% of them.

Where Abemaciclib ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #757 of 1,601
#752 Dexmedetomidine 27,524 Rx #753 Golimumab Injection 27,172 Rx #754 Metronidazole Injectio... 27,056 Rx #755 Emicizumab 27,047 Rx #756 Zolmitriptan 27,026 Rx #757 Abemaciclib 27,007 Rx #758 Ampicillin and Sulbact... 26,484 Rx #759 Ampicillin / Sulbactam 26,484 Rx #760 Zoledronic Acid Inject... 26,317 Rx #761 Zoledronic Acid 26,317 Rx #762 Dolutegravir / Rilpivi... 26,206 Rx

Utilization by Abemaciclib product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 150 mg oral tablet is the most-dispensed Abemaciclib product — about 47% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

abemaciclib 150 MG Oral Tablet Most dispensed

12,702 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 47% of Abemaciclib prescriptions shown $195.3M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $15,372 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 4 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1946842

abemaciclib 100 MG Oral Tablet

10,670 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 40% of Abemaciclib prescriptions shown $162.6M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $15,244 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 3 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1946838

abemaciclib 50 MG Oral Tablet

3,587 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 13% of Abemaciclib prescriptions shown $58.1M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $16,207 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 3 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1946830

abemaciclib 200 MG Oral Tablet

48 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Abemaciclib prescriptions shown $799,779 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $16,662 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 2 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1946846

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Abemaciclib, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 4 of 12 listed Abemaciclib NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Abemaciclib products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Abemaciclib — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Strength Route Manufacturer / Labeler Category ⓘ Details
💊Tablet
50 mg Oral Eli Lilly and Company NDA View NDC →
100 mg Oral Eli Lilly and Company NDA View NDC →
150 mg Oral Eli Lilly and Company NDA View NDC →
200 mg Oral Eli Lilly and Company NDA View NDC →

Showing 4 of 4 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 4 Abemaciclib NDCs →

Abemaciclib recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list no Abemaciclib recalls since July 2021.

✅No Abemaciclib recalls on record since July 2021

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Abemaciclib RxCUI 1946825 1 dose form · 4 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Tablet RxCUI 1946829 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 50 MG RxCUI 1946830 100 MG RxCUI 1946838 150 MG RxCUI 1946842 200 MG RxCUI 1946846

Look up RxCUI 1946825 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

Abemaciclib brand names

Abemaciclib is sold under one brand name in the FDA directory — Verzenio. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Verzenio

Who makes Abemaciclib: manufacturers and labelers

One company lists Abemaciclib products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Eli Lilly and Company. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Eli Lilly and Company 4

Abemaciclib drug class (RxNorm)

Abemaciclib belongs to the Kinase Inhibitor class.

Pharmacologic class Kinase Inhibitor
Drug family (ATC) Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors
How it works Kinase Inhibitors

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Abemaciclib page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Jul 13, 2026
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Abemaciclib.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Abemaciclib after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
1
Finished products in the current FDA directory
4
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
1
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
1
Linked representative label ⓘ
Eli Lilly and Company
Linked label effective
Jul 13, 2026
Composite sections available
21
Linked SPL Set ID
be4bc0de-0fdc-4d46-8d25-be43c79e6a06
Linked SPL Document ID
5b2d0f4e-5bba-4048-a2f0-bcb4b779efc0
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Eli Lilly and Company is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →