How it is administered

Ibrutinib is taken by mouth as an immediate-release oral capsule, tablet, or oral suspension. The most common dosage for adults with blood cancers is 420 mg once daily, taken at about the same time each day. Capsules and tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water and should not be opened, broken, cut, crushed, or chewed. The oral suspension should be prepared and taken as instructed by your healthcare provider.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible on the same day, then return to your normal schedule the next day. Do not take extra doses to make up for a missed dose.

How it works

Ibrutinib is a type of medicine called a kinase inhibitor. It works by blocking a specific protein in your body called Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK). BTK is important for the survival and growth of certain blood cells, especially B-cells, which can become cancerous in diseases like Mantle Cell Lymphoma and other B-cell blood cancers.

By blocking BTK, ibrutinib disrupts signals that tell cancerous B-cells to grow and survive. This helps slow down or stop the spread of cancer cells, and can also make them die off. Ibrutinib also affects how these cells move and stick to other parts of the body, which is important in preventing the cancer from spreading.

Who Should take it

Ibrutinib is used to treat adults with certain blood cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM). It is also used for chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) in adults and children age 1 year and older after other treatments have not worked.

While ibrutinib is not specifically approved for Mantle Cell Lymphoma in the provided FDA label, it is commonly used for other B-cell cancers, and your doctor may consider it if you have a similar type of lymphoma. Always follow your healthcare provider’s advice about whether this medication is right for you.

Who should not take it

There are no absolute contraindications listed for ibrutinib, but certain people should use caution or may need a different treatment. If you have severe liver problems, your doctor may avoid using ibrutinib or adjust your dose. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not take ibrutinib, as it can harm an unborn baby.

If you are taking strong CYP3A inhibitors or inducers (certain medications that affect how your body processes drugs), you may need a different dose or a different medication. Always tell your doctor about all medicines and supplements you are taking.

Commonly used with

Ibrutinib is sometimes used alone, but it can also be combined with other medicines to treat blood cancers. Common combinations include:

• Rituximab (a monoclonal antibody)
• Obinutuzumab (another monoclonal antibody)
• Bendamustine (a chemotherapy drug, often with rituximab)

Your doctor will decide the best combination based on your specific type of cancer and overall health.

Commonly tested with

Ibrutinib has been studied in combination with several other medications in clinical trials for blood cancers. These include:

• Rituximab
• Obinutuzumab
• Bendamustine
• Chemotherapy regimens (such as fludarabine and cyclophosphamide)

These combinations are tested to see if they improve outcomes for patients with B-cell malignancies.