How it is administered

Ibrutinib is taken by mouth, once daily, as a tablet, capsule, or oral suspension. The most common adult dose is 420 mg taken once daily, at about the same time each day, with a glass of water. Capsules and tablets should be swallowed whole and not opened, broken, or chewed. The oral suspension should be measured and taken as instructed by your healthcare provider.

For children (mainly for chronic graft versus host disease), the dose is based on body surface area and age. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible on the same day, but do not take extra doses to make up for a missed one.

How it works

Ibrutinib is a type of medicine called a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor. It works by blocking the activity of BTK, a protein that helps certain blood cancer cells (especially B-cells) survive and grow. By blocking BTK, ibrutinib interferes with signals that allow cancer cells to multiply and move around the body.

This action helps to slow down or stop the growth of cancer cells in diseases like chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia (WM). While ibrutinib is not specifically approved for T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia, it is used in other blood cancers to help control the disease and improve survival.

Who Should take it

Ibrutinib is approved for 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 over 1 year old who have not responded to other treatments.

If you have one of these conditions, your doctor may prescribe ibrutinib to help control your disease, especially if other treatments have not worked or are not suitable. For T-Cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia, ibrutinib is not a standard treatment, but your doctor may discuss it as an option if other therapies are not effective, based on your individual situation.

Who should not take it

Ibrutinib should not be taken by people who are allergic to it or any of its ingredients. It should be used with caution in people with severe liver problems, as the body may not process the drug safely. Pregnant women should not take ibrutinib because it can harm an unborn baby, and women should avoid becoming pregnant while on this medication and for at least one month after stopping it.

People taking certain strong medications that affect liver enzymes (CYP3A inhibitors or inducers) may not be able to take ibrutinib safely. Always tell your doctor about all medicines, supplements, and herbal products you are taking.

Commonly used with

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

• Rituximab (an antibody therapy)
• Obinutuzumab (another antibody therapy)
• Bendamustine (a chemotherapy drug)

Your doctor will decide the best combination for you based on your type of cancer and previous treatments.

Commonly tested with

Ibrutinib has been tested in clinical trials with several other medications, especially for blood cancers. These include:

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

These combinations are studied to see if they improve outcomes compared to using each drug alone.