Adjuvant abemaciclib + endocrine therapy
The usual abemaciclib starting dose is 150 mg twice daily; a lower dose or altered schedule may be prescribed. Abemaciclib is taken twice daily continuously for up to two years with endocrine therapy, unless recurrence or unacceptable toxicity requires an earlier change. A four-week dispensing block is not a rest cycle. Endocrine treatment normally continues beyond abemaciclib.
Treatment and monitoring over time
Columns show sequence and general intervals, not equal periods or booked appointments. The team confirms who arranges each test, who reviews results and who authorises treatment or restart.
| Check | Before first dose | First two months | Next two months | Later treatment | Two-year completion / change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abemaciclib and endocrine partner | Confirm high-risk eligibility and treatment timing | Twice daily continuously; no rest week | Continue if tolerated | Up to two years; endocrine treatment continues | Review endocrine plan separately |
| FBC / renal / liver / bone profile | Baseline blood tests | Every two weeks | Monthly | As clinically indicated | Follow unresolved abnormalities |
| ECG / heart rhythm | As clinically indicated | Repeat if clinically indicated | No routine Day-14 ECG schedule | Symptoms/risk guide testing | Follow any identified problem |
| Diarrhoea / hydration | Rescue medicine and contact plan ready | Start action plan at first loose stool | Continue symptom and intake review | Contact team between visits for persistent symptoms | Follow recovery; do not self-restart held doses |
| Clots / lungs / infection | Review prior VTE and breathing symptoms | Prompt assessment of warning symptoms | Continue symptom review | Report new leg swelling, chest or breathing symptoms | Symptoms still need assessment after stopping |
| Bone / endocrine / follow-up | Assess fracture risk; confirm AI/OFS or other partner | Support hormone-related symptoms | Continue endocrine and bone plan | Early-breast surveillance and risk-based bone review | Endocrine treatment and surveillance continue |
Adjuvant abemaciclib + endocrine therapy: treatment and checks
HR-positive / HER2-negative early breast cancer · adjuvant
The usual abemaciclib starting dose is 150 mg twice daily; a lower dose or altered schedule may be prescribed. Abemaciclib is taken twice daily continuously for up to two years with endocrine therapy, unless recurrence or unacceptable toxicity requires an earlier change. A four-week dispensing block is not a rest cycle. Endocrine treatment normally continues beyond abemaciclib.
On a small screen, swipe the map sideways. The checks below give the same timing in words.
| Care / check | Before first dose | First two months | Next two months | Later treatment | Two-year completion / change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abemaciclib and endocrine partnerNCCP 00619 · SMPC | Confirm high-risk eligibility and treatment timing | Twice daily continuously; no rest week | Continue if tolerated | Up to two years; endocrine treatment continues | Review endocrine plan separately |
| FBC / renal / liver / bone profileNCCP 00619 · SMPC | Baseline blood tests | Every two weeks | Monthly | As clinically indicated | Follow unresolved abnormalities |
| ECG / heart rhythmNCCP 00619 · SMPC | As clinically indicated | Repeat if clinically indicated | No routine Day-14 ECG schedule | Symptoms/risk guide testing | Follow any identified problem |
| Diarrhoea / hydrationNCCP 00619 · SMPC | Rescue medicine and contact plan ready | Start action plan at first loose stool | Continue symptom and intake review | Contact team between visits for persistent symptoms | Follow recovery; do not self-restart held doses |
| Clots / lungs / infectionNCCP 00619 · SMPC | Review prior VTE and breathing symptoms | Prompt assessment of warning symptoms | Continue symptom review | Report new leg swelling, chest or breathing symptoms | Symptoms still need assessment after stopping |
| Bone / endocrine / follow-upNCCP 00619 · SMPC | Assess fracture risk; confirm AI/OFS or other partner | Support hormone-related symptoms | Continue endocrine and bone plan | Early-breast surveillance and risk-based bone review | Endocrine treatment and surveillance continue |
What each check is for
1Before the first doseBefore first dose
Check eligibility, organ function and the exact treatment/support plan.
Ask / act: Confirm who arranges each check and who reviews it.
Sources: NCCP 00619 · SMPC
2Early toxicity checksFirst two months
Important toxicity can begin before the first routine review.
Ask / act: Keep early appointments and use the agreed symptom-contact plan.
Sources: NCCP 00619 · SMPC
3Benefit, tolerability and adherenceLater treatment
Longer-term treatment still needs clinical review.
Ask / act: Ask about symptom support, results and the next decision.
Sources: NCCP 00619 · SMPC
4Completion or treatment changeTwo-year completion / change
The targeted medicine and endocrine partner may have different stop dates.
Ask / act: Confirm each medicine and the ongoing follow-up plan.
Sources: NCCP 00619
At the next review, ask
- Which treatment phase am I in, and what happens next?
- Which test is expected next, who arranges it, and who explains the result?
- Who should I contact if an expected appointment has not arrived?
This map does not show whether a test has been ordered, booked or completed. Do not wait for a scheduled test if you develop new symptoms.