Key takeaways

  • When taking Verzenio alone for breast cancer, the dosage is 200 mg twice per day.
  • When taking Verzenio with other medications, such as fulvestrant, aromatase inhibitors, or tamoxifen, the dosage is 150 mg twice per day.
  • For early stage breast cancer, Verzenio is typically taken for 2 years. For advanced or metastatic breast cancer, Verzenio is usually taken long term as long as the drug remains effective and its side effects are manageable.

Verzenio is prescribed to treat a specific type of breast cancer in adults in certain situations:

This article describes Verzenio’s dosages, strengths, and how to take it. To learn more about Verzenio, including details about its uses, read this in-depth Verzenio article.

Your doctor will likely start you on the recommended dosage of Verzenio for your condition. Then, if needed, they’ll adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

What’s the form of Verzenio?

Verzenio comes as a tablet you swallow.

What strengths does Verzenio come in?

Verzenio comes in four strengths:

  • 50 milligrams (mg)
  • 100 mg
  • 150 mg
  • 200 mg

Your dosage of Verzenio for treating breast cancer depends on whether you’re taking Verzenio with other medications to treat your condition or whether you’re taking Verzenio alone.

When taking Verzenio alone, you’ll take 200 mg twice per day.

When taking Verzenio with other medications, such as fulvestrant (Faslodex), an aromatase inhibitor, or tamoxifen, you’ll take 150 mg of Verzenio twice per day.

Is Verzenio used long term?

It may be. How long you’ll take Verzenio depends on your condition and how your body responds to treatment with the drug. For early stage breast cancer, you’ll likely take Verzenio for 2 years.

For advanced or metastatic breast cancer, you’ll likely take Verzenio long term. You’ll take the drug for as long as your body tolerates it well and the treatment continues to be effective for your condition.

Dosage adjustments

You may need dosage adjustments for Verzenio in some cases. For example, if you take certain medications that interact with Verzenio, you may need a dosage adjustment.

If you have a severe liver problem, your doctor may adjust your dosage of Verzenio. If you have a severe kidney problem, Verzenio may not be safe for you to take.

Your doctor will order blood tests to check how your liver and kidneys are functioning before you start Verzenio. If you have questions about your Verzenio dose, talk with your doctor.

The dosage of Verzenio you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re taking the drug to treat
  • other medications you take
  • other conditions you may have (see the earlier “Dosage adjustments” section)

Verzenio comes as a tablet you swallow. You should try to take your dose around the same time each day. This will help keep a consistent level of the drug in your body.

You can take Verzenio with or without food, but do not take it with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. This could affect how the medication works.

You should also avoid taking Verzenio with high fat, high calorie meals (those with more than 800 calories). This can also affect how the drug works. Talk with your doctor about the foods you eat and the best way to take Verzenio.

You should swallow Verzenio whole. Do not cut, chew, or crush Verzenio tablets or take any cracked, damaged, or broken ones.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Verzenio, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one. If you’re not sure whether to take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Verzenio on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Do not take more Verzenio than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

What to do in case you take too much Verzenio

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Verzenio. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

This article describes the usual dosages provided by Verzenio’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Do not change your dosage of Verzenio without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Verzenio exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask them:

  • Would a different dosage affect my risk of side effects from Verzenio?
  • Would a lower dosage of Verzenio still work to treat my advanced breast cancer?
  • Will I need a different dosage of Verzenio if I’m taking an HIV medication?

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.