Ribociclib and Food

Patients should not consume pomegranates, pomegranate juice, grapefruit, or grapefruit juice during treatment with ribociclib unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Pomegranate juice or grapefruit juice can increase the blood levels of ribociclib. You may be more likely to experience side effects such as nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; loss of appetite; abdominal pain; mouth sores; hair loss; weakness; and impaired bone marrow function resulting in low numbers of different types of blood cells, which can increase the risk of anemia, bleeding problems, and infections. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

GENERALLY AVOID: Pomegranates and grapefruit may increase the systemic exposure to ribociclib. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in these fruits. Increased exposure to ribociclib may increase the risk of adverse effects such as infections, neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomatitis, alopecia, fatigue, headache, and abnormal liver function may be increased.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving ribociclib should avoid consumption of pomegranates or pomegranate juice and grapefruit or grapefruit juice during treatment.