Ibrance (palbociclib) is a prescription drug used to slow the progress of metastatic breast cancer. Foods to avoid while taking Ibrance include grapefruit and grapefruit products. Healthcare professionals may also recommend avoiding other foods or drinks.

Ibrance is a type of targeted therapy medication called a CDK 4/6 inhibitor. Targeted therapy drugs target certain cells and stop them from growing and making more cells. Ibrance comes as both oral tablets and oral capsules and is taken in combination with hormone therapy medications.

This article addresses foods and beverages you should avoid with Ibrance. For more information about vitamins, minerals, and other drugs that may interfere with Ibrance, check out this article.

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Orange juice is not listed as a food product to avoid in the prescribing information for Ibrance capsules or tablets. But some research suggests that Seville oranges may interact with many medications, including anticancer drugs.

You should avoid drinking grapefruit juice, and eating grapefruit or grapefruit products while taking Ibrance. Grapefruit interferes with how your body processes Ibrance. This may increase the amount of Ibrance in your blood which can raise your risk of side effects from the drug.

Some sources suggest that you should not drink pomegranate juice during Ibrance treatment. One older source indicates that you should avoid eating starfruit or drinking starfruit juice while taking Ibrance. These may interact with Ibrance and affect the level of the drug in your system.

If you have questions about consuming specific foods or beverages during Ibrance treatment, talk with a doctor or healthcare professional.

Turmeric (also known as curcumin) is an herb used in dietary supplements for several health conditions. Scientists don’t know for sure if Ibrance interacts with turmeric. Some research suggests it may slow down how your body processes Ibrance. But the prescribing information for Ibrance capsules and tablets doesn’t recommend avoiding it.

Scientists are researching turmeric as a treatment for cancer. Although it may have some beneficial effects, there’s not enough evidence yet to recommend it as a treatment.

Seek professional medical advice before ingesting turmeric with Ibrance. Healthcare professionals can help you determine if it’s safe to do so.

One older source indicates you should avoid St. John’s wort when taking Ibrance. St. John’s wort is a dietary supplement promoted for many uses, such as an aid to help treat depression. But research shows that it can interact in serious or life threatening ways with several medications.

If you have questions about eating specific foods while taking Ibrance, talk with a doctor or healthcare professional. Also, tell them about any medications you take and any allergies or medical conditions you have. This includes supplements, vitamins, or over-the-counter drugs.

Alcohol is not known to interact with Ibrance. But Ibrance can cause similar side effects as alcohol, including tiredness, nausea, and vomiting. So you may be more likely to have these side effects if you drink alcohol during Ibrance treatment.

Talk with a healthcare professional if you have questions about drinking alcohol with Ibrance.

Ibrance may also cause serious side effects, including:

Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening symptoms while taking Ibrance. If you have serious side effects, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.

You should not consume grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or other grapefruit products during Ibrance treatment. Some sources also recommend avoiding Seville orange, starfruit, or pomegranate products while taking this drug.

Although scientists don’t know for sure, some research indicates turmeric may interact with Ibrance. And some sources recommend avoiding St. John’s wort. Alcohol is not known to interact with Ibrance, but it may produce similar side effects.

Tell your doctor about any health conditions you have and any medications, supplements, or vitamins you take before starting Ibrance.

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.