If you have a certain kind of breast cancer, your doctor might suggest Kisqali as a treatment option for you.

Kisqali is a prescription medication used in adults to treat hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer that’s advanced or metastatic.

Kisqali is taken with either Faslodex (fulvestrant) or an aromatase inhibitor, such as Femara (letrozole).

The active ingredient in Kisqali is ribociclib. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. Kisqali is a type of targeted therapy for breast cancer.

This article describes the dosages of Kisqali, as well as its strength and how to take the drug. To learn more about Kisqali, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Kisqali’s typical dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when using Kisqali, always take the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

The information described below covers common dosages of Kisquali. Your doctor will discuss your exact dosage and other details about Kisqali use for your condition.

What is Kisqali’s form?

Kisqali comes as tablets that you swallow.

What strength does Kisqali come in?

Kisqali only comes in a strength of 200 milligrams (mg).

What are the typical dosages of Kisqali?

Below are commonly prescribed dosages of Kisqali. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage for you.

Kisqali treatment for certain kinds of breast cancer is based on a 28-day cycle. You’ll take 600 mg of Kisqali (three tablets) once each day for 21 days. Then you’ll stop taking the drug for 7 days. You’ll continue this dosing schedule as long as Kisquali is working safely and effectively for you.

If you’re taking an aromatase inhibitor with Kisqali, you’ll usually take it once daily throughout Kisqali treatment. This includes on days you don’t take Kisqali. An example of an aromatase inhibitor is Femara (letrozole).

Your doctor may prescribe the Kisqali Femara co-pack if you take Femara with Kisqali. The co-pack contains enough Kisqali and Femara tablets for one cycle.

If you’re taking Kisqali with Faslodex (fulvestrant), you’ll receive injections of Faslodex on day 1, 15, and 29 of the first month of treatment. (A healthcare professional will give you this drug as an injection into a muscle.) After this, you’ll receive these injections once monthly as long as your doctor determines they’re safe and working for your condition.

Is Kisqali used long term?

Yes, Kisqali is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Kisqali is safe and effective for you, it’s likely that you’ll use it long term.

Dosage adjustments

You may need a dose reduction if you have certain serious health conditions, such as liver disease.

If you experience serious side effects with Kisqali, your doctor may lower your dose or pause treatment. Depending on your response, you may restart treatment or permanently stop taking Kisqali. For information about Kisqali’s side effects, see this article.

The dosage of Kisqali you’re prescribed may depend on several factors.

These include:

Kisqali is a tablet that you swallow whole. You’ll take a dose once daily for 21 days each month, then you’ll stop taking Kisqali for 7 days. (This 28-day period is called a cycle.)

You can take Kisqali with or without food. But try to take your dose at about the same time daily.

Don’t crush, break, or chew Kisqali tablets. If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.

For information on Kisqali expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

It’s important to take Kisqali as prescribed to manage your condition. If you forget to take your usual dose of the drug, skip the missed dose. Continue with your next normally scheduled dose.

Don’t take two doses of Kisqali together. This may increase your risk of serious side effects.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Kisqali on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

Don’t take more Kisqali than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Kisqali

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

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Kisqali for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you shouldn’t change your dosage of Kisqali without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Kisqali 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 your doctor:

  • Will a lower dose of Kisquali still work to treat my breast cancer?
  • Would I need a lower dosage of Kisqali if I have heart rhythm problems?
  • Does my dosage of Kisqali need to change if I’m taking other medications along with it?

Get news about treatments for your condition and read first-person stories by signing up for Healthline’s breast cancer newsletter. You can also join our online breast cancer community.

Q:

Will my Kisqali dosage need adjustment if I have serious kidney problems?

Anonymous

A:

Yes. If you have severe kidney problems, your doctor will likely recommend starting Kisqali at a lower dose.

Instead of 600 mg once daily, your doctor will recommend starting Kisqali at 200 mg once daily for the first 21 days of a treatment cycle. (Kisqali treatment is based on a 28-day cycle. You’ll take Kisqali once each day for 21 days, then you’ll stop taking the drug for 7 days.)

Before you start Kisqali, let your doctor know if you have kidney disease. They can lower your dose based on your kidney function.

Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH, FCCPAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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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.