Three Breast Cancer Drugs Pose Risks of Lung Inflammation, FDA Says

The FDA warned of rare but severe lung inflammation risks for Pfizer’s Ibrance (palbociclib), Novartis’ Kisqali (ribociclib) and Eli Lilly’s Verzenio (abemaciclib), three treatments for advanced breast cancer.

The agency said the benefit of the drugs is “still greater than the risks when used as prescribed,” but it approved new warnings about the lung inflammation risks for the prescribing information and patient package inserts.

Possible symptoms include difficult or uncomfortable breathing, as well as shortness of breath while resting or during low physical activity, the agency said.