Venclexta Side Effects

Generic name: venetoclax

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Jan 25, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Venclexta.

Applies to venetoclax: oral tablet Side Effects associated with venetoclax. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Venclexta.

Applies to venetoclax: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. Women must have a negative pregnancy test before starting this medicine. Use an effective form of birth control during treatment and for at least 30 days after the last dose to prevent pregnancy. If you think you have become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Do not use this medicine together with clarithromycin, conivaptan, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, lopinavir, posaconazole, ritonavir, telaprevir, and voriconazole. Using these medicines together may cause serious unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause a serious type of reaction called tumor lysis syndrome. Your doctor may give you a medicine to help prevent this. Call your doctor right away if you have a decrease or change in urine amount, joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, lower back, side, or stomach pain, a rapid weight gain, swelling of the feet or lower legs, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine may cause serious infections, including pneumonia (lung infection) and sepsis (blood infection), which can be life-threatening. Check with your doctor if you have symptoms of an infection such as a fever, chills, body aches, or sore throat. This medicine may decrease the amount of white blood cells in the blood. White blood cells help your immune system fight infections. Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured.

While you are being treated with venetoclax (the active ingredient contained in Venclexta) and after you stop treatment with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Venetoclax may lower your body's resistance and the vaccine may not work as well or you might get the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent. In addition, you should not be around other persons living in your household who receive live virus vaccines because there is a chance they could pass the virus on to you. Some examples of live vaccines include measles, mumps, influenza (nasal flu vaccine), poliovirus (oral form), rotavirus, and rubella. Do not get close to them and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.

Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children. Some men who use this medicine may become infertile (unable to have children).

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Venclexta

Along with its needed effects, venetoclax may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking venetoclax:

Other side effects of Venclexta

Some side effects of venetoclax may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to venetoclax: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most common adverse reactions (20% or greater) of any grade were neutropenia, diarrhea, nausea, anemia, upper respiratory tract infection, thrombocytopenia, and fatigue.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Diarrhea (35%), nausea (33%), vomiting (15%), constipation (14%)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Neutropenia (45%), anemia (29%), thrombocytopenia (22%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Febrile neutropenia
• Frequency not reported: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Hyperkalemia (20%), hyperphosphatemia (15%), hypokalemia (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Tumor lysis syndrome, hypocalcemia, hyperuricemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Back pain (10%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (15%)^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (21%), pyrexia (16%), peripheral edema (11%)^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Upper respiratory tract infection (22%), cough (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• Is Venclexta (venetoclax) chemotherapy?
• How effective is Venclexta?
• How long do you take Venclexta for?
• Can Venclexta be used for Multiple Myeloma?
• How is Venclexta (venetoclax) used for AML?
• How does Venclexta work?

Further information

Venclexta side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer