Side effects to watch for
Serious side effects
Each person responds differently to VENCLEXTA in combination with azacitidine, or decitabine, or low-dose cytarabine. Side effects are a real possibility and VENCLEXTA can cause serious side effects, which include:
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS)
TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. It can cause kidney failure, the need for dialysis treatment, and may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will do tests for TLS, so keeping appointments for those tests is important. To help reduce TLS risk, you will receive other medicines before starting and during treatment with VENCLEXTA. You may also need to receive intravenous fluids into your vein.
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of TLS during treatment with VENCLEXTA, including:
Low white blood cell counts (neutropenia)
Low white blood cell counts are common with VENCLEXTA but can also be severe. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your blood counts during treatment with VENCLEXTA and possibly pause dosing.
Infections
Death and serious infections such as pneumonia and blood infections (sepsis) have happened during treatment with VENCLEXTA. Your healthcare provider will closely monitor and treat you right away if you have a fever or any signs of infection during treatment with VENCLEXTA. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a fever or any signs of an infection during your treatment with VENCLEXTA.
Some people may experience other side effects.
Common side effects
The most common side effects of VENCLEXTA in combination with azacitidine, or decitabine, or low-dose cytarabine include:
Blood-related symptoms
- Low platelet count (cells in blood that help it to stop bleeding after a cut)
- Low white blood cell count
- Fever with low white blood cell count
- Low red blood cell count
- Low blood pressure
- Bleeding
Respiratory symptoms
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
Digestive and stomach symptoms
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stomach (abdominal) pain
- Constipation
General symptoms
- Tiredness
- Infection in blood
- Infection in lungs
- Muscle and joint pain
- Swelling of arms, legs, hands, or feet
- Fever
- Rash
Neurological symptoms
- Dizziness
Your healthcare provider may delay or decrease your dose or stop treatment if you have side effects. Don't stop or change your dose unless directed by your healthcare provider. VENCLEXTA may cause fertility problems in men. This may affect your ability to father a child. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about fertility. These are not all the possible side effects of VENCLEXTA. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or call the number below.
