Previously Untreated CLL/SLL
DOSING SCHEDULE
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Treatment with VENCLEXTA + GAZYVA® (obinutuzumab) is designed to be completed in 12 months
VENCLEXTA is a pill that you take once a day. Your healthcare provider may prescribe VENCLEXTA with GAZYVA, an antibody infusion therapy.
You will start taking VENCLEXTA at a low dose and gradually build up to a higher dose—this is known as a “ramp-up” period. This dose ramp-up is designed to gradually destroy your cancer cells and may help reduce your risk of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS).
Your healthcare provider may tell you to take VENCLEXTA differently than described here. Take VENCLEXTA exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not start taking VENCLEXTA until you have reviewed the specific instructions with your healthcare provider. You may be directed to take your first dose and any increase in dose in your healthcare provider’s office or at the hospital.
How should VENCLEXTA be taken?
- Do not change your dose of VENCLEXTA or stop taking VENCLEXTA unless your healthcare provider tells you to
- When you first take VENCLEXTA, you may need to take VENCLEXTA at a hospital or clinic to be monitored for TLS
- Take VENCLEXTA 1 time a day with a meal and water at about the same time each day
- Swallow VENCLEXTA tablets whole. Do not chew, crush, or break the tablets
- If you miss a dose of VENCLEXTA and it has been less than 8 hours, take your dose as soon as possible. If you miss a dose of VENCLEXTA and it has been more than 8 hours, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your usual time
- If you vomit after taking VENCLEXTA, do not take an extra dose. Take the next dose at your usual time the next day
What is the most important information to know about VENCLEXTA?
- Drink plenty of water during treatment with VENCLEXTA to help reduce your risk of getting TLS
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses (about 56 ounces total) of water each day, starting 2 days before your first dose, on the day of your first dose of VENCLEXTA, and each time your dose is increased
- Your healthcare provider may delay, decrease your dose, or stop treatment with VENCLEXTA if you have side effects
See important information about getting started with VENCLEXTA.
Month 1
Weeks 1-3: In the first month, you will receive GAZYVA on the first day of weeks 1-3; however, your very first dose of GAZYVA will be split over days 1 and 2.
Week 4: After the first 3 weeks of GAZYVA treatment, you will start taking VENCLEXTA once a day at a low dose and gradually build up to a higher dose—this is known as a ramp-up period.
Month 2
Throughout the second month, you will gradually build up to a higher dose of VENCLEXTA and receive GAZYVA once during the month.
Months 3–6
You will receive GAZYVA once per month, on the first day of the month and continue to take VENCLEXTA once daily for months 2-6.
Months 7–12
You will continue to take VENCLEXTA once daily until the end of the 12-month treatment period. VENCLEXTA should be taken at the recommended daily dose as prescribed until your healthcare provider tells you to stop taking VENCLEXTA or changes your dose.
Treatment is designed to be completed in 12 months
PATIENT BROCHURE
Get more information about treatment with VENCLEXTA
It is not known if VENCLEXTA is safe and effective in children.
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Learn more about VENCLEXTA treatment
Important Safety Information
What is the most important information I should know about VENCLEXTA?
VENCLEXTA can cause serious side effects, including:
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure, the need for dialysis treatment, and may lead to death. Your healthcare provider will do tests to check your risk of getting TLS before you start taking VENCLEXTA. You will receive other medicines before starting and during treatment with VENCLEXTA to help reduce your risk of TLS. You may also need to receive intravenous (IV) fluids into your vein. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for TLS when you first start treatment and during treatment with VENCLEXTA. It is important to keep your appointments for blood tests. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of TLS during treatment with VENCLEXTA, including fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, confusion, shortness of breath, seizures, irregular heartbeat, dark or cloudy urine, unusual tiredness, or muscle or joint pain.
Drink plenty of water during treatment with VENCLEXTA to help reduce your risk of getting TLS. Drink 6 to 8 glasses (about 56 ounces total) of water each day, starting 2 days before your first dose, on the day of your first dose of VENCLEXTA, and each time your dose is increased.
Your healthcare provider may delay, decrease your dose, or stop treatment with VENCLEXTA if you have side effects. When restarting VENCLEXTA after stopping for 1 week or longer, your healthcare provider may again check for your risk of TLS and change your dose.
Who should not take VENCLEXTA?
Certain medicines must not be taken when you first start taking VENCLEXTA and while your dose is being slowly increased because of the risk of increased TLS.
- Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. VENCLEXTA and other medicines may affect each other causing serious side effects.
- Do not start new medicines during treatment with VENCLEXTA without first talking with your healthcare provider.
Before taking VENCLEXTA, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have kidney or liver problems.
- have problems with your body salts or electrolytes, such as potassium, phosphorus, or calcium.
- have a history of high uric acid levels in your blood or gout.
- are scheduled to receive a vaccine. You should not receive a “live vaccine” before, during, or after treatment with VENCLEXTA, until your healthcare provider tells you it is okay. If you are not sure about the type of immunization or vaccine, ask your healthcare provider. These vaccines may not be safe or may not work as well during treatment with VENCLEXTA.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. VENCLEXTA may harm your unborn baby. If you are able to become pregnant, your healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before you start treatment with VENCLEXTA, and you should use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 30 days after the last dose of VENCLEXTA. If you become pregnant or think you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider right away.
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if VENCLEXTA passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with VENCLEXTA and for 1 week after the last dose.
What should I avoid while taking VENCLEXTA?
You should not drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit, Seville oranges (often used in marmalades), or starfruit while you are taking VENCLEXTA. These products may increase the amount of VENCLEXTA in your blood.
What are the possible side effects of VENCLEXTA?
VENCLEXTA can cause serious side effects, 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 may pause dosing.
- Infections. Death and serious infections such as pneumonia and blood infection (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 right away if you have a fever or any signs of an infection during treatment with VENCLEXTA.
The most common side effects of VENCLEXTA when used in combination with obinutuzumab or rituximab or alone in people with CLL or SLL include low white blood cell counts; low platelet counts; low red blood cell counts; diarrhea; nausea; upper respiratory tract infection; cough; muscle and joint pain; tiredness; and swelling of your arms, legs, hands, and feet.
VENCLEXTA may cause fertility problems in males. 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. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit
or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
If you cannot afford your medication, contact
for assistance.
US-VENC-200364
