Venetoclax

Venetoclax is used to treat:

• chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; a type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells)
• small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL; a type of cancer that begins mostly in the lymph nodes)
• acute myeloid leukemia (AML; a type of cancer that begins in the white blood cells).

Venetoclax is in a class of medications called B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) inhibitors. It works by blocking the action of a certain protein in the body that helps cancer cells survive. This helps to kill cancer cells.

Venetoclax comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Take with a meal and water once a day. Take venetoclax at around the same time every day.

Take venetoclax exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

If you vomit after taking venetoclax, do not repeat the dose. Continue your regular dosing schedule.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of venetoclax and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every week for the first 5 weeks if you are being treated for CLL or SLL, and once a day for the first 3 or 4 days if you are being treated for AML.

Your doctor may need to interrupt or stop your treatment if you experience certain side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with venetoclax. For certain side effects, your doctor may tell you to start taking venetoclax at a lower dose.

You will be given the Medication Guide. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking venetoclax,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any other drugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• some medications should not be taken with venetoclax. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with venetoclax. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting venetoclax with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking venetoclax, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
• the following herbal product may interact with venetoclax: St. John's wort. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking this medication before you start taking venetoclax. Do not start this medication while taking venetoclax without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had problems with your levels of potassium, phosphorus, or calcium in your blood; high levels of uric acid in your blood; gout (a type of arthritis caused by crystals deposited in the joints); or kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you can become pregnant, you will need to have a pregnancy test before beginning treatment with venetoclax. You should not become pregnant during your treatment and for 30 days after your final dose. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that you can use during your treatment. If you become pregnant while taking venetoclax, call your doctor.
• tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while taking venetoclax and for 1 week after your final dose.
• you should know that this medication may decrease fertility in men. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking venetoclax.
• do not have any vaccinations before, during, or after treatment with venetoclax without talking to your doctor.
• you should know that you may experience tumor lysis syndrome (TLS; a condition caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells that can cause kidney failure and other complications) during your treatment with venetoclax. This is more likely to happen when you are first starting treatment, and each time your dose is increased. To help reduce your risk of experiencing TLS you should drink at least 6 to 8 glasses (48 to 64 ounces) of water a day for 2 days before and on the day of your first dose, and each time your dose is increased.  If you experience any of the following symptoms of TLS call your doctor immediately: fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, confusion, shortness of breath, seizures, irregular heartbeat, dark or cloudy urine, unusual tiredness, or muscle or joint pain.

Do not eat grapefruit, starfruit, or Seville oranges (sometimes used in marmalades), or drink grapefruit juice while taking this medication.

If you remember the missed dose within 8 hours of the time you were scheduled to take it, take the missed dose right away. However, if more than 8 hours have passed since the time you usually take venetoclax, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

If you miss taking venetoclax for more than 7 days, you should call your doctor before taking any more medication. Your doctor may want to restart your medication at a lower dose.

Venetoclax may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
• decreased appetite
• extreme tiredness
• swelling of your arms or hands
• bone, muscle, or joint pain
• back or abdominal pain
• swelling or sores in the mouth
• mouth or throat pain
• headache
• shortness of breath
• dizziness
• rash
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:

• fever alone or along with sore throat, cough, chills, warm, red, painful or swollen skin, urgent, frequent, or painful urination, and other signs of infection
• decreased urination
• swelling of your legs, ankles, or feet
• unusual or heavy bleeding or bruising
• pale skin, shortness of breath, dizziness, extreme tiredness, fast heartbeat

Venetoclax may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Do not transfer the medication to a different container. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and during your treatment to check your body's response to venetoclax.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

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