Venetoclax is used alone or in combination with obinutuzumab (Gazyva) or rituximab (Rituxan) to treat certain types of chronic lymphocytic leukemia or certain types of small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL; a type of cancer that begins mostly in the lymph nodes).

Uses

Venetoclax is used alone or together with other medicines (eg, rituximab) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), with or without 17p deletion, in patients who have received at least one previous treatment. It is also used together with obinutuzumab to treat previously untreated CLL or SLL.

Venetoclax is also used together with other medicines (eg, azacitidine, decitabine, low-dose cytarabine) to treat newly-diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults 75 years of age and older or who have other medical conditions that prevent the use of standard chemotherapy.

Usage

Venetoclax comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with a meal and water once a day. Take venetoclax at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. 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.

Side effects 

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

diarrhea

constipation

nausea

vomiting

decreased appetite

extreme tiredness

swelling of your arms or hands

back pain

bone, muscle, or joint pain

abdominal pain

swelling or sores in the mouth

mouth or throat pain

headache

runny or stuffy nose, cough

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.