Drug Detail:Venclexta (Venetoclax [ ven-et-oh-klax ])
Generic Name: Venetoclax [ ven-ET-oh-klax ]
Drug Class: Miscellaneous antineoplastics
Uses of Venclexta Starting Pack:
- It is used to treat types of leukemia and lymphoma.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Venclexta Starting Pack?
- If you are allergic to Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax); any part of Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax), like certain drugs that are used for HIV, infections, or seizures. There are many drugs that must not be taken with Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax).
- If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax).
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax).
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Venclexta Starting Pack?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- Other drugs will be given with Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax) to help avoid side effects.
- You may have more of a chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu. Some infections have been very bad and even deadly.
- If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
- Tell your doctor if you have signs of high or low blood sugar like breath that smells like fruit, dizziness, fast breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling confused, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, flushing, headache, more thirsty or hungry, passing urine more often, shaking, or sweating.
- Talk with your doctor if you have recently had a vaccine or before getting any vaccines. Vaccine use with Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax) may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, Seville oranges, and starfruit.
- Some drugs may need to be taken at least 6 hours before Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax). Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see if your other drugs must be taken at a different time than Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax).
- This medicine may affect being able to father a child. Talk with the doctor.
- This medicine may cause harm to an unborn baby. A pregnancy test will be done before you start Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax) to show that you are NOT pregnant.
- Women must use birth control while taking Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax) and for some time after the last dose. Ask your doctor how long to use birth control. If you get pregnant, call your doctor right away.
Related/similar drugs
Calquence, Imbruvica, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, Rituxan, azacitidine, ibrutinibHow is this medicine (Venclexta Starting Pack) best taken?
Use Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Take with a meal.
- Swallow whole with a drink of water.
- Do not chew, break, or crush.
- Take Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax) at the same time of day.
- Drink plenty of water when taking Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax) unless told to drink less water by your doctor. Drink 6 to 8 glasses (about 56 ounces total) of water each day. Start doing this 2 days before your first dose. Talk with your doctor if you have questions.
- Keep taking Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax) as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
- If you throw up after taking a dose, do not repeat the dose. Take your next dose at your normal time.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is has been more than 8 hours since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of electrolyte problems like mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, seizures, not hungry, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
- Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
- Feeling very tired or weak.
- Pale skin.
- Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
- Swelling.
- Shortness of breath.
- Cloudy or pink-red urine.
- Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
- Patients with cancer who take Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax) may be at a greater risk of getting a severe health problem called tumor lysis syndrome (TLS).This may lead to death. Call your doctor right away if you have a fast or abnormal heartbeat; any passing out; trouble passing urine; muscle weakness or cramps; upset stomach, throwing up, diarrhea, or not able to eat; or feel sluggish.
What are some other side effects of Venclexta Starting Pack?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Signs of a common cold.
- Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak.
- Headache.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Mouth irritation or mouth sores.
- Back, muscle, or joint pain.
- Constipation.
- Stomach pain.
- Diarrhea, throwing up, upset stomach, and feeling less hungry are common with Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax). If these happen, talk with your doctor about ways to lower these side effects. Call your doctor right away if any of these effects bother you, do not get better, or get very bad.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Venclexta Starting Pack?
- Store in the original container at room temperature.
- Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax) is refilled. If you have any questions about Venclexta Starting Pack (venetoclax), please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Venclexta (venetoclax) chemotherapy?
- How effective is Venclexta?
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