For Patients and Caregivers

Starting patients on VENCLEXTA treatment

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1. Dosing guidance
2. Therapy initiation
3. Additional resources

Working with your clinical team to adopt protocols and set expectations can help support initiation of VENCLEXTA. Use this guide to help prepare your practice and patients for treatment.

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1. Dosing guidance

Dosing schedule, drug interactions, dose modifications

Follow the links below to find information to help you understand and plan dosing for your patients and watch an oncologist talk about dosing for a patient with R/R CLL.

VENCLEXTA Starting Pack
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Dosing schedules

See the 5-week ramp-up and fixed-duration regimens for 1L and R/R1

View schedules
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Drug interactions

Review drug interactions, associated dose modifications, and contraindications

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Dosing modifications

Learn how to manage potential adverse reactions

Review dose modifications
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After the dose ramp-up, Mark* will take 24 months of VENCLEXTA daily at 400 mg/day and 6 cycles of rituximab with 375 mg/m2 in Cycle 1 and 500 mg/m2 in Cycles 2-6.
-Dr. Edward Crane, TriHealth Cancer Institute, Cincinnati, OH

 

*Hypothetical patient.

Hear Dr. Crane discuss dosing for a relapsed/refractory patient case.

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Video thumbnail - Hear Dr. Crane discuss Dosing for a relapsed/refractory patient case.
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2. Therapy initiation

Risk assessment, prophylaxis, and monitoring measures for TLS

When you’re ready to start VENCLEXTA, here is information to help you assess, prep, and initiate your patients.

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Tumor Burden Assessment tutorial

Use this interactive tutorial to understand how to assess tumor burden as well as the ramp-up and monitoring protocol to follow.

Try it now
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My biggest piece of advice…is to educate your team, educate your patients, and simply be prepared.
-Christina Patterson, PA-C, Cancer Care Associates of York, York, PA

Hear Christina Patterson, PA-C, discuss the steps for VENCLEXTA initiation.

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Video thumbnail - Christina Patterson VENCLEXTA initiation discussion
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3. Additional resources

Resources for you and your patients

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Financial, prior authorization, and ordering information

Learn about the support available for you and your patients

View programs
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Treatment guide

Get your copy of this comprehensive guide to VENCLEXTA treatment

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Patient calendar

Customizable VENCLEXTA calendar to help support patient adherence to therapy

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Educational resource for patients with CLL

Downloadable brochure for patients with previously untreated or R/R CLL

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Patient support

Learn about support for your patients throughout therapy

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Contact a representative

Get answers to your VENCLEXTA questions

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R/R=relapsed/refractory; CLL=chronic lymphocytic leukemia; 1L=first-line; TLS=tumor lysis syndrome.

Indication

  • VENCLEXTA is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL).

Important Safety Information

Contraindication

  • Concomitant use of VENCLEXTA with strong CYP3A inhibitors at initiation and during ramp-up phase is contraindicated in patients with CLL/SLL due to the potential for increased risk of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS).

Tumor Lysis Syndrome

  • Tumor lysis syndrome, including fatal events and renal failure requiring dialysis, has occurred in patients treated with VENCLEXTA.
  • VENCLEXTA can cause rapid reduction in tumor and thus poses a risk for TLS at initiation and during the ramp-up phase in all patients, and during reinitiation after dosage interruption in patients with CLL/SLL. Changes in blood chemistries consistent with TLS that require prompt management can occur as early as 6 to 8 hours following the first dose of VENCLEXTA and at each dose increase. TLS, including fatal cases, has been reported after a single 20 mg dose.
  • In patients with CLL/SLL who followed the current (5 week) dose ramp-up and the TLS prophylaxis and monitoring measures, the rate of TLS was 2% in the VENCLEXTA CLL/SLL monotherapy trials. The rate of TLS remained consistent with VENCLEXTA in combination with obinutuzumab or rituximab. With a 2- to 3-week dose ramp-up and higher starting dose in patients with CLL/SLL, the TLS rate was 13% and included deaths and renal failure.
  • The risk of TLS is a continuum based on multiple factors, particularly reduced renal function, tumor burden, and type of malignancy. Splenomegaly may also increase the risk of TLS in patients with CLL/SLL.
  • Assess all patients for risk and provide appropriate prophylaxis for TLS, including hydration and anti-hyperuricemics. Monitor blood chemistries and manage abnormalities promptly. Employ more intensive measures (IV hydration, frequent monitoring, hospitalization) as overall risk increases. Interrupt dosing if needed; when restarting VENCLEXTA follow dose modification guidance in the Prescribing Information.
  • Concomitant use of VENCLEXTA with P-gp inhibitors or strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitors increases venetoclax exposure, which may increase the risk of TLS at initiation and during the ramp-up phase, and requires VENCLEXTA dose reduction.

Neutropenia

  • In patients with CLL, Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia developed in 63% to 64% of patients and Grade 4 neutropenia developed in 31% to 33% of patients when treated with VENCLEXTA in combination and monotherapy studies. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 4% to 6% of patients.
  • Monitor complete blood counts. Interrupt dosing for severe neutropenia and resume at same or reduced dose. Consider supportive measures including antimicrobials and growth factors (e.g., G-CSF).

Infections

  • Fatal and serious infections such as pneumonia and sepsis have occurred in patients treated with VENCLEXTA. Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of infection and treat promptly. Withhold VENCLEXTA for Grade 3 and 4 infection until resolution and resume at same or reduced dose.

Immunization

  • Do not administer live attenuated vaccines prior to, during, or after treatment with VENCLEXTA until B-cell recovery occurs. Advise patients that vaccinations may be less effective.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

  • VENCLEXTA may cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 30 days after the last dose.

Increased Mortality in Patients with Multiple Myeloma when VENCLEXTA is Added to Bortezomib and Dexamethasone

  • In a randomized trial (BELLINI; NCT02755597) in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, the addition of VENCLEXTA to bortezomib plus dexamethasone, a use for which VENCLEXTA is not indicated, resulted in increased mortality. Treatment of patients with multiple myeloma with VENCLEXTA in combination with bortezomib plus dexamethasone is not recommended outside of controlled clinical trials.

Adverse Reactions

  • In patients with CLL receiving combination therapy with obinutuzumab, serious adverse reactions were most often due to febrile neutropenia and pneumonia (5% each). The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) of any grade were neutropenia (60%), diarrhea (28%), and fatigue (21%). Fatal adverse reactions that occurred in the absence of disease progression and with onset within 28 days of the last study treatment were reported in 2% (4/212) of patients, most often from infection.
  • In patients with CLL receiving combination therapy with rituximab, the most frequent serious adverse reaction (≥5%) was pneumonia (9%). The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) of any grade were neutropenia (65%), diarrhea (40%), upper respiratory tract infection (39%), fatigue (22%), and nausea (21%). Fatal adverse reactions that occurred in the absence of disease progression and within 30 days of the last VENCLEXTA treatment and/or 90 days of the last rituximab were reported in 2% (4/194) of patients.
  • In patients with CLL/SLL receiving monotherapy, the most frequent serious adverse reactions (≥5%) were pneumonia (9%), febrile neutropenia (5%), and sepsis (5%). The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) of any grade were neutropenia (50%), diarrhea (43%), nausea (42%), upper respiratory tract infection (36%), anemia (33%), fatigue (32%), thrombocytopenia (29%), musculoskeletal pain (29%), edema (22%), and cough (22%). Fatal adverse reactions that occurred in the absence of disease progression and within 30 days of venetoclax treatment were reported in 2% of patients in the VENCLEXTA monotherapy studies, most often (2 patients) from septic shock.

Drug Interactions

  • Concomitant use with a P-gp inhibitor or a strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitor increases VENCLEXTA exposure, which may increase VENCLEXTA toxicities, including the risk of TLS. Consider alternative medications or adjust VENCLEXTA dosage and monitor more frequently for adverse reactions. Resume the VENCLEXTA dosage that was used prior to concomitant use of a P-gp inhibitor or a strong or moderate CYP3A inhibitor 2 to 3 days after discontinuation of the inhibitor.
  • Patients should avoid grapefruit products, Seville oranges, and starfruit during treatment as they contain inhibitors of CYP3A.
  • Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A inducers.
  • Monitor international normalized ratio (INR) more frequently in patients receiving warfarin.
  • Avoid concomitant use of VENCLEXTA with a P-gp substrate. If concomitant use is unavoidable, separate dosing of the P-gp substrate at least 6 hours before VENCLEXTA.

Lactation

  • Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with VENCLEXTA and for 1 week after the last dose.

Females and Males of Reproductive Potential

  • Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with VENCLEXTA and for 30 days after the last dose.
  • Based on findings in animals, VENCLEXTA may impair male fertility.

Hepatic Impairment

  • Reduce the dose of VENCLEXTA for patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C); monitor these patients more frequently for adverse reactions. No dose adjustment is recommended for patients with mild (Child-Pugh A) or moderate (Child-Pugh B) hepatic impairment.

Please see full Prescribing Information.

VENCLEXTA®, VENCOMPASS® and their designs are registered trademarks of AbbVie Inc.
GAZYVA® is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.

    • VENCLEXTA Prescribing Information.

      VENCLEXTA Prescribing Information.

    • Fischer K, Al-Sawaf O, Bahlo J, et al. Venetoclax and obinutuzumab in patients with CLL and coexisting conditions. N Engl J Med. 2019;380(23):2225-2236.

      Fischer K, Al-Sawaf O, Bahlo J, et al. Venetoclax and obinutuzumab in patients with CLL and coexisting conditions. N Engl J Med. 2019;380(23):2225-2236.

    • GAZYVA Prescribing Information, January 2021.

      GAZYVA Prescribing Information, January 2021.

    • Data on file, AbbVie Inc. ABVRRTI69608.

      Data on file, AbbVie Inc. ABVRRTI69608.

    • Fischer K, Al-Sawaf O, Bahlo J, et al. Venetoclax and obinutuzumab in patients with CLL and coexisting conditions. N Engl J Med. 2019;380(23)(suppl):2225-2236.

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      Seymour JF, Kipps TJ, Eichhorst B, et al. Venetoclax–rituximab in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. N Engl J Med. 2018;378(12):1107-1120.

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      Seymour JF, Kipps TJ, Eichhorst B, et al. Venetoclax–rituximab in relapsed or refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia. N Engl J Med. 2018;378(12)(suppl):1107-1120.

    • Data on file, AbbVie Inc. ABVRRTI69609.

      Data on file, AbbVie Inc. ABVRRTI69609.

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      Seymour JF, Kipps TJ, Eichhorst B, et al. Four-year analysis of MURANO study confirms sustained benefit of time-limited venetoclax-rituximab (VenR) in relapsed/refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Presented at: 61st American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition; December 7-10, 2019; Orlando, FL.

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      Al-Sawaf O, Zhang C, Robrecht S, et al. Venetoclax-obinutuzumab for previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia: 5-year results of the randomized CLL14 study. Abstract presented at: European Hematology Association Congress 2022; June 9-17, 2022.

    • Data on file, AbbVie Inc. ABVRRTI71322.

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      Seymour JF, Kipps TJ, Eichhorst B, et al. Four-year analysis of MURANO study confirms sustained benefit of time-limited venetoclax–rituximab (VenR) in relapsed/refractory (R/R) chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Presented at: 61st American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition; December 7-10, 2019; Orlando, FL.

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