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Venclexta (also known by its drug name, venetoclax) is an oral medication taken once daily as a tablet. It belongs to a class of drugs called BCL-2 inhibitors — the first of its kind.

Here's how it works: healthy cells naturally self-destruct when they become old or abnormal. Some leukemia cells resist this process and keep Show Full Answer

Venclexta (also known by its drug name, venetoclax) is an oral medication taken once daily as a tablet. It belongs to a class of drugs called BCL-2 inhibitors — the first of its kind.

Here's how it works: healthy cells naturally self-destruct when they become old or abnormal. Some leukemia cells resist this process and keep growing. Venclexta blocks the BCL-2 protein that allows cancer cells to dodge self-destruction, essentially telling those cells it's time to go. Venclexta is FDA-approved to treat:

- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) in adults
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults aged 75 or older, or those for whom other treatments aren't suitable

It can be taken alone or combined with other treatments, depending on the type and stage of leukemia. It's important to be aware of some key side effects:

- Common: fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, cough, cold/flu symptoms, muscle or joint pain, swelling, and low blood cell counts
- Serious (rare): tumor lysis syndrome — this happens when Venclexta kills many cancer cells at once, releasing their contents into the bloodstream and potentially affecting the kidneys

Because of this risk, some people may need to be monitored closely, or even hospitalized, when first starting the medication or increasing the dose. Always follow your care team's guidance closely.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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Venclexta