Venetoclax and acid reflux?

[Atds]

Hi - I’ve been taking venetoclax for 8 months and recently have been having what feels like acid reflux. Has anyone else had this problem? If it is acid reflux, what do you take for it? I’m afraid to take anything because apparently most drugs out there for reflux block absorption.

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

Atds, since you say "Feels like acid reflux", you must not have had it looked into by either your PC/GP (don't know it what country you are). The best practice would be to do that first--hopefully get referral to Gastroenterologist to check out your esophagus and be the one to give you a diagnosis as well as a prescription if needed. Also, please keep your CLL Dr. aware of any possible prescription to be sure it is not contraindicated.

I know there are over-the-counter possibilities for reflux, but you are taking a CLL medication that can give you a good remission over time and to mess with anything not Dr. ok'd and prescribed could be adverse to the hopeful outcome.

Let us know what you find out about your situation.

[Motoli]

My wife went into V+O treatment about 10 mo ago. She already had GER. During treatment, she has been taking famotidine (ranitidine is out) with very good results, but occassional bouts of GER. Seemingly, she has tolerated V very well.

Your primary doctor may recommends simple measures such as spacing of meals, sleep angle etc, which may help you.

Cheers.

[janvog]

Whenever I feel a hint of gastric to throat discomfort, I eat a small, spoon-size bit of Swiss cheese. Possibly the calcium and the cheese bacteria counter the problem.

[LeoPa]

Can it be unrelated to the drug? It would have caused it sooner if venetoclax was the culprit? I used to have reflux problems and dietary change solved the problem. Can you experiment and try to find out whether it's not something you eat that's causing it?