Upset stomach on 400 mgm Ventoclax

[GreyB]

Just over 2 weeks ago my Ventoclax was increased to to full 400 mgms per day. Since then I have experienced indegestion, acid reflux heartburn and general stomach upset. Has anyone else experienced this and does your body eventually get used to the increase dosage and go back to normal? My blood results are looking good so could be far worse.

[Jooby59]

I have been on Venetoclax since July and my stomach hasn’t been the same since! I cured the nausea by changing the time of the tablets to before bedtime after my evening meal but some days my stomach & digestion is way out of control. It is certainly far less frequent now - last week I had no problems at all. My consultant prescribed Loperamide (Imodium) for the days when I cannot be more than a few feet from the loo 🙈and they work well. I also get a bloated stomach, cramps and, very embarrassingly, loud wind! Still, after the side effects of Ibrutinib which I took for nine months these are minor and manageable - I am now in remission. I hope your symptoms ease too and I am sure they will. Good luck. x

[GreyB]

Thanks for that Jooby. Luckily I have not had problems with the Ibrutinib so guess I cannot complain too much. Re the loud wind Billy Connolly once said 'never trust a fart'! I now live my life by that advice.

[Jooby59 in reply to GreyB]

🤣

[Fowey2009]

My husband always takes his 400mg after a good size breakfast without a problem. He had to stop recently and then got a message mid morning yesterday from his consultant to start taking them again - as a result he had stomach pains. So for him taking them close to food seems to work.

[GreyB in reply to Fowey2009]

Thank you for your reply. I think I will try increasing my breakfast to see if that helps.

[Pete9876]

I was on Venetaclax for over 1.5 years. I initially had stomach issues similar to yours, but if I took the pills while eating a good size breakfast I found that it helped resolve many of the stomach problems. Also having breakfast foods high in fat really helped, such as bacon, sausages, etc.

[Smakwater]

GreyB,

I did get nausea with venetoclax, however, I started taking the venetoclax between dinner and bedtime which was the answer for me. I would eat around 7:00 PM, take venetoclax about 8:00 PM, and bed time was between 9:30 PM and 10:30 PM.

I also had acid reflux disease prior to venetoclax, which did get worse because, I was taken off of omepresole. The doctor determined that their was no drug interaction risk, and allowed me to take omepresole which stopped the acid reflux.

JM

[GreyB in reply to Smakwater]

Thanks for that

The instructions say to take within 30 minutes of breakfast but would assume as long as you take them at a regular time would be OK. I will certainly give it a go.

I have also taken omerprasol but my GP reduced the dosage to 10 mgm per day saying a stronger dose long term could cause problems

Thanks for your reply RD

[Smakwater]

I agree with your perspective, and confirm that I also worked directly with the doctor when changing schedules or adding other medicines/supplements. I was allowed 20mg omeprezole.

Good of you to point that out!

JM

[GreyB]

Thanks for that extra advice👍

[Ellieoak]

Dear GreyB, I take Venteclax in the evening. We eat dinner kinda late about 8, so I take mine at 10-11. Never had a problem. Hope you can find out what is causing the problem. Stay safe, Anna

[Titchydog]

I completed 10/12 cycles before the decision to stop treatment due to Diarrhoea, no appetite and no energy. I am now 4 weeks off treatment and not feeling any better. I contacted my GP and now undergoing further investigation for my stomach problems.