Hello,
I will be starting my obinutuzumab and Venetoclax treatment soon. I thought they were taken separately. Has anyone that has had or is going through treatment taken them together? Or does it just depend on individual protocol? For some reason, I thought it was 6 months of Obinutuzumab then the Venetoclax. How have your treatments been going?!!! Thx in advance! Sylvia
Hi Silvia / filmcaptive1,
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The most common sequence is to have 4 infusions of Gazyva (Obinutuzumab) in the first 15 days and start Venetoclax (Venclexta) on day 22. Then Venclexta ramps up from 20 mg to 400 mg over the next 5 weeks, while G (O) is once per month. See: venclextahcp.com/cll/dosing...
and the diagram below.
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If you are interested in other member's experiences, please look for the box on this page labeled: Related Posts
*Update on V + O treatment
*Treatment (V+O) update
*Started Treatment (O + V)
*Short pause in V+O treatment
*Working while on treatment O&V
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Len
Thank you! Very helpful.
I will be taking round three of Gazyva on Monday. I am now on my second week of full dose of Venclexta. It has been a breeze overall. I feel great work full-time. I'm not tired or nauseous. I still have asked a lot of questions on here and am trying to get over my own anxiety of this CLL thing. Feel free to ask me anything or any of the amazing people in this group.
Thx so much! Will do.
I finished my Obinituzamab infusions in July and end my Venetoclax in February. I had an infusion reaction with my first infusion which is not unusual. The rest of my infusions had no issues. The only problem I have had with the therapy is Neutropenia a few times. They postponed my infusions for a week twice and stopped my Venetoclax for a week to let my numbers get higher. In June I had to get three Neuprogen shots to get my numbers back up. My WBC was down to 1,000 and my neutrophils we're down to .15. I would do this treatment again without having to think about it. If I get the chance after a long enough remission, this will be my next treatment unless something else comes along that is better.
Wow! Thx Dexter!!! Feeling a lot less nervous!!!!
Hi Dexterdoggg , thanks for the info ..Glad to hear you do well with the v&o ... i am still on O ... i am wondering if your platelets were low or the venetoclax made you anemic .. what was your hemoglin and platelet counts when you started the V ?? blessings , james
Hello James. When I started the Venetoclax my hemoglobin and platelets were fine. Actually when I started the Obinituzamab my numbers didn't really call for treatment to start. I was having enlarged spleen and liver issues that made eating difficult at times. When I started the Venetoclax, numbers were hemoglobin 14.7 and platelets 215. Right now with about a month and a half to go with the Venetoclax, my hemoglobin is 15.7 and my platelets are a little low at 130. We are watching my platelets, but they aren't low enough to change my dosage right now and probably won't be changed unless there is a big drop when my blood tests are done in a couple of weeks.
thanks for the quick response ... my platelets are 44 they were 19 after stopping the calquence 4 months ago .. my hemoglobin is up to 12.2 was 6.4 .. so not to good yet but much better then before the gazyva .... i don't imagine i will get to start the venetoclax next week untill my bone marrow recovers more ... my white blood cell count is 2.8 total ... hope you continue to do well. james
Yes I am in a trial with both medications and although it is time consuming and annoying... very well tolerated. Any questions let me know!
Also, I am done with the Obin now and just on pills, so end is in sight ! I agree with comments above, if I had to do this combo together again, I would.
Thx so much! What were the premeds they gave you before 1st infusion? They are giving me steroids, benadryl and one other...antibiotic I believe. But I also have to take Valtrex, another antibiotic 3x a week and a 3rd that escapes me for infections. How long did your infusions take each time? Thx again!
I just had my third round of Gazyva. They give me two Tylenol, steroid and Benadryl. I wait 45 minutes then they start infusion. The first one was very slow, now I am there about 4 hrs total. I get blood work 2 days prior to infusion. I have had zero effects from the O or Venclexta. Best of luck to you. Other than the infusion day, I live a total normal life. I have more energy than I have in years. I do have anxiety if I dwell to much about having CLL. It is getting much better now though.
They only did steroids that first time, then they just do the IV fluids and the benedryl. and 2 tylenol. They didn't give antibiotics
As far as time, typically i'd say 8 hours from soup to nuts but that doesn't always happen.... because for example
8am - you are in lab to get blood draw
10:00 - you are at treatment suite waiting room.. (NP can see you in your cubby 
10:30 you are in cubby ready to go if you are lucky! Nurse waits for meds to get their from pharmacy... then infusion starts
Fluid and benedryl infusions take about 1.5 hours
Let's say infusion starts at 12:30, it's typically a 4 hour infusion if all is well.. so now you are at 4:30
After infusions you stay for 1 hour and then they take your blood test, and wait for results from lab.... so best case you are out at 6p... worst case 8p ish
Keep in mind, I was in a trial and maybe they are stricter with timing and all the blood tests also as time goes by it gets smoother. My last infusion was awful though and mostly it's the lab that has the long delays. Sad - so many cancer patients. i've been there sometimes from 730 a to 830 p!
Bring along: cozy blanket (they have them but nothing like yours)... ear phones, entertainment, slippers, lots of food and snacks, water bottle and a flexible mindset!
Thx a TON!! SO HELPFUL!!
I have 2 O treatments left. Just before last infusion, Doc cutdown the amount of Benadryl and steroids that are given. made my recovery easier. taking 400mg of V each day. I would do it again if I had to.
Thank you! Just completed 2nd treatment today. No issues whatsoever, better than yesterday.
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