hypertension and stroke on acalabrutinib

[Belkin123]

I had high blood pressure on acalabrutinib and a stroke two weeks ago.

anybody in community experienced this terrible side effects?

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Belkin123,

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We are sorry to hear of your recent problems, and hope you can recover completely from the stroke. I trust you are getting support with Physical and Occupational Therapy professionals.@

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I recall past clinical trial results that showed Acalabrutinib caused fewer heart problems than Ibrutinib, but still had some.

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There are a few past postings you might find useful:

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

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Len

[Belkin123 in reply to lankisterguy]

Thank you, Len for your always relevant comments. I was two years on acalabrutinib, and my blood results were approaching to normal. WBC from 200k to 11k Hgb from 10 to 15, platelets from 100k to 250k. I did not have side effects or infection, and I was feeling more or less ok.,according to my age 77yo. I did not have heart problems or any pains, but my blood pressure was constantly high, sometimes reaching 190/100. I was prescribed medications like amlodipin and others but, honestly, I was not very adherent about it. Till it happened on December 20 . I was admitted to emergency room, had MRI and MRA done, which showed a left pontine stroke. I did not lose any cognition or speech, but it effected my right leg. I still can walk very slowly at home, but I lost my strength in a leg, and my ability to walk usually 2 miles a day. I am improving somewhat with the help of physical therapist, but it will never be the same. They put me now on Plavix, Lipitor and Losartan and I will have an appointment with my hematologist next week.. .I will update you later. To everybody who is reading this, watch your blood pressure and take your meds vigorously.

Best wishes and happy New year to all.

Belkin.

[Fran57 in reply to Belkin123]

I’m so sorry to hear of your stroke… my brother had a stroke at 46, so I know how debilitating it can be , BUT, if you get all the help and support and are determined to improve (and it sounds like you are 💪) I’m sure things will get better !

Wishing you very well!

Fran 😉

[helenolton]

So sorry.

[Belkin123 in reply to helenolton]

thank you

[LeoPa]

They call high blood pressure the silent killer. I'm glad you escaped and will take your meds very vigorously from now on. Probably no lasting stroke effects and you will slowly recover and get better.

[Belkin123]

thank you

[virdieblue]

I had hypertension on Ibrutinib. For a while I was on 3 antihypertensives. I relapsed on Ibr and am now on Ventoclax. On Venetoclax I have had a stroke. Cause? Effect? Are the other medications I'm on contribute? Wish I could figure it out.

Virginia

[Belkin123 in reply to virdieblue]

thank you

[Vizilo]

I have had high blood pressure since I was in my teens (60 years ago) but I have been religious about taking meds all that time. I started Acalabrutinib 2 years ago, and if anything, my blood pressure is lower now. The key, as LeoPa pointed out, is to take your blood pressure medication consistently.

I did have an isolated afib event 10 days ago. There were no symptoms except the feeling of an irregular heartbeat in my throat. I went to Emergency at the local hospital just to be sure. The afib stopped on its own (paroxysmal) within 5 hours. According to the ER physician, it might be hard to pin down the cause - dehydration, caffeine, stress, meds or combination of meds among other things. In any event, he strongly suggested taking an anti-coagulant, Eliquis, to make sure that any potential future afib does not result in a stroke.

For those with hypertension, please take your prescribed meds regularly and consistently.

[Belkin123 in reply to Vizilo]

what meds are you taking to lower BP? Thank you.

[Vizilo in reply to Belkin123]

I’m on an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic- a two-in one drug called Coversyl Plus.

[Belkin123 in reply to Vizilo]

thanks. I am taking lozartan, but BP is still high.

[Vizilo in reply to Belkin123]

There are tons of different types of blood pressure meds. Your physician should be trying different types, combinations and dosages until your blood pressure is in an acceptable range

[MovingForward4423]

I had hypertension from Ibrutinib, but my blood pressure was low due to fitness before treatment, so mine increased to levels that were very manageable without drugs. However, after getting a bacterial infection that pushed me into Tachycardia, a side effect of Ibritinib made it worse and it was difficult to get my heart rate back down. It was later discovered I had a SVT, and it was lucky it was not a VT or I would be dead. I have stopped Ibrutinib and remain in remission, but my consultant has mentioned Zanabrutinib as the next drug of choice.

[Belkin123 in reply to MovingForward4423]

thanks, I will try

[Belkin123]

thanks