Calquence is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for certain blood cancers, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Calquence contains the active ingredient acalabrutinib.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Calquence to treat the following types of cancer in adults:

Drug details

You’ll find key information about Calquence below.

  • Drug class: kinase inhibitor
  • Drug form: oral tablet
  • Generic available? no
  • Prescription required? yes
  • Controlled substance? no
  • Year of FDA approval: 2017
  • Accelerated approval? yes, for MCL

Calquence is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Calquence can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Calquence. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

For more information on the possible side effects of Calquence, see this article. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to deal with any side effects that may be bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to report to the FDA a side effect you’ve had with Calquence, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Mild side effects of Calquence can include:*

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Calquence. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or visit Calquence’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Calquence aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

Other serious side effects, explained in more detail below in “Side effect details,” include:

Side effect details

You may wonder how often certain side effects occur with this drug. Here’s some detail on some of the side effects this drug may cause.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Calquence. It’s not known how many people had an allergic reaction to Calquence in clinical trials.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have a severe allergic reaction to Calquence. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Blood disorders

Blood disorders may develop during Calquence use. These blood disorders include changes in the levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets (cells that help your blood to clot).

Low level of white blood cells

Your white blood cells are part of your immune system, and they help keep bacteria, viruses, and other germs from causing infections. Calquence can cause the level of some white blood cells to become too low.

One possible side effect of Calquence is neutropenia (a low level of white blood cells called neutrophils). Another possible side effect is lymphopenia, which is also called lymphocytopenia. (This is a low level of white blood cells called lymphocytes.)

In clinical trials of Calquence for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), neutropenia and lymphopenia were reported. In people who took Calquence for CLL, neutropenia occurred more often when Calquence was used in combination with obinutuzumab (Gazyva) than when it was used alone. It’s unknown whether lymphopenia occurred more often in people with CLL who took Calquence with other drugs compared with people who took Calquence alone.

Note that small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is considered a type of CLL, and Calquence was approved to treat SLL based on the results of clinical trials of people with CLL. The rates of neutropenia or lymphopenia in people who took Calquence for SLL are expected to be similar to those in people who took the drug in the CLL studies.

Symptoms of a low level of white blood cells can include fever, abdominal pain, trouble breathing, and chills.

High level of white blood cells

Lymphocytosis (a high level of white blood cells known as lymphocytes) can occur with Calquence. This side effect was reported in clinical trials of Calquence for MCL and CLL.

Symptoms of lymphocytosis include swollen lymph nodes and dull pain in the upper left of the abdomen.

Low level of red blood cells

Another blood disorder that may develop with Calquence use is anemia (a low level of red blood cells). This side effect was reported in clinical trials of Calquence for MCL and CLL. In these trials, some people developed severe anemia.

Red blood cells are important in helping carry oxygen throughout your body. So if you have low levels of them, you may feel tired or weak. Symptoms of anemia can include tiredness, skin that’s paler than usual, and headache.

Low level of platelets

Calquence may also cause thrombocytopenia (a low level of platelets). Platelets are cells that help clot your blood when you get a cut so that you don’t keep bleeding.

Thrombocytopenia was reported in clinical trials of Calquence for MCL and CLL. In these trials, some people developed thrombocytopenia that was considered serious. In people who took Calquence for CLL, thrombocytopenia occurred more often when Calquence was used in combination with another drug called obinutuzumab.

Symptoms of a low platelet level can include bruising more easily than usual, nosebleeds, and bleeding from cuts that lasts longer than usual.

Steps your doctor may take

During your Calquence treatment, your doctor will test your blood to look for low levels of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. If you do develop decreased levels of these blood cells, your doctor may lower your dose of Calquence or stop your treatment.

You may also experience a high level of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) in your blood. If you do develop an increase in the level of lymphocytes, your doctor will monitor your blood work more closely while on Calquence treatment.

Infections

Infections are a side effect that may occur with Calquence. This side effect was reported in clinical trials of Calquence for CLL.

Note that SLL is considered a type of CLL, and Calquence was approved to treat SLL based on the results of clinical trials of people with CLL. The rates of infection in people who took Calquence for SLL are expected to be similar to those in people who took the drug in the CLL studies.

No infections were reported in people who took Calquence for MCL.

Serious infections

The most common type of serious infection that occurred was respiratory tract infection, including pneumonia.

Other infections

It’s also possible to develop other, less common, infections while you’re taking Calquence. This includes certain types of viral infections, such as hepatitis B reactivation, or bacterial or fungal infections, such as pneumonia.

It’s important to note that hepatitis B reactivation is a risk only if you have a history of hepatitis B. In this case, taking Calquence may reactivate the virus that causes this condition, meaning it may make hepatitis B come back.

If you’re at a high risk of developing these less common infections, your doctor may have you take other medications during your Calquence treatment. This is meant to help decrease your risk of these infections.

Symptoms of infections

If you develop any symptoms of infections, such as trouble breathing, fever, cough, or decreased energy, talk with your doctor. They’ll be able to determine whether your infection is serious and whether you should keep taking Calquence. In some cases, they may decrease your dose or have you stop taking the medication until your infection gets better.

Major bleeding

Calquence use may increase the risk of bleeding. This side effect was reported in clinical trials of Calquence for MCL and CLL. Major bleeding may also occur. This is serious bleeding that, in rare cases, can be fatal.

Note that SLL is considered a type of CLL, and Calquence was approved to treat SLL based on the results of studies of people with CLL. The rates of bleeding in people who took Calquence for SLL are expected to be similar to those in people who took the drug in the CLL studies.

Calquence and blood thinners

Taking Calquence along with medications to help prevent blood clots may also increase your risk of major bleeding. In clinical trials of Calquence, people who took Calquence and a blood thinning medication had a slightly higher risk of serious bleeding compared with people who took Calquence alone.

If you have any symptoms of bleeding while using Calquence, see a doctor right away. These symptoms include blood in your stool or vomiting blood. They can indicate serious bleeding and may be an emergency.

Secondary cancers

It’s possible to develop a secondary cancer with Calquence. A secondary cancer is a cancer that’s not related to the cancer you’re taking Calquence to treat.

In clinical trials of Calquence, the most common type of secondary cancer that occurred was skin cancer.

While taking Calquence, tell your doctor if you have any new lumps or moles on your skin. Also mention if you have a mole that’s changing shape or color. They’ll be able to determine whether the lump or mole should be removed.

To reduce your risk of skin cancer while taking Calquence, you should also protect yourself from the sun. This includes wearing sunscreen and a hat while outside.

If you have any questions about secondary cancers and Calquence, talk with your doctor.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Calquence to treat certain conditions.

Calquence for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)

Calquence is FDA-approved to treat CLL and SLL in adults.

CLL and SLL explained

CLL is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells in your bone marrow (the tissue inside bones). These cells begin to grow abnormally and don’t work as they should in your body. Eventually, the cancer cells move from your bone marrow into your blood. CLL is a very slow growing cancer. It’s the most common type of leukemia that occurs in adults.

SLL is very similar to CLL. But with SLL, the majority of the abnormal white blood cells are in your lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are part of your immune system, which helps you fight infections.

To learn more about these conditions, refer to our leukemia hub or this list of lymphoma articles.

Effectiveness

Calquence was an effective medication in clinical trials to treat CLL. There were two different trials that looked at Calquence in people with CLL.

Note that SLL is considered a type of CLL, and Calquence was approved to treat SLL based on the results of clinical trials of people with CLL.

CLL that hadn’t been treated before

The first trial involved people with CLL who had never been treated for their cancer before. Researchers tested Calquence alone, Calquence along with obinutuzumab (Gazyva), and obinutuzumab along with chlorambucil (Leukeran).

Researchers measured response to treatment, which means the cancer either got better or went away completely after treatment. Researchers found that most people responded to treatment regardless of which of the three drug regimens they followed. However, people taking Calquence with obinutuzumab had the highest response to treatment.

CLL that had been treated before

A second trial looked at people with CLL that came back or got worse after a different treatment. Some people took Calquence, and other people took idelalisib (Zydelig) or bendamustine (Treanda) along with rituximab (Rituxan). The results showed that people who took Calquence had the highest response to treatment compared with the other drugs. However, most people in the trial responded to treatment regardless of which drug regimen they followed.

Calquence for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)

Calquence is FDA-approved to treat MCL. For this use, you must have already tried at least one other medication to treat your MCL.

Calquence received accelerated approval from the FDA for this use based on the overall response rate. This is the percentage of people who had fewer or no signs of MCL after their treatment.

The FDA usually approves drugs after extensive studies have been done. But in certain cases, as with Calquence, the FDA gives approval before all the studies are completed.

Some conditions don’t have many proven treatments. So the FDA may give accelerated approval for certain medications to treat those conditions. In this case, people with MCL don’t have many treatment options if they’ve already tried at least one other medication for the condition.

After more clinical trials of Calquence for MCL have been done, the FDA may give the drug full approval.

MCL explained

MCL is a fast-growing type of cancer that affects your white blood cells. Specifically, it’s a kind of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. MCL occurs when your white blood cells begin to grow abnormally and reproduce quickly. These abnormal cells are usually found in your lymph nodes, bone marrow, digestive tract, and blood.

To learn more about these conditions, refer to this list of lymphoma articles.

Effectiveness

Results from a clinical trial show that Calquence is an effective medication to treat MCL.

The people in this study had tried at least one previous treatment for MCL. In the study, most people who took Calquence to treat their MCL had a response to the medication. This means that their cancer either got better or went away completely after treatment with Calquence.

Researchers didn’t compare Calquence with a different medication or a placebo (treatment with no active drug). So it’s not known how much better or worse people may have responded to other treatments.

As with all medications, the cost of Calquence can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

It’s important to note that you may have to get Calquence at a specialty pharmacy. This type of pharmacy is authorized to carry specialty medications. These are drugs that may be expensive or may require help from healthcare professionals to be used safely and effectively.

Before approving coverage for Calquence, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide whether the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure whether you’ll need to get prior authorization for Calquence, contact your insurance company.

Drug coupons

To save money on your Calquence prescription, explore the Optum Perks coupons below.

You can visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Calquence. These estimates are based on the use of Optum Perks coupons. Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

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Retail price refers to the manufacturer’s published list price and is up to date as of 3/2023. Retail and discounted prices are U.S.-only and can vary based on region and pharmacy. We cannot guarantee that the discounted price listed here will exactly match the price at your pharmacy. Please contact your pharmacy for the exact price.

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Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Calquence, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help may be available.

AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, the manufacturer of Calquence, offers two programs that may help save on the cost of the drug: the Calquence Co-Pay Savings Program and the AstraZeneca Access 360 program. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 844-275-2360 or visit these websites.

Generic version

Calquence isn’t available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Other drugs are available that can treat your mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Calquence, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Note: Some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat one condition is used to treat a different condition.

Alternatives for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat CLL or SLL include:

Alternatives for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat MCL include:

  • bendamustine (Treanda)
  • bortezomib (Velcade)
  • venetoclax (Venclexta)
  • ofatumumab (Arzerra)
  • doxorubicin
  • vincristine
  • cyclophosphamide
  • ibrutinib (Imbruvica)

You may wonder how Calquence compares with other medications that are prescribed for similar uses. Here we look at how Calquence and Imbruvica are alike and different.

Ingredients

The active ingredient in Calquence is acalabrutinib. The active ingredient in Imbruvica is ibrutinib.

Uses

The Food and Drug Administration has approved both Calquence and Imbruvica to treat the following types of cancer in adults:

In addition, Imbruvica is approved to treat:

In addition, Calquence is approved to treat mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)* in adults who have already tried at least one other medication to treat MCL.

* Calquence received accelerated approval from the FDA for this use based on the overall response rate. This is the percentage of people who had fewer or no signs of MCL after their treatment. After more clinical trials of Calquence for MCL have been done, the FDA may give the drug full approval.

Drug forms and administration

Calquence comes as an oral tablet. Imbruvica comes as an oral capsule, oral tablet, or an oral suspension.

Side effects and risks

Calquence and Imbruvica both treat some of the same types of cancer. Therefore, these medications can cause very similar side effects, but some different ones as well. Below are examples of these side effects.

Mild side effects

These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with Calquence, with Imbruvica, or with both drugs (when taken individually).

Serious side effects

These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Calquence, with Imbruvica, or with both drugs (when taken individually).

Effectiveness

Calquence and Imbruvica have different FDA-approved uses, but they’re both used to treat CLL and SLL.

These drugs haven’t been directly compared in clinical trials, but studies have found both Calquence and Imbruvica to be effective for treating CLL and SLL.

In addition, a clinical trial is currently comparing Calquence and Imbruvica in people with CLL that has already been treated with another medication. Final data analysis is still underway. There are no results reporting the effectiveness of Calquence compared with Imbruvica.

Costs

Calquence and Imbruvica are both brand-name drugs. There are currently no generic forms of either drug. Brand-name medications usually cost more than generics.

The actual price you’ll pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Visit Optum Perks to find coupons and savings for Calquence and Imbruvica.

Like Imbruvica (above), the drug Venclexta has uses similar to those of Calquence. Here’s a comparison of how Calquence and Venclexta are alike and different.

Ingredients

The active ingredient in Calquence is acalabrutinib. The active ingredient in Venclexta is venetoclax.

Uses

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved both Calquence and Venclexta to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) in adults.

Calquence is also approved to treat mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)* in adults who have already tried at least one other medication to treat the MCL.

In addition, Venclexta is approved to treat a certain form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults ages 75 years and older or adults who can’t have standard chemotherapy.

* Calquence received accelerated approval from the FDA for this use based on the overall response rate. This is the percentage of people who had fewer or no signs of MCL after their treatment. After more clinical trials of Calquence for MCL have been done, the FDA may give the drug full approval.

Drug forms and administration

Calquence comes as an oral tablet. Venclexta also comes as an oral tablet.

Side effects and risks

Calquence and Venclexta both contain medications to treat CLL and SLL. Therefore, these medications can cause very similar side effects, but some different ones as well. Below are examples of these side effects.

Mild side effects

These lists contain up to 10 of the most common mild side effects that can occur with Calquence, with Venclexta, or with both drugs (when taken individually).

Serious side effects

These lists contain examples of serious side effects that can occur with Calquence, with Venclexta, or with both drugs (when taken individually).

Effectiveness

Calquence and Venclexta have different FDA-approved uses, but they’re both used to treat CLL and SLL.

These drugs haven’t been directly compared in clinical trials, but studies have found both Calquence and Venclexta to be effective for treating CLL and SLL.

Ongoing clinical trials

In addition, these drugs are being tested to be used together in some cases. A clinical trial is in progress to look at the combination of Calquence and Venclexta to treat CLL that hasn’t been treated before.

There’s also a clinical trial that’s looking at the use of both Calquence and Venclexta in the treatment of CLL or SLL that hasn’t responded to another medication or has come back after treatment. In this study, both medications are being used together, either with or without the addition of obinutuzumab (Gazyva).

Although Venclexta isn’t currently approved to treat MCL, there is a clinical trial that is looking at the use of this drug for this cancer. Researchers are testing Venclexta and Calquence together to treat MCL in people for whom another treatment didn’t work.

Costs

Calquence and Venclexta are both brand-name drugs. There are currently no generic forms of either drug. Brand-name medications usually cost more than generics.

The actual price you’ll pay for either drug depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

The Calquence dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • other medications that you are taking
  • side effects such as bleeding or a decreased level of red or white blood cells
  • other medical conditions you may have

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

For additional information about Calquence’s dosage than what is presented here, see this article.

Drug forms and strengths

Calquence comes as an oral tablet. It’s available in one strength: 100 mg.

Calquence used to only come as an oral capsule. However, the manufacturer switched to the tablet form and has discontinued the capsule form.

Dosage for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL)

The dosage for chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma is usually one tablet every 12 hours.

Typically, you’ll keep taking Calquence until your doctor recommends that you stop treatment. This may be because you develop side effects from the drug or it’s no longer working to treat your cancer.

In some cases, if you have CLL or SLL that hasn’t been treated before, you may take Calquence along with obinutuzumab (Gazyva). If you’re using both medications, be sure to take Calquence before you receive obinutuzumab. Obinutuzumab is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional. An infusion is an injection into a vein that’s given over a set time.

In some cases, your doctor may have you take a smaller dose of Calquence. Factors that may affect your dosage include having liver problems, such as hepatitis B, or taking other medications that may interact with Calquence. Talk with your doctor about the best dose for you to treat your CLL or SLL.

Dosage for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)

The dosage for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is one tablet every 12 hours.

Usually, you’ll keep taking Calquence until your doctor recommends that you stop treatment. This may be because you develop side effects from the drug or it’s no longer working to treat your cancer.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss your dose of Calquence by more than 3 hours, skip taking that dose and have your next dose at the regular time. Never take two doses at once to try to make up for a missed dose. This can be very dangerous because you could get too much medication at once.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. A medication timer may be useful, too.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

Calquence is meant to be used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Calquence is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term. But if you develop side effects from the drug or it’s no longer working to treat your cancer, your doctor may have you stop using Calquence.

Calquence is approved to be used along with obinutuzumab (Gazyva) to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) that hasn’t been treated already. For more information on taking these two medications together, see the “Calquence dosage” section above.

If you’re at high risk of infection, your doctor may have you take medications to help prevent bacterial, viral, or fungal infections while taking Calquence. Talk with your doctor about your risk of developing infections and whether you need medications to help avoid them.

There’s no known interaction between Calquence and alcohol. However, if you’re taking Calquence and obinutuzumab (Gazyva) to treat your chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), you should avoid alcohol. This is because both alcohol and obinutuzumab can decrease your blood pressure, and the combination can be dangerous.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor before you start taking Calquence. They’ll be able to tell you whether alcohol is safe for you and how much you can drink.

Calquence can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase the number of side effects or make them more severe.

For additional information on Calquence’s interactions than what is described below, refer to this article.

Calquence and other medications

Below are some medications that can interact with Calquence. This section doesn’t contain all drugs that may interact with Calquence.

Before taking Calquence, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Calquence and CYP3A4 inhibitors

Your body breaks down Calquence using an enzyme in your liver called CYP3A4. (An enzyme is a protein that aids chemical changes in your body.) However, other medications may block this enzyme from working properly. This can cause you to have too much Calquence in your body, which may increase your risk of side effects or overdose. (To learn more, see the “Calquence side effects” section above and the “Calquence overdose” section below.)

Drugs known as CYP3A4 inhibitors can be strong or moderate. You should not take strong CYP3A4 inhibitors, such as itraconazole (Tolsura, Sporanox), while you’re taking Calquence. But in some cases, you may need to take a strong CYP3A4 medication for a short period of time. Your doctor may have you stop taking Calquence until you’re done taking the other medication.

If you need to take a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor while you’re using Calquence, your doctor may decrease your dose of Calquence while you’re using the other medication. This should help prevent any side effects from having too much Calquence in your body.

Before using Calquence, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about any other medications that you take. They’ll be able to determine whether these drugs are CYP3A4 inhibitors and whether they’ll affect your treatment with Calquence.

Calquence and CYP3A4 inducers

Your body breaks down Calquence using an enzyme in your liver called CYP3A4. Some other medications can make this enzyme work more quickly than usual. This means that your body will break down Calquence too quickly, and you may not get enough medication.

You should avoid taking Calquence along with drugs known as strong CYP3A4 inducers, such as rifampin (Rimactane). This is because these medications can cause your body to break down Calquence too quickly, and you may not get enough Calquence to treat your cancer. If you need to take a medication that’s a strong CYP3A4 inducer, your doctor may increase your dose of Calquence. This helps ensure that you get enough medication to treat your condition.

Before taking Calquence, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about any medications that you’re using. They’ll be able to determine whether any of these drugs are strong CYP3A4 inducers and adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Calquence and herbs and supplements

Calquence can interact with the herbal supplement St. John’s wort, which some people use for depression and other conditions. Taking Calquence with this herbal supplement can make Calquence less effective.

Tell your doctor if you take St. John’s wort before starting Calquence treatment. They can tell you whether it’s safe to take them together.

Calquence and foods

There aren’t any foods that have been specifically reported to interact with Calquence. If you have any questions about eating certain foods with Calquence, talk with your doctor.

You should take Calquence according to your doctor’s or healthcare professional’s instructions.

Calquence comes as an oral tablet, which is a tablet that you take by swallowing. Be sure to take it with water.

When to take

Take your dose of Calquence every 12 hours unless your doctor directs you otherwise. If you miss your dose by more than 3 hours, skip that dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try setting a reminder on your phone. A medication timer may be useful, too.

Taking Calquence with food

You can take your dose of Calquence with or without food. However, be sure to take the medication with water.

Can Calquence be crushed, split, or chewed?

You should not crush, split, chew, or dissolve Calquence tablets. Swallow the medication whole with water.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer that affects white blood cells in your bone marrow (the tissue inside bones). These cells begin to grow abnormally and don’t work as they should in your body. Eventually, the cancer cells move from your bone marrow into your blood. CLL is a very slow growing cancer. It’s the most common type of leukemia that occurs in adults.

Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is very similar to CLL. But with SLL, the majority of the abnormal white blood cells are in your lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are part of your immune system, which helps you fight infections.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a fast-growing type of cancer that affects your white blood cells. Specifically, it’s a kind of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. MCL occurs when your white blood cells begin to grow abnormally and reproduce quickly. These abnormal cells are usually found in your lymph nodes, bone marrow, digestive tract, and blood.

What Calquence does

Calquence works by blocking the growth of the abnormal white blood cells.

Calquence belongs to a class of medications called kinase inhibitors. Kinase inhibitors are targeted therapies. This means that they work on a specific protein in your body. As a result, these medications have fewer side effects than chemotherapy drugs, which aren’t as specific and affect many different cells.

The protein that Calquence blocks is called Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK). BTK helps your white blood cells grow. By blocking BTK, Calquence helps reduce the growth of white blood cells, so they’ll eventually die. This kills the abnormal white blood cells that are causing the cancer.

How long does it take to work?

Calquence will begin working after your first dose of medication. However, it may take time for you to see a response. A response to the medication means that tests showed a decreased level of cancer cells or no cancer at all.

You should not take Calquence if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. The drug can be harmful to a developing fetus and make birth harder for both the infant and mother.

There are no studies of Calquence in pregnant humans, so the recommendations above are based on animal studies. The drug caused decreased body weight in fetuses, and bones were slower to form.

If you’re able to become pregnant, your doctor will likely give you a pregnancy test before you start using Calquence. This is to make sure you’re not pregnant.

And if you’re already pregnant or plan to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about treatment options other than Calquence for your cancer.

You should not take Calquence if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “male” and “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

For females using Calquence

If you can become pregnant, you should use birth control while taking Calquence and for at least 1 week after your last dose of medication.

For males using Calquence

The manufacturer of Calquence hasn’t provided any birth control recommendations for males who take the medication. However, if you’re a male who’s using Calquence and your sexual partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They can review your birth control needs during and after your treatment.

For more information about taking Calquence during pregnancy, see the “Calquence and pregnancy” section above.

You should not breastfeed while you’re taking Calquence and for 2 weeks after your last dose of medication.

There are currently no human studies on breastfeeding and Calquence. However, in animal studies, Calquence was present in breast milk, which means that a breastfed animal could consume it.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about healthy ways to feed your child and what cancer treatments are right for you.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Calquence.

Is Calquence a type of chemotherapy?

No, Calquence isn’t a chemotherapy drug. Calquence is a type of targeted therapy. Targeted therapies work in specific areas of the body to treat certain kinds of cancer. This limits the side effects that you may have.

Chemotherapy, on the other hand, is a treatment for cancer that can affect your whole body. There can be many side effects with chemotherapy because the drug works on cells throughout the body that grow quickly.

Am I able to use Calquence if I have surgery planned?

It depends on the surgery. Calquence may increase your risk of bleeding. This can include serious bleeding, which was fatal in some cases in clinical trials. Because of this risk, your doctor may have you stop taking Calquence for 3 to 7 days before a surgery. However, in some cases, such as small surgical procedures, you may not have to stop taking Calquence.

Be sure to talk with your doctor before having any surgery to see whether you need to stop taking Calquence for a period of time.

Can I keep taking my blood thinner while using Calquence?

You’ll likely be able to keep taking your blood thinner while using Calquence.

Calquence may increase your risk of bleeding, including major bleeds that may lead to death. (Symptoms of major bleeds include blood in your stool and vomiting blood.) If you’re also taking a blood thinner, you’re at an increased risk of bleeding.

However, you usually won’t need to stop taking your blood thinner. During your Calquence treatment, your doctor will monitor you for signs of bleeding, such as with blood tests. Be sure to tell your doctor about any bleeding that you have.

If you’re taking a blood thinner, ask your doctor whether you should keep using it while you’re taking Calquence.

Are antacids and acid reducers safe to take during my Calquence treatment?

Yes, heartburn medications such as antacids and acid reducers don’t interact with Calquence oral tablets.

However, Calquence oral capsules, which are discontinued, do interact with heartburn medications. Taking this form of the drug along with medications that reduce stomach acid may decrease the level of Calquence in your body. This means that you may not get enough Calquence in your system to treat your cancer.

Although Calquence oral capsules have been discontinued, some may still be on the market. If you take heartburn medications, tell your doctor before you start Calquence treatment. They’ll likely prescribe the tablet form of the drug.

Will Calquence cure my condition?

Cancer doesn’t yet have a cure. But taking Calquence may stop your cancer from getting worse.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how Calquence can help treat your cancer.

This drug comes with several precautions. Before taking Calquence, talk with your doctor about your health history. Calquence may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Upcoming surgery. Before taking Calquence, talk with your doctor about any surgery you plan to have. The drug may increase your risk of bleeding, so you may need to stop using it before surgery.
  • Bleeding problems. Before using Calquence, be sure to tell your doctor about any bleeding problems, such as hemophilia or von Willebrand’s disease, that you have. Calquence may increase your risk of bleeding. If you already have a condition that may cause bleeding, you have an even higher risk of bleeds. Your doctor will be able to determine whether Calquence is the best medication for you.
  • Heart problems. If you have a heart problem that affects your heart rhythm, tell your doctor about it before you start taking Calquence. The drug may cause heart rhythm problems such as atrial fibrillation. So if you already have a heart problem, Calquence may make your condition worse. Your doctor may recommend other treatment options.
  • Infections. Calquence may increase your risk of developing an infection. If you already have an infection, your doctor will treat it before you start taking Calquence. Talk with your doctor about any infections you have before you use Calquence.
  • Liver problems, such as hepatitis B. If you have any liver problems, including a history of hepatitis B, talk with your doctor before starting Calquence treatment. The drug may increase the risk of infections, including hepatitis B returning. Also, Calquence is broken down by your liver. So if you already have liver problems, too much of the drug may build up in your system. As a result, your doctor may need to reduce your Calquence dose.
  • Pregnancy. You should not take Calquence if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. For more information, see the “Calquence and pregnancy” section above.
  • Breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while you’re taking Calquence and for 2 weeks after your last dose of medication. For more information, see the “Calquence and breastfeeding” section above.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’re allergic to Calquence or any of its ingredients, you should not use Calquence. Ask your doctor what other treatment options are available.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Calquence, see the “Calquence side effects” section above.

Using more than the recommended dosage of Calquence can lead to serious side effects.

Do not use more Calquence than your doctor recommends.

Overdose symptoms

It isn’t known what symptoms may occur if you take too much Calquence. Be sure to only take the dose of Calquence that your doctor prescribes. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.

What to do in case of overdose

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

When you get Calquence from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the bottle. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, ask your pharmacist how to correctly dispose of it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

You should store Calquence tablets at room temperature, between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C), in a tightly sealed container away from light. If necessary, you can keep the medication between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C) for short periods. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.

Disposal

If you no longer need to take Calquence and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.

This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information on how to dispose of your medication.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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