Key Takeaways

  • Low levels of certain blood cells is a common side effect of Calquence. This can lead to conditions like anemia (low red blood cell level) and thrombocytopenia (low platelet level).
  • Headaches and digestive issues such as diarrhea are also common Calquence side effects. They are usually temporary.

Calquence (acalabrutinib) is used in certain adults to treat:

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Calquence can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this Calquence overview.

Some people may experience mild or serious side effects during Calquence treatment. Examples of Calquence’s more commonly reported side effects include:

For details about some of these side effects, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Calquence can cause mild side effects in some people. Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Calquence include:

For details about some of these side effects, see the “Side effects explained” section.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. Some may be easily managed, too. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking Calquence unless your doctor recommends it.

Calquence may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the Calquence prescribing information for details.

Less commonly, serious side effects can happen with Calquence. Serious side effects of Calquence include:

For details about some of these side effects, see the “Side effects explained” section.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Calquence, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Calquence and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Calquence may cause.

Low blood cell levels

Low blood cell levels are common with Calquence, but this side effect is typically mild or easily managed. Less commonly, very low blood cell levels can lead to severe problems. The problems you might develop depend on which of the following types of blood cells are affected:

Low red blood cell levels

Anemia is a common side effect of Calquence. It’s caused by a low level of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body.

Without enough red blood cells, you may develop fatigue (low energy). Other possible symptoms of anemia include weakness, skin that is paler than usual, headache, and shortness of breath.

If you develop these symptoms, it’s important to tell your doctor. Do not wait to see whether the symptoms go away on their own.

Low white blood cell levels

Low white blood cell levels are a common side effect of Calquence and may include:

White blood cells are an important part of your immune system. Their job is to travel throughout your body, find any pathogens (germs), and fight them off. Without enough white blood cells, you could develop an infection more easily, such as a bacterial or viral infection.

An infection can be mild, such as the common cold, or severe, such as pneumonia. Symptoms of serious infection vary but may include fever, chills, body aches, or cough. If you develop symptoms of an infection while taking Calquence, tell your doctor right away.

Low platelet levels

Calquence can cause thrombocytopenia, defined as a low level of platelets (also called thrombocytes). This is a common side effect.

Platelets are a type of blood cell that helps to stop bleeding after an injury. When your skin gets injured or cut, platelets clot (clump together) to reduce the loss of blood. If you don’t have enough platelets in your body, your blood won’t be able to clot.

With thrombocytopenia, your blood may become “too thin,” increasing your risk of bleeding problems. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and include:

  • bruising easily
  • skin wounds that bleed for a long time
  • petechiae (a rash with small red, purple, or dark dots)
  • nosebleeds
  • bleeding gums, especially after brushing or flossing your teeth
  • heavy menstrual bleeding
  • coughing up blood
  • blood in your urine
  • bloody or dark-colored stool or vomit

Although not common, serious bleeding problems were reported in studies of Calquence. In rare cases, hemorrhages (very heavy bleeding) and brain bleeding have been fatal. If you’re taking a blood thinner with Calquence, you may have a higher risk of serious bleeding problems.

Before starting Calquence treatment, tell your doctor about all of the medications that you take. If you’re taking a blood thinner, they’ll likely monitor you more carefully while you’re taking Calquence.

What might help

Low blood cell levels are common with Calquence treatment. This side effect also commonly occurs with many other types of cancer treatment.

As a result, your doctor will suggest a plan to manage your blood cell levels during Calquence treatment. This will likely include regularly checking your blood with a simple blood test called a complete blood count. Your doctor may also suggest certain medications, such as Neupogen (filgrastim) or Neulasta (pegfilgrastim), or an iron supplement to help prevent or treat low blood cell levels.

If your symptoms become severe, your doctor may have you stop Calquence. They’ll let you know when it’s safe for you to start taking the drug again. If it’s not safe to resume Calquence treatment, they may suggest a different treatment option.

If you have questions or concerns about low blood cell levels with Calquence, talk with your doctor.

Digestive system issues

Digestive side effects can happen in some people taking Calquence. In studies of the drug, diarrhea was one of the most common side effects, and it can be severe.

According to the manufacturer of Calquence, for many people, diarrhea can develop within 2 months after starting treatment. This side effect often eased after a week.

Other digestive side effects can include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • constipation
  • abdominal pain

What might help

For many people, the digestive side effects of Calquence are temporary. Eating small, frequent meals that include bland foods may help to ease these side effects.

Diarrhea or vomiting can lead to dehydration. If you develop these digestive side effects, it’s important to drink plenty of fluids.

If you have diarrhea or vomiting that becomes severe or doesn’t go away, tell your doctor. They may recommend medical treatment, such as giving you fluids intravenously (through a vein). Or they may suggest an antidiarrheal medication, such as Imodium (loperamide), or an anti-nausea drug, such as ondansetron.

If you have questions about digestive system issues during Calquence treatment, talk with your doctor.

Headache

Headache was one of the most common side effects reported in studies of Calquence. But it’s usually a temporary side effect.

According to the manufacturer of Calquence, for many people, headache from taking the drug develops within 5 days of starting treatment. This side effect can last around 2 weeks.

Headache from Calquence is usually mild but can be severe for some people.

What might help

Tylenol (acetaminophen), an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, may help relieve a headache from taking Calquence.

Here are a few other tips to try that may ease this side effect:

  • A headache can occur or get worse if you become dehydrated. Try to drink plenty of water and other fluids throughout the day.
  • Light to moderate exercise can help release endorphins (brain chemicals), which may ease pain. Consider going for a walk or doing another type of exercise that you enjoy.
  • Caffeine can help relieve headache pain in some people. If it’s safe for you to consume caffeine, consider having a cup of coffee or tea.

If your headache becomes severe or doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor. They may suggest other ways to relieve a headache caused by Calquence.

Muscle pain

Muscle pain is a possible side effect of Calquence. In studies, the following types of muscle-related pain were commonly reported in people taking the drug:

  • muscle pain or discomfort
  • back pain
  • neck pain
  • pain in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

For many people, muscle pain is a mild side effect of Calquence.

What might help

Some of the tips for relieving a headache given previously may also help with muscle pain: taking Tylenol (acetaminophen), staying hydrated, and exercising.

Heat can also help relax tense muscles and provide some relief. Consider taking a hot shower or bath or using a heating pad. A daily stretching routine can be useful for preventing muscle injuries.

An OTC treatment option for easing muscle pain is topical menthol. (“Topical” means you apply it to your skin.) Examples include Bengay, Biofreeze, and Mineral Ice. If you have any questions about using topical menthol, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If your muscle pain is severe or bothersome, talk with your doctor. They may suggest other ways to relieve this side effect.

Rash

Rash is a possible side effect of Calquence treatment. In studies, rash was a mild side effect for many people.

Although rare, severe rash is possible with Calquence. In a study of Calquence to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia, severe rash occurred more frequently in people taking Calquence with another drug compared with those taking Calquence alone.

What might help

Rash from Calquence is typically mild and temporary. You might not need any treatment for it.

If you develop a rash after starting Calquence, talk with your doctor. They may be able to suggest ways to ease this side effect.

If you have certain symptoms with a rash, you could be having an allergic reaction. For more information, see the next section.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Calquence can cause an allergic reaction. In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Calquence treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Calquence, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Calquence’s side effects.

How do Calquence’s side effects compare with those of Imbruvica?

Calquence and Imbruvica (ibrutinib) both treat some of the same types of cancer. These drugs work similarly, so they can cause similar side effects. But some different side effects, including serious ones, are also possible.

Imbruvica’s serious side effects include increased blood pressure and tumor lysis syndrome. (With tumor lysis syndrome, cancer cells release harmful chemicals into your blood as they’re broken down.)

Calquence isn’t known to cause either of these serious side effects, but it can cause other serious side effects. Both drugs can cause liver damage, which can be serious.

Your doctor can help guide you on which treatment option is better for your condition.

Does Calquence cause any long-term side effects?

Yes, it’s possible to have long-term side effects from taking Calquence. How long side effects last can vary from person to person, however.

The most common side effects of Calquence are usually temporary. Less commonly, Calquence can cause serious side effects that may be long term. Examples include heart problems and new types of cancer.

Some people taking Calquence develop long-term heart rhythm problems. These include atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation, which can be serious.

If you already have a heart problem or high blood pressure, you may have a higher risk of heart rhythm problems. Before starting Calquence, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history.

Some people taking Calquence develop new types of tumors or skin cancer. You can help reduce your risk of skin cancer by protecting your skin from the sun.

Can Calquence cause fatigue?

Yes, it can. Fatigue (low energy) is a symptom of anemia, which is a common side effect of Calquence. It’s caused by a low level of red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body.

Without enough red blood cells, you may develop fatigue. Other symptoms of anemia include weakness, skin that is paler than usual, headache, and shortness of breath.

If you develop these symptoms with Calquence, it’s important to tell your doctor. They’ll likely test your blood to check for a low level of red blood cells or other signs of anemia. Your doctor may recommend treatment to correct your anemia, such as taking an iron supplement.

I’m bruising a lot more easily. Is this a side effect of Calquence?

Yes, it is. Skin bruising occurs when tiny blood vessels called capillaries become damaged and bleed. The blood gets trapped below your skin’s surface, causing a darkened or discolored area. As the bruise heals, the discolored area should start to go away.

Taking a drug such as Calquence can cause you to bruise more easily. This is because Calquence can result in thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets). Platelets are a type of blood cell that helps to stop bleeding after an injury. Without enough platelets, you’re more likely to have bleeding or bruising, even after minor injuries that you don’t remember.

Bruising a lot can be a sign that your platelets are lower than usual. Other symptoms include bleeding gums, nosebleeds, or wounds that take a long time to stop bleeding.

If you notice these symptoms, be sure to tell your doctor. They’ll monitor your platelet levels with blood tests regularly during Calquence treatment.

Calquence may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Calquence. Here are some factors to consider:

  • heart problems
  • liver problems, including hepatitis B
  • bleeding problems
  • any infections
  • upcoming surgery
  • allergic reaction to Calquence or any of its ingredients

Alcohol use and Calquence

There’s no known interaction between alcohol and Calquence.

But if you’re taking Calquence with Gazyva (obinutuzumab) for chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma, your doctor may advise you to avoid alcohol.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much alcohol is safe for you to consume during Calquence treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Calquence

You should not take Calquence if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. The drug may cause harm to a developing fetus or pregnant person.

If you can become pregnant, your doctor will likely recommend using effective birth control to help prevent pregnancy during your Calquence treatment. And you’ll keep using birth control for at least 1 week after stopping the drug.

Also, you should not breastfeed a child while taking Calquence and for 2 weeks after your last dose.

If you’re planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor. They may suggest other treatment options or offer other medical advice, depending on your condition.

Q:

Is there anything I can do to help prevent or minimize my risk of infection while taking Calquence?

Anonymous

A:

You can help prevent or minimize your risk of infection while taking Calquence by practicing good hygiene. This includes washing your hands frequently, showering daily, and avoiding large crowds and people who are sick.

In addition, your doctor will regularly check your blood with a simple blood test called a complete blood count. This will help determine whether you need additional medication to treat low white blood cell levels. (Your white blood cells help fight off infection.)

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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 another 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.