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Venetoclax side effects: what 61,217 FDA adverse event reports show

Venetoclax · Venclexta · 1,168 reaction terms · 166,408 drug–reaction co-reports · data 2026-09-14
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Drug class

BCL-2 Inhibitor

FDA label (Established Pharmacologic Class)

Brand names

Venclexta

openFDA label

Who reports

61,217 reports · 90% serious · 17,332 with death outcome · 38% female

openFDA FAERS counts, all years, deduplication not applied

Used for

VENCLEXTA is a BCL-2 inhibitor indicated: For the treatment of adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). ( 1.1 ) In combination with azacitidine, or decitabine, or low-dose cytarabine for the treatment of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in adults 75 years or older, or who have comorbidities that preclude use of intensive induction chemotherapy.

FDA label, Indications and Usage

What it is

Venetoclax is a BCL-2 inhibitor. It is a light yellow to dark yellow solid with the empirical formula C 45 H 50 ClN 7 O 7 S and a molecular weight of 868.44. Venetoclax is described chemically.

FDA label, Description section

Boxed warning

None in the current label

How to read this page. FAERS is a spontaneous-reporting system: counts are not incidence rates and a signal is not proof of causation. Each reaction below is run through an automated screen — is the term in the FDA label (known), in the indications (the disease being treated), an administrative/coding term, or none of these (unlabeled)? That screen is mechanical text matching, not a causality assessment. The 30 hand-written Bradford Hill assessments are on the causality assessment page. Not medical advice.

Causality screen of the 40 strongest signals

Labeled adverse reaction 2Labeled (related wording) 9Likely indication confounding 6Reporting / coding artifact 1Lab value / disease marker 4Not in label — unassessed 18
What the badges mean

Strongest disproportionality signals

Flagged terms (PRR ≥ 2, χ² ≥ 4, n ≥ 10), ranked by PRR; infinite PRRs (no comparator reports) excluded. The EBGM column is a second, shrinkage-based estimate (MGPS) with its 5th percentile EB05 and the BCPNN IC025; a pair flagged by PRR alone is marked PRR-only and should be read as fragile. The strata column recomputes the PRR on serious reports only (and, for the 300 most-reported drugs, adjusted for age band), and flags pairs whose reports are unusually skewed by sex or come mostly from consumers. Each row also shows the PRR against the other drugs of the same FDA class, which removes most confounding by the condition being treated, and a calibrated p-value: on validation, known non-causes average an ROR of about 2, so significance is judged against that empirical null (✓ = p < 0.05 after calibration). 1,128 further terms are in the interactive explorer. Reaction links open the term's cross-drug page.

Show:
ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
Allogenic stem cell transplantation83394.0
287.0–540.8ROR 394.5 · calibrated p 2e-12 ✓
174.9 EB05 145.5 · IC025 +6.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=82not reported in cached trials
Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplant33205.9
133.6–317.5ROR 206.1 · calibrated p 2e-9 ✓
119.5 EB05 89.0 · IC025 +4.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=33not reported in cached trials
Platelet transfusion386148.7
131.9–167.5ROR 149.6 · calibrated p 5e-9 ✓
103.0 EB05 94.6 · IC025 +6.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=386 · 77% consumernot reported in cached trials
T-cell prolymphocytic leukaemia28147.4
94.6–229.9ROR 147.5 · calibrated p 2e-8 ✓
96.3 EB05 69.9 · IC025 +4.6
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=28 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasia21124.2
75.3–204.8ROR 124.2 · calibrated p 1e-7 ✓
84.3 EB05 58.1 · IC025 +4.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=21not reported in cached trials
Protothecosis25123.9
78.3–195.9ROR 123.9 · calibrated p 1e-7 ✓
85.1 EB05 60.6 · IC025 +4.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=25 · ♀ 100% (drug 38%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Minimal residual disease108102.5
82.7–127.1ROR 102.7 · calibrated p 1e-7 ✓
77.8 EB05 66.2 · IC025 +5.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=107 · 92% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Cord blood transplant therapy1890.5
53.8–152.3ROR 90.6 · calibrated p 1e-6 ✓
66.7 EB05 44.7 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious n=18not reported in cached trials
Red blood cell transfusion8288.3
69.2–112.6ROR 88.4 · calibrated p 4e-7 ✓
69.1 EB05 57.4 · IC025 +5.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=82not reported in cached trials
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia77065.9
61.1–71.2ROR 66.8 · calibrated p 2e-6 ✓
55.2 EB05 52.0 · IC025 +5.6
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications; also in warnings
serious n=767not reported in cached trials
Bone marrow transplant27257.6
50.7–65.5ROR 57.9 · calibrated p 6e-6 ✓
49.2 EB05 44.5 · IC025 +5.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=272 · 79% consumernot reported in cached trials
Tumour lysis syndrome1,14551.6
48.5–54.9ROR 52.6 · calibrated p 1e-5 ✓
44.9 EB05 42.7 · IC025 +5.4
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 28.4not reported in cached trials
Mantle cell lymphoma recurrent5651.4
38.8–68.1ROR 51.5 · calibrated p 2e-5 ✓
44.1 EB05 35.2 · IC025 +4.6
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=56 · ♀ 18% (drug 38%)not reported in cached trials
Blast cell count increased13751.3
42.9–61.4ROR 51.4 · calibrated p 1e-5 ✓
44.4 EB05 38.5 · IC025 +5.0
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=135not reported in cached trials
Mantle cell lymphoma19149.3
42.4–57.4ROR 49.4 · calibrated p 2e-5 ✓
43.0 EB05 38.1 · IC025 +5.0
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=189not reported in cached trials
Acute myeloid leukaemia1,89047.3
45.1–49.6ROR 48.7 · calibrated p 2e-5 ✓
41.6 EB05 40.0 · IC025 +5.3
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications; also in warnings
serious PRR 26.5NCT04161885: 1/216 (0.5%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Refractory cancer2646.6
30.9–70.2ROR 46.6 · calibrated p 4e-5 ✓
40.0 EB05 28.7 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=26 · ♀ 100% (drug 38%)not reported in cached trials
Congenital aplasia3344.0
30.6–63.2ROR 44.0 · calibrated p 5e-5 ✓
38.2 EB05 28.5 · IC025 +4.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=33 · ♀ 0% (drug 38%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Hospice care1,05641.1
38.5–43.8ROR 41.8 · calibrated p 4e-5 ✓
36.7 EB05 34.9 · IC025 +5.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 33.8not reported in cached trials
Stem cell transplant24237.1
32.5–42.3ROR 37.2 · calibrated p 8e-5 ✓
33.4 EB05 30.0 · IC025 +4.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=242not reported in cached trials
Infusion4036.7
26.5–50.9ROR 36.8 · calibrated p 1e-4 ✓
32.8 EB05 25.1 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=40 · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Cytopenia1,13535.9
33.8–38.1ROR 36.5 · calibrated p 9e-5 ✓
32.5 EB05 31.0 · IC025 +4.9
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 20.7NCT04161885: 1/214 (0.5%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Blast cells present4434.6
25.3–47.1ROR 34.6 · calibrated p 2e-4 ✓
31.1 EB05 24.1 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=44 · ♀ 59% (drug 38%)not reported in cached trials
Transfusion85730.3
28.3–32.5ROR 30.8 · calibrated p 2e-4 ✓
27.9 EB05 26.4 · IC025 +4.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 18.6 · 89% consumernot reported in cached trials
Myelosuppression2,66229.0
27.9–30.2ROR 30.3 · calibrated p 2e-4 ✓
26.8 EB05 26.0 · IC025 +4.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 17.1 · 97% clinicianNCT04161885: 1/214 (0.5%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Transplant18028.0
24.1–32.6ROR 28.1 · calibrated p 4e-4 ✓
25.9 EB05 22.9 · IC025 +4.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=179NCT04161885: 1/30 (3.3%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Respiratory moniliasis1824.8
15.3–40.0ROR 24.8 · calibrated p 0.001 ✓
22.6 EB05 15.0 · IC025 +3.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=18not reported in cached trials
Aspergillus infection42824.2
21.9–26.6ROR 24.3 · calibrated p 8e-4 ✓
22.6 EB05 20.8 · IC025 +4.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=426not reported in cached trials
Leukaemia recurrent10823.3
19.2–28.3ROR 23.4 · calibrated p 0.001 ✓
21.8 EB05 18.6 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
shares a disease stem with the indications wording
serious n=108NCT04161885: 3/214 (1.4%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Granulocyte count decreased11323.1
19.1–28.0ROR 23.2 · calibrated p 0.001 ✓
21.6 EB05 18.5 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=113 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Blood uric acid abnormal2522.5
15.0–33.8ROR 22.5 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
20.9 EB05 14.8 · IC025 +3.3
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=24not reported in cached trials

Trial evidence (ClinicalTrials.gov)

✓ Trial adverse-event data found on ClinicalTrials.gov

Largest completed trials with posted results that list Venetoclax as a study intervention. The right-hand column of the signal table shows whether each FAERS term was also recorded in these trials, with a real denominator (6 of 40 signal terms matched).

Caveats: trial populations, doses and follow-up differ from the reporting population; AE terms are sponsor-coded and matched here by wording; absence from a trial list means the term was not reported above the sponsor's frequency threshold, not that it cannot occur.

Most frequently reported reactions

By raw co-report count, regardless of disproportionality. Common terms here are often the illness itself or generic outcomes.

ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
Death10,1784.1
4.0–4.2ROR 4.7 · calibrated p 0.270
4.0 EB05 4.0 · IC025 +2.0
3/3 methods agree
Outcome field, not a reactionserious PRR 2.6not reported in cached trials
Off label use (used outside approved label)6,8402.7
2.7–2.8ROR 2.9 · calibrated p 0.650
2.7 EB05 2.6 · IC025 +1.4
3/3 methods agree
Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 2.7not reported in cached trials
Neutropenia (low neutrophils (infection-fighting cells))3,4278.9
8.6–9.2ROR 9.3 · calibrated p 0.041 ✓
8.7 EB05 8.4 · IC025 +3.1
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 5.5NCT04161885: 7/214 (3.3%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Febrile neutropenia3,11416.9
16.3–17.5ROR 17.7 · calibrated p 0.003 ✓
16.1 EB05 15.6 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 10.3NCT04161885: 7/214 (3.3%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Pyrexia (fever)2,7652.7
2.7–2.9ROR 2.8 · calibrated p 0.683
2.7 EB05 2.7 · IC025 +1.4
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 2.1NCT04161885: 5/214 (2.3%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Pneumonia (lung infection)2,6722.8
2.7–3.0ROR 2.9 · calibrated p 0.649
2.8 EB05 2.7 · IC025 +1.4
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 1.8NCT04161885: 1/216 (0.5%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Myelosuppression2,66229.0
27.9–30.2ROR 30.3 · calibrated p 2e-4 ✓
26.8 EB05 26.0 · IC025 +4.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 17.1 · 97% clinicianNCT04161885: 1/214 (0.5%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Fatigue (tiredness)2,6371.2
1.1–1.2ROR 1.2 · calibrated p 0.420
1.2 EB05 1.1 · IC025 +0.2Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 1.1 · 72% consumerNCT04161885: 1/214 (0.5%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Diarrhoea (diarrhea)2,3741.3
1.2–1.3ROR 1.3 · calibrated p 0.492
1.3 EB05 1.2 · IC025 +0.3Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 1.1NCT04161885: 3/214 (1.4%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Nausea2,1300.9
0.9–1.0ROR 0.9 · calibrated p 0.257
0.9 EB05 0.9 · IC025 -0.2
PRR-only: not supported by EBGM or IC
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 0.9NCT04161885: 1/214 (0.5%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Thrombocytopenia (low platelets)2,0986.6
6.3–6.8ROR 6.7 · calibrated p 0.109
6.4 EB05 6.2 · IC025 +2.6
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 4.1NCT04161885: 1/214 (0.5%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Infection1,9844.8
4.6–5.0ROR 4.9 · calibrated p 0.247
4.7 EB05 4.5 · IC025 +2.2
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 3.7NCT04161885: 1/214 (0.5%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)
Anaemia (low red blood cells)1,9263.5
3.3–3.6ROR 3.6 · calibrated p 0.470
3.5 EB05 3.3 · IC025 +1.7
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 2.4NCT04161885: 1/214 (0.5%) on Venetoclax (serious AE)

Unlabeled candidate signals

These flagged terms were not found in the FDA label text and do not match an artifact pattern. They are the pairs that would merit a structured assessment (temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across databases, trial or cohort evidence). The screen has not done that; string-matching misses label wording, and a strong PRR can still be stimulated reporting, co-medication, or the disease itself.

Want to assess one of these properly? The runbook describes the Bradford Hill / trial-evidence workflow used on the assessment page, and handoff_top1000_signals.csv lists the strongest unassessed pairs across all drugs.

Common questions

What are the most reported side effects of Venetoclax?

In FDA FAERS, the most frequently co-reported reaction terms for Venetoclax are neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, platelet count decreased, pyrexia, pneumonia, myelosuppression. These are report counts, not rates: FAERS has no denominator, reporting is voluntary and uneven, and a term can be reported because of the illness being treated rather than the drug.

Does Venetoclax have an FDA boxed warning?

No. The FDA label retrieved for Venetoclax has no boxed warning; see the label's Warnings and Precautions for the recognised risks.

Do FAERS signals prove that Venetoclax causes these side effects?

No. A disproportionality signal (PRR, ROR) means a reaction is reported more often with this drug than with others in the database. That can reflect a real effect, but also the disease being treated, stimulated reporting after news or litigation, co-medications, or how reports are coded. Causality needs temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across data sources and, ideally, trial or cohort evidence. This page screens each term against the FDA label and ClinicalTrials.gov results; it does not establish causation.

Sources & methods

Page generated 2026-10-14. Label and PubChem text are retrieved automatically and may lag the current label; always check the current prescribing information. OpenPV is a beta research tool of the Open Source Medicine Foundation.