What side effects does Calquence (acalabrutinib) commonly cause?
Commonly reported side effects include headache, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, upper respiratory tract infections, bruising, muscle aches, and rash. [1]
What are the serious side effects people watch for with Calquence?
Serious or clinically important side effects can include infections (including serious infections), bleeding, low blood counts (such as anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia), atrial fibrillation/flutter, and other heart rhythm problems. [1]
Can Calquence increase the risk of infection? What symptoms matter?
Yes. Calquence can raise the risk of infections. Symptoms to pay attention to include fever, chills, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, or any signs of worsening infection. [1]
Does Calquence cause bleeding or bruising?
It can. Patients may notice easy bruising or bleeding. Tell a clinician promptly if there is unusual bleeding, blood in stool or urine, vomiting blood, severe or persistent nosebleeds, or any bleeding that does not stop. [1]
What blood count changes can happen?
Calquence may cause low blood counts, including anemia, low neutrophils (neutropenia), and low platelets (thrombocytopenia). These can contribute to fatigue, infection risk, and bleeding/bruising. [1]
Are heart rhythm problems possible?
Yes. Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter have been reported. Seek medical care for symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, fainting, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath. [1]
Is headache a typical side effect, and how severe is it?
Headache is a commonly reported side effect. Severity varies by person, but if headaches are severe or associated with neurologic symptoms, contact a clinician. [1]
What drug interactions or precautions matter for side effect risk?
Calquence has medication safety considerations that can affect bleeding and other risks; clinicians often review other drugs a patient takes before starting it. For specific interactions and personalized risk, a prescriber or pharmacist can check your medication list. [1]
Where can I see the full side-effect list?
The most complete, up-to-date side-effect and warning information is in the official prescribing information. [1]
Sources:
[1] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/ (Calquence/acalabrutinib prescribing information via FDA label database)