VENETOCLAX

85/100 · Critical

Manufactured by AbbVie Inc.

Venetoclax Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

98,823 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About VENETOCLAX

VENETOCLAX is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by AbbVie Inc.. Based on analysis of 98,823 FDA adverse event reports, VENETOCLAX has a safety score of 85 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for VENETOCLAX include DEATH, OFF LABEL USE, NEUTROPENIA, FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA, PLATELET COUNT DECREASED. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for VENETOCLAX.

AI Safety Analysis

Venetoclax has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 98,823 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Abbvie Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Death, Off Label Use, Neutropenia. Of classified reports, 90.2% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. High percentage of serious adverse events (90.2%) indicates significant safety concerns.

Neutropenia and pneumonia are among the top reactions, highlighting potential immune system impacts. A wide range of reactions, including death and sepsis, underscores the drug's broad safety profile.

Patients taking Venetoclax should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Venetoclax can cause severe hematological reactions such as neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, and patients should be monitored for signs of infection and myelosuppression. Drug interactions, particularly with other hematopoietic agents, are a concern This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 85/100

Venetoclax received a safety concern score of 85/100 (high concern). This is based on a 90.2% serious event ratio across 57,829 classified reports. The score accounts for 98,823 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DEATH9,739 reports
OFF LABEL USE6,503 reports
NEUTROPENIA3,217 reports
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA2,966 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED2,621 reports
PYREXIA2,566 reports
PNEUMONIA2,542 reports
FATIGUE2,479 reports
DIARRHOEA2,261 reports
MYELOSUPPRESSION2,143 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED2,103 reports
NAUSEA1,992 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA1,963 reports
INFECTION1,854 reports
ANAEMIA1,842 reports
ACUTE MYELOID LEUKAEMIA1,745 reports
ASTHENIA1,690 reports
COVID 191,623 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED1,520 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE1,495 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION1,401 reports
SEPSIS1,279 reports
HOSPITALISATION1,268 reports
PANCYTOPENIA1,189 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION1,118 reports
CYTOPENIA1,094 reports
TUMOUR LYSIS SYNDROME1,084 reports
NEUTROPHIL COUNT DECREASED1,051 reports
HOSPICE CARE1,031 reports
DYSPNOEA1,008 reports
VOMITING942 reports
FALL902 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT USE ISSUE838 reports
CONSTIPATION819 reports
TRANSFUSION816 reports
MALAISE799 reports
DECREASED APPETITE796 reports
PAIN771 reports
CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKAEMIA754 reports
DIZZINESS733 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED673 reports
COUGH606 reports
LYMPHADENOPATHY592 reports
HEADACHE584 reports
HAEMORRHAGE582 reports
RASH576 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION575 reports
HYPOTENSION566 reports
ARTHRALGIA562 reports
ACUTE MYELOID LEUKAEMIA RECURRENT547 reports
BACK PAIN532 reports
RED BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED526 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION512 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY502 reports
FULL BLOOD COUNT DECREASED481 reports
SEPTIC SHOCK479 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION468 reports
UNEVALUABLE EVENT434 reports
DEHYDRATION429 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN427 reports
ASPERGILLUS INFECTION423 reports
LEUKAEMIA416 reports
RENAL FAILURE414 reports
CHILLS403 reports
PLEURAL EFFUSION387 reports
NEOPLASM MALIGNANT386 reports
RESPIRATORY FAILURE385 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT INCREASED384 reports
HYPERTENSION382 reports
PRURITUS380 reports
PLATELET TRANSFUSION372 reports
RICHTER^S SYNDROME370 reports
INFLUENZA369 reports
DRUG INTERACTION368 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING367 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY351 reports
LEUKOPENIA347 reports
PLASMA CELL MYELOMA338 reports
LABORATORY TEST ABNORMAL334 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE334 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER332 reports
MALIGNANT NEOPLASM PROGRESSION328 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE323 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS323 reports
CELLULITIS318 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL318 reports
ILLNESS316 reports
MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROME316 reports
THERAPEUTIC PRODUCT EFFECT INCOMPLETE312 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL311 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT307 reports
BLOOD COUNT ABNORMAL305 reports
BACTERAEMIA298 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT296 reports
FULL BLOOD COUNT ABNORMAL294 reports
IMMUNODEFICIENCY290 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS290 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE276 reports
DYSPHAGIA276 reports
ADVERSE DRUG REACTION274 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Neutropenia and pneumonia are key safety signals, with high counts and serious nature.
  • Death and sepsis are critical safety signals, indicating severe adverse outcomes.
  • A wide variety of reactions, including hematological and respiratory issues, are reported.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Male: 32,228, Female: 20,010, Unknown: 2. The most frequently reported age groups are age 70 (1,384 reports), age 73 (1,328 reports), age 72 (1,260 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 57,829 classified reports for VENETOCLAX:

  • Serious: 52,177 reports (90.2%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 5,652 reports (9.8%)
Serious 90.2%Non-Serious 9.8%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Male32,228 (61.7%)
Female20,010 (38.3%)
Unknown2 (0.0%)

Reports by Age

Age 701,384 reports
Age 731,328 reports
Age 721,260 reports
Age 751,246 reports
Age 741,236 reports
Age 711,227 reports
Age 771,181 reports
Age 781,149 reports
Age 761,120 reports
Age 681,004 reports
Age 801,001 reports
Age 671,000 reports
Age 69993 reports
Age 79960 reports
Age 65895 reports
Age 81852 reports
Age 66842 reports
Age 62735 reports
Age 64732 reports
Age 82718 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Venetoclax can cause severe hematological reactions such as neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, and patients should be monitored for signs of infection and myelosuppression. Drug interactions, particularly with other hematopoietic agents, are a concern

What You Should Know

If you are taking Venetoclax, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include death, off label use, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, platelet count decreased. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Monitor patients closely for signs of infection, particularly neutropenia and pneumonia, and adjust dosing as necessary. Inform patients about the potential for severe adverse events and the importance of adhering to prescribed dosing. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor Venetoclax for safety, and healthcare providers should report any adverse events. The drug is approved for specific indications and should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Venetoclax?

The FDA has received approximately 98,823 adverse event reports associated with Venetoclax. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Venetoclax?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Venetoclax include Death, Off Label Use, Neutropenia, Febrile Neutropenia, Platelet Count Decreased. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Death (9,739 reports), Off Label Use (6,503 reports), Neutropenia (3,217 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Venetoclax.

What percentage of Venetoclax adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 57,829 classified reports, 52,177 (90.2%) were classified as serious and 5,652 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Venetoclax (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Venetoclax break down by patient sex as follows: Male: 32,228, Female: 20,010, Unknown: 2. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Venetoclax?

The most frequently reported age groups for Venetoclax adverse events are: age 70: 1,384 reports, age 73: 1,328 reports, age 72: 1,260 reports, age 75: 1,246 reports, age 74: 1,236 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Venetoclax?

The primary manufacturer associated with Venetoclax adverse event reports is Abbvie Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Venetoclax?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Venetoclax include: Pyrexia, Pneumonia, Fatigue, Diarrhoea, Myelosuppression. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Venetoclax?

You can report adverse events from Venetoclax to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Venetoclax's safety score and what does it mean?

Venetoclax has a safety concern score of 85 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. High percentage of serious adverse events (90.2%) indicates significant safety concerns.

What are the key safety signals for Venetoclax?

Key safety signals identified in Venetoclax's adverse event data include: Neutropenia and pneumonia are key safety signals, with high counts and serious nature.. Death and sepsis are critical safety signals, indicating severe adverse outcomes.. A wide variety of reactions, including hematological and respiratory issues, are reported.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Venetoclax interact with other drugs?

Venetoclax can cause severe hematological reactions such as neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, and patients should be monitored for signs of infection and myelosuppression. Drug interactions, particularly with other hematopoietic agents, are a concern Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Venetoclax.

What should patients know before taking Venetoclax?

Monitor patients closely for signs of infection, particularly neutropenia and pneumonia, and adjust dosing as necessary. Inform patients about the potential for severe adverse events and the importance of adhering to prescribed dosing.

Are Venetoclax side effects well-documented?

Venetoclax has 98,823 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. Neutropenia and pneumonia are among the top reactions, highlighting potential immune system impacts. The volume of reports for Venetoclax reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Venetoclax?

The FDA continues to monitor Venetoclax for safety, and healthcare providers should report any adverse events. The drug is approved for specific indications and should be used with caution in patients with pre-existing conditions. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to VENETOCLAX based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

AzacitidineCytarabineFludarabineGilteritinibRomiplostim
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.