Welcome to MyCLL
This website is intended only for UK patients who have been prescribed Calquence▼ (acalabrutinib). This website has been produced and funded by AstraZeneca.
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Common side effects
You may have side effects with Calquence, and it’s important to know what they might be and how you may be able to manage them.1
Remember that everyone’s treatment experience is different, so talk with your doctor about any side effects you experience. Preventing and managing side effects from treatment may help you stay on treatment, so be sure to keep your doctor updated.1
Side effects of Calquence include2
- Muscle or joint pain
- Headache
- Rash
- Feeling tired (fatigue), weakness or lack of energy
- Feeling sick to your stomach (nausea), vomiting, stomach pain, constipation (infrequent or hard to pass stool), diarrhoea (frequent or loose stools)
- Decreased number of red blood cells, decreased number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cells) or decreased number of cells that help blood clot (platelets).
- Dizziness
- Headache, pressure in the eyes, nose or cheek area (sinusitis)
- Sore throat and runny nose (nasopharyngitis)
- High blood pressure
- Infections
- New cancers, including cancers of the skin
- Bronchitis
Not a comprehensive list.
Some side effects may require medical attention and for treatment to be stopped. Please refer to the patient information leaflet for more information on adverse events.
Living with CLL
Living with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) can be tough, both physically and emotionally. It’s normal to feel worried or overwhelmed at times but remember that small changes to your everyday routine can make a big difference. You will benefit from medical observation and a healthy lifestyle, as this will improve your well-being and lower your risk of getting other illnesses.3
Here are some daily wellness tips:3
A Well-Balanced
Diet3
- Eat fresh fruit and vegetables (at least 5 portions daily).
- Include high-fibre foods like beans and cereals.
- Stay hydrated (1.2 litres of water or non-alcoholic drinks daily).
- Reduce red and processed meat, animal fats, alcohol, and salty or fried foods.
Be Physically
Active3
- Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity, 5 days a week (e.g. walking).
- Tailor exercise to your fitness and health condition.
Manage
Weight3
- If overweight, adjust diet and exercise with medical guidance.
- Unexplained weight loss should be investigated by your doctor.
Reduce
Stress3
- Explore stress-relief methods like meditation, prayer, or hobbies.
- Regular exercise can improve mood and energy levels.
Vitamins/
Supplements3
- Consult your doctor before taking supplements or herbal treatments.
- Some supplements may affect medication effectiveness.
Stop
Smoking3
- Seek advice from your doctor or stop-smoking helplines.
- Access local stop-smoking services for support
You can speak with a member of your healthcare team to discuss personalised plans for leading a healthier day-to-day life. If you haven’t already, it may help to join a local or online support group so you can meet or speak with other people who are experiencing similar challenges and emotions.
Looking after yourself
Goals
It can be helpful to write down some of your general thoughts and questions, such as:
- What are my hopes or expectations for life with CLL?
- What kinds of activities would I like to keep doing each day?
- What longer-term goals would I like to achieve?
Thinking about these questions as part of a goal-setting activity may be useful. This can help you identify the things that bring you joy and fulfilment—especially time with family and friends—and make practical plans to keep doing them.
Setting goals can also help you prepare more focused questions for your healthcare team, so you can better understand what living with CLL might look like for you.
Support network
You may still feel stressed or worried sometimes, and that’s completely normal. It’s important to remember you don’t have to deal with CLL alone.
Having a good support system—family, friends, or support groups—can make your good days even better and help you get through the tougher days more easily. Learning how to talk openly with others can also help you feel more supported. Some people find Support Groups (e.g. Leukaemia care, UK) and online meetings help them connect with others going through a similar experience.3
During doctor visits, it’s sometimes hard to remember everything you want to ask. You might feel nervous or overwhelmed, which can make it hard to explain how you’re really feeling. To help with this, use an appointment checklist to write down your questions and concerns before your next visit.
Access your appointment checklist here
Abbreviations:
CLL, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
References:
- Package leaflet: Information for the patient Calquence® (acalabrutinib) 100 mg film-coated tablets. Accessed August 2025. Available from https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.14853.pdf
- AstraZeneca. Welcome to Calquence.
- Live well with CLL. CLL support (2019). Accessed August 2025. Available from https://images.cllsupport.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/31110716/BOOKLET-FINAL-PROOF..pdf
GB-69343 | August 2025
▼ This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information, and you can help by reporting any side effects you may get. See below for more information.
Reporting side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the Patient Information Leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme, website: http://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of medicines.
Side effects can also be reported to AstraZeneca in the following ways:
This website is only intended for UK patients who have been prescribed Calquence (Acalabrutinib). It does not replace the Patient Information Leaflet, which can be found in the carton containing your medicine and should be read alongside this information. If you have any questions about your treatment, talk to your healthcare team or refer to the Patient Information Leaflet.
All patient images are for illustrative purposes only.
