Resources

Find everything from appointment checklists to inspiring patient videos, to support your day-to-day life with CLL

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Supporting videos

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FAQs

Supporting videos

Downloadable resources

FAQs

Supporting videos

Goal setting

Working with your healthcare team

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Appointment checklist

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Symptom tracker

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Frequently Asked Questions

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is a slow-growing type of blood cancer that starts in B cells, a type of white blood cell that forms in the bone marrow.¹

Your medicine is an oral targeted treatment that helps fight CLL cancer cells, offering an alternative to traditional chemotherapy.^2,3

The most common side effects include muscle or joint pain, headache, rash, feeling tired, weakness or lack of energy, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhoea, decreased number of red blood cells, decreased number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cells) or decreased number of platelets (cells that help blood clot), dizziness, sinusitis, nasopharyngitis, high blood pressure, infections and new cancers, including cancers of the skin.^2,3

You should stop taking your medicine and contact a doctor or go to your nearest emergency department immediately if you experience bleeding in different sites, or infections.^2,3

Remember everyone's treatment experience is different, so always tell your healthcare team about any new or worsening symptoms.

Always take Calquence exactly as your doctor has told you, so do check with them if you are unsure.

The usual recommendation is to take one 100 mg tablet roughly every 12 hours, at the same times each day, with or without food. Swallow tablets whole with a glass of water, do not chew, crush, dissolve or divide them, as this can affect how the medicine is absorbed.

It can be taken with or without food.^2,3

If you remember within three hours of your usual time, take the missed tablet straight away, then take your next dose at the normal time.
If more than three hours have passed, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.
Do not take two tablets together to make up for a missed dose. If you’re unsure what to do, contact your healthcare team.

If your symptoms are improving since taking Calquence, it suggests your medication may be working for you. You should continue taking your medication until you are advised otherwise by your healthcare professional.^2,3

No – you should continue to take it as prescribed by your doctor.

Most people continue treatment until the medicine stops controlling the CLL or side effects outweigh the benefits. Some patients remain on Calquence for several years with regular monitoring. Alternatively, if you are prescribed acalabrutinib in combination with venetoclax, this will be given for a maximum of 14 treatment cycles (each cycle is 28 days). Your doctor will review your response at every appointment and guide any future changes.

Other supportive sources include CLL Support, Blood Cancer UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Leukaemia Care, and the NHS website.

You can access the patient information leaflet for more information on your medicine here.

Your clinical nurse specialist can connect you with peer-support services to help you live well with CLL.⁴

Abbreviations:

CLL, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

References:

Leukaemia Care. About CLL. [Internet]. Accessed November 2025. Available from https://www.leukaemiacare.org.uk/support-and-information/information-about-blood-cancer/blood-cancer-information/leukaemia/chronic-lymphocytic-leukaemia/about-cll/
Package leaflet: Information for the patient Calquence® (acalabrutinib) 100 mg film-coated tablets. Accessed November 2025. Available from https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.14853.pdf 
CALQUENCE (acalabrutinib) 100 mg film-coated tablet SmPC. Accessed November 2025. Available from: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/14853/smpc.
Live well with CLL. CLL support (2019). Accessed November 2025. Available from https://images.cllsupport.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/31110716/BOOKLET-FINAL-PROOF..pdf

GB-69344 | November 2025

Resources

Supporting videos

Downloadable resources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CLL ?

What is Calquence?

What side effects might I notice?

How should I take my medicine?

What should I do if I miss a dose?

My symptoms are improving, can I stop treatment?

Can I change how often I take my medicine?

How long will I be on this treatment for?

Where can I find other information and support?

Abbreviations:

References:

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