Lenalidomide is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat multiple myeloma (a type of cancer in a certain white blood cell known as plasma cell). It is used in individuals who are newly diagnosed or those who have received prior treatment.
This medicine is also used to treat myelodysplastic syndromes (a group of disorders in which blood-forming cells in the bone marrow do not become healthy blood cells).
Lenalidomide reduces the size of the tumour by stopping the cancer cells from growing.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Lenalidomide exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not break, open, or chew the capsule.
If the powder from a broken capsule accidentally comes in contact with your skin, rinse it immediately and thoroughly with soap and water.
The dose of Lenalidomide will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on your condition and response to the medication.
This medicine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking Lenalidomide even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
If you miss a dose at your scheduled time and less than 12 hours have passed, take the missed dose immediately and return to your normal dosing schedule.
If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose to make up for a missed dose.
If you often forget to take your medicine, inform your doctor and pharmacist.
Do not take this medicine if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to Lenalidomide or any of its ingredients.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while on Lenalidomide therapy, alert your doctor immediately. Lenalidomide may cause harm to your unborn child.
It is important that you do not get pregnant while taking this medicine. You must use proven birth control methods for at least 4 weeks before Lenalidomide therapy, during, and at least 4 weeks after stopping the treatment. Birth control medicines containing hormones may not be effective. You may wish to discuss other reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Men should not father a child while being treated with this medicine. Men must use proven birth control methods during Lenalidomide therapy and for at least 7 days after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss other reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with Lenalidomide.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of blood clotting disorders
- conditions that may increase the risks of blood clots e.g. heart disease, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, infection
- high total amount of tumour in the body
- kidney disease or undergoing dialysis (a procedure that helps individuals with kidney failure to filter toxic substances from the blood)
- liver disease
Women who are or may be pregnant must not touch broken or crushed capsules as Lenalidomide may cause harm to your unborn child.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to the elderly.
Notify your doctor if you are going to undergo a procedure called stem cell mobilisation.
Do not donate blood or sperm during therapy and for at least 7 days after discontinuation of treatment.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before, during, and after treatment to check if Lenalidomide is suited for you to take.
- Routine tests (e.g. kidney, liver or thyroid function, complete blood count, ECG [test used to record the electrical activity of the heart]) while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring for signs and symptoms of infection, blood clots, tumour formation, and skin reactions may also be needed.
Lenalidomide may cause dizziness or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nose bleeding, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, dry mouth, weight loss, difficulty sleeping, muscle pain or cramps, joint pain, and skin dryness or itching.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- signs and symptoms of allergic reactions e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen face, eyes, tongue or throat
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, unusual tiredness, dark coloured urine
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- signs and symptoms of a heart attack e.g. chest pain, tightness or pressure, pain that may spread to the arms, jaw, neck, shoulder or back, shortness of breath, lightheadedness
- signs and symptoms of blood clots e.g. shortness of breath, chest pain, swelling and tenderness in your leg accompanied by redness and warmth
- weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, vision problems, changes in balance or coordination
- tender or swollen lymph nodes, low-grade fever, skin rash
Lenalidomide may cause the level of your white blood cells and platelets to drop.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, cough, sore throat, mouth ulcers, or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. simvastatin, atorvastatin
- digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
- birth control pills
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Lenalidomide.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
As this is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired capsules to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
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