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Revlimid

Revlimid

(lenalidomide)

Revlimid (Lenalidomide) belongs to the class of cancer-fighting medications called antineoplastics, and specifically to the group of antineoplastics known as immunomodulatory agents. It has several actions that reduce the growth of cancer cells and increase the activity of the body's defense system against the cancer cells.

Available form

Dosage

Capsule

5MG

Buy Revlimid Full drug details

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Revlimid information

Dosage

Side Effects

Available Form

Contraindications

Precautions

Warnings

The recommended starting dose of Revlimid (Lenalidomide) for treating multiple myeloma is 25 mg daily, taken by mouth. It is generally taken for 21 days, stopped for 7 days, and then restarted for 21 days. The dosage will by adjusted by your doctor, based on side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.

For myelodysplastic syndromes, the recommended starting dose is 10 mg daily for 21 days, stopped for 7 days and then restarted for 21 days. The dosage will by adjusted by your doctor, based on side effects and the effectiveness of the medication.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Revlimid (Lenalidomide) capsules should be taken at the same time each day and swallowed whole with a glass of water. Revlimid (Lenalidomide) may be taken with or without food. The capsules should not be broken, chewed, or opened.

It is important to take Revlimid (Lenalidomide) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Revlimid (Lenalidomide) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Revlimid (Lenalidomide). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Revlimid (Lenalidomide) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Revlimid (Lenalidomide). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

back pain
blood pressure changes
bone pain
change in sense of taste
Constipation
Diarrhea
difficulty sleeping
dizziness
dry eyes
Dry Mouth
dry skin
eye pain
fatigue
gas
hair loss
headache
hearing problems
heartburn
hiccups
hot flashes
increased sweating
irritability
itchy, red eyes
itchiness or rash
joint or muscle pain
loss of appetite
mood changes
nausea
night sweats
tremor
vomiting
weight changes

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

abdominal pain
confusion
fainting
Fever or signs of infection (such as redness or swelling, sore throat, or coughing up mucus)
mouth pain
mouth sores
muscle weakness
persistent cough (cough that doesn't seem to go away)
persistent diarrhea (diarrhea that doesn't seem to go away)
signs of dehydration (dry mouth, excessive thirst, dark urine)
signs of Depression (e.g., changes in sleep habits, feeling sad, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, thoughts of suicide, weight changes)
signs of high blood sugar (e.g., frequent urination, increased thirst, excessive eating, unexplained weight loss, poor wound healing, infections, fruity breath odour)
signs of unusual infections (symptoms may include fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness)
signs of kidney problems (e.g., decreased urine production, swelling, fatigue, abdominal pain)
signs of Low Blood Pressure such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
skin rash
swelling of feet or legs
symptoms of anemia (such as tiredness, weakness, pale skin, or fast or irregular heartbeat)
signs of sodium or potassium levels being too high or too low (e.g., muscle pain or cramps, weakness, irregular heart beat)
symptoms of a chest/lung infection (e.g., shortness of breath, cough, chest pain)
symptoms of Hypothyroidism (e.g., dry skin, constipation, weight gain, fatigue, aches, pains and stiffness, intolerance to cold, depression, memory problems)
symptoms of liver problems (e.g., abdominal pain, dark urine, itchy skin, loss of appetite, pale stools, yellow eyes or skin)
symptoms of over active Thyroid (e.g., anxiety or nervousness, weight loss, frequent and loose bowel movements, breathlessness, feeling hot, feelings of having rapid, fluttering or pounding heart)
tingling or numbness in the hands and feet or muscle weakness that interferes with daily activities
vision changes (e.g., blurred vision)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

abnormal or irregular heartbeat
flu-like symptoms (e.g., chills, fever, muscle aches, sweating, tiredness)
signs of blood clot formation (e.g., coughing blood; pains in chest, groin, or leg, especially in calf of leg; weakness or numbness in arm or leg)
signs of heart problems (e.g., decreased ability to exercise, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, swollen ankles, tightness in the chest)
signs of organ transplant rejection (e.g., flu-like symptoms, pain at transplant area, weight gain)
signs of muscle damage (e.g., unexplained muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, or brown or discoloured urine)
signs of Stroke (e.g., sudden and unexplained shortness of breath, sudden loss of coordination, sudden or severe headache, sudden slurring of speech, sudden vision changes)
symptoms of graft vs. host disease (GVHD; itchy, painful rash, diarrhea, abdominal pain, liver problems)
symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (such as difficulty breathing, Hives, or swelling of the face or throat)
symptoms of bleeding (including vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, dark or bloody stools, or blood in the urine)
symptoms of leukencephalopathy (e.g., seizures, vision loss, trouble thinking clearly, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking)
symptoms of lung problems (such as coughing, shortness of breath, or wheezing)
symptoms of serious skin reactions (e.g., a skin rash that spreads quickly or covers a large area of the body; blisters, especially around the eyes, nose, and mouth; shedding of the skin; unexplained skin pain over a large body area)
symptoms of tumour lysis syndrome (e.g., producing less urine, cloudy urine, kidney problems, muscle spasms, nausea, shortness of breath)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Revlimid (Lenalidomide).

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Revlimid (Lenalidomide).

Bleeding: Revlimid (Lenalidomide) may cause a reduced number of platelets in the blood, which can make it difficult to stop cuts from bleeding. If you notice any signs of bleeding, such as frequent nosebleeds, unexplained bruising, or black and tarry stools, notify your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will order routine blood tests to make sure potential problems are caught early.

Blood Clots: Revlimid (Lenalidomide) increases the risk of developing blood clots in the legs and lungs. If you experience sudden shortness of breath, blurred vision, difficulty speaking, chest pain, arm or leg pain, and swelling, contact your doctor immediately.

Blood donation: Do not give blood during and for 4 weeks after your treatment with Revlimid (Lenalidomide). If a pregnant woman received your donated blood, her baby could be exposed to Revlimid (Lenalidomide) and might be born with birth defects.

Cardiovascular effects: Revlimid (Lenalidomide) may have effects on the heart and circulatory (blood vessels) system, including Heart Attack, stroke, and changes in blood pressure. If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, and other diseases of the heart and blood system, discuss with your doctor how Revlimid (Lenalidomide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Revlimid (Lenalidomide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Diabetes: Revlimid (Lenalidomide) may cause an increase in blood sugar levels and glucose tolerance may change. People with diabetes may find it necessary to monitor their blood sugar more frequently while using Revlimid (Lenalidomide).

If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Revlimid (Lenalidomide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Revlimid (Lenalidomide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Revlimid (Lenalidomide) is not expected to make you drowsy or impair your ability to drive or use machinery. However, it may make some people feel weak. Do not drive or use machinery if you feel weak.

Infections: When Revlimid (Lenalidomide) decreases the number of cells that fight infection in the body (white blood cells), it increases the risk of infections. It may also cause infections such as herpes zoster or hepatitis B to flare up. If you notice any signs of an infection, such as fever or chills, severe diarrhea, shortness of breath, prolonged dizziness, headache, stiff neck, weight loss, or listlessness, contact your doctor immediately.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Revlimid (Lenalidomide) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have kidney problems, discuss with your doctor how Revlimid (Lenalidomide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Revlimid (Lenalidomide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Lactose intolerance: Revlimid (Lenalidomide) contains lactose. If you have galactose intolerance (galactosemia, glucose-galactose malabsorption, or Lapp lactase deficiency) you should not take Revlimid (Lenalidomide). Talk to your doctor about other alternatives.

Liver function: Revlimid (Lenalidomide) has been reported to cause a decrease in liver function including fatal liver failure. If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Revlimid (Lenalidomide).

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML): There have been reports of PML after using Revlimid (Lenalidomide). PML is a rare disorder that causes nerve damage in the brain. If you experience memory loss, vision changes, trouble thinking, personality changes or difficulty walking, contact your doctor immediately.

Second cancers: A small number of patients with multiple myeloma have reported second cancers such as skin cancers or other invasive cancers. Talk to your health care provider if you have any concerns.

Thyroid problems: Both hypothyroidism (low thyroid) and Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) have been reported with Revlimid (Lenalidomide). If you have thyroid problems, discuss with your doctor how Revlimid (Lenalidomide) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Revlimid (Lenalidomide), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Tumour lysis syndrome: Revlimid (Lenalidomide), like many other cancer medications, causes many cancer cells to be suddenly killed when treatment is first started. This can overwhelm the body with waste products from the cells. As a result, the body may not be able to keep up with getting rid of all the waste. When this happens, you may experience nausea, shortness of breath, or notice cloudy urine or joint pain. This is called tumour lysis syndrome. Your doctor may prescribe some medications to help your body get rid of the waste products. Make sure you understand how to use these medications and report any of these signs or symptoms to your doctor immediately.

Pregnancy: Revlimid (Lenalidomide) must not be used during pregnancy because of the potential for it to cause serious birth defects. Women who take Revlimid (Lenalidomide) must use 2 methods of birth control for 4 weeks before starting treatment with Revlimid (Lenalidomide), during treatment with Revlimid (Lenalidomide), and for at least 4 weeks after treatment has stopped.

Your doctor will ask you to do 2 pregnancy tests before starting Revlimid (Lenalidomide) and regularly during treatment with Revlimid (Lenalidomide). If you become pregnant while taking Revlimid (Lenalidomide), contact your doctor immediately.

Men who take Revlimid (Lenalidomide) must use a latex condom during sexual encounters with women who can become pregnant. They must continue to use a condom for at least 4 weeks after treatment has stopped.

Breast-feeding: The safety of taking Revlimid (Lenalidomide) while breast-feeding has not been determined. It is not known if Revlimid (Lenalidomide) passes into breast milk. Because a baby may be seriously harmed if exposed to Revlimid (Lenalidomide), breast-feeding mothers should not use Revlimid (Lenalidomide).

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Revlimid (Lenalidomide) have not been established for children.

Seniors: People over the age of 65 who take Revlimid (Lenalidomide) may be at increased risk of developing side effects associated with the heart and kidneys. Your doctor may want to monitor you more closely while you are taking Revlimid (Lenalidomide).

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