Lenalidomide
Description
Lenalidomide is an anti-cancer medicine. It is used in the treatment of multiple myeloma (a type of white blood cell cancer), myelodysplastic syndrome (a type of blood cancer in which immature blood cells are formed), and lymphoma (a cancer that starts in the infection-fighting cells of the immune system). It works by inhibiting the chemicals responsible for the abnormal growth of cancer cells.
Lenalidomide shows some common side effects such as constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, rash, back pain, fatigue, cough, and fever. These side effects usually subside with time. However, if they persist or worsen, consult your doctor for further assistance. Dizziness, sleepiness, vertigo (feeling of imbalance), and blurred vision have been reported with the use of Lenalidomide. Therefore, caution is recommended when driving vehicles or operating machines.
Lenalidomide can be taken with or without food. Your doctor will determine the dose and duration of treatment based on the severity of your condition. Take the medication at the same time every day for ease of remembering. Do not discontinue the medication without consulting your doctor, as it can worsen your condition.
Lenalidomide is not recommended if you are allergic to it. It should be taken with caution if you have a history of liver or kidney conditions, stroke (blockage of blood flow to your brain), high cholesterol levels, or a thyroid condition (inability of the thyroid gland to produce an adequate amount of hormones). Inform your doctor if you have high blood pressure or an allergic reaction to Thalidomide (a medication used to treat cancers).
Lenalidomide is not recommended if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Use effective contraceptive methods to avoid pregnancy during treatment with this medicine. It is not recommended in children below 18 years of age due to the lack of safety and efficacy data.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Lenalidomide
- Chest pain
- Dry mouth
- Fever
- Cough
- Nausea
- Sore throat
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Blurred vision
- Decreased appetite
- Dizziness
- Diarrhoea
Uses of Lenalidomide
What is it prescribed for?
- Multiple Myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Lymphoma
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for Lenalidomide to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Lenalidomide remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Lenalidomide.
- Usage in pregnancy?Lenalidomide is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can cause harm to the developing foetus.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is unknown if Lenalidomide passes into breast milk. Hence, this medicine is not recommended for use if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Lenalidomide if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Lenalidomide is unsafe for use during pregnancy as it can cause harm to the developing foetus.
Breast-feeding
It is unknown if Lenalidomide passes into breast milk. Hence, this medicine is not recommended for use if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Liver disease
Lenalidomide should be used with caution if you have liver problems due to the increased risk of liver toxicity. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Kidney disease
Lenalidomide should be used with caution if you have kidney problems as it can worsen your condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Stroke
Lenalidomide should be used with caution if you have a history of stroke (blockage of blood flow to your brain). Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
High cholesterol level
Lenalidomide should be used with caution if you have high cholesterol levels as it can worsen your condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Thyroid disease
Lenalidomide should be used with caution if you have thyroid conditions (increased or decreased ability of the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones) as it can worsen your condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
High blood pressure
Lenalidomide should be used with caution if you have high blood pressure. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Allergic reaction to Thalidomide
Lenalidomide should be used with caution if you have an allergic reaction to Thalidomide (a medication used to treat cancers).
Use in children
Lenalidomide is not recommended for children below 18 years of age due to a lack of safety and efficacy data.
Low blood cell count
Lenalidomide should be used with caution as it may cause a decrease in blood cell counts. Your doctor may suggest blood tests to monitor your blood cell counts while you are taking this medicine.
Driving vehicles or operating machines
Lenalidomide may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision. Hence avoid driving vehicles or operating machines if you experience such symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Do not miss the dose of Lenalidomide. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember if less than 12 hours has elapsed since missing a dose. If more than 12 hours has elapsed, skip the missed dose, but take the next dose at the normal time on the following day. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Do not take more than the recommended dose of Lenalidomide. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Simvastatin
Clozapine
Ethinyl Estradiol
Disease interactions
Thromboembolism
Lenalidomide should be used with caution if you have thromboembolism (obstruction in blood vessels due to blood clots) as it can worsen your condition. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Lenalidomide with or without food. Take this capsule at the same time daily for ease of remembering.
Do not chew, crush, or break the capsule. Swallow it whole with a glass of water.
While removing the capsule from the blister, press only on one end of the capsule to reduce the risk of capsule deformation/breakage.
Never take more than the prescribed dose. Do not discontinue taking the medicine without consulting with your doctor.
Your doctor may suggest periodic blood tests to monitor your blood cell counts while you are taking this medicine.
Women of child-bearing potential should use effective contraceptive methods to avoid pregnancy during treatment with this medicine.
For men taking this medicine: Use effective contraceptive methods to avoid pregnancy. If your partner becomes pregnant, consult a doctor immediately for further guidance.
Lenalidomide may weaken your immune system and increase the risk of infections. Hence avoid coming into contact with people who are sick.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Lenalidomide works by inhibiting the chemicals responsible for the abnormal growth of cells (cancer cells). It helps your immune system to work in an appropriate way.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Miscellaneous antineoplastics, Other immunosuppressants
Schedule
Schedule H
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 14 July 2022].
Ema.europa.eu. 2022. [online] Available at: [Accessed 14 July 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 9 Sep 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.