Lenalidomide
About
Lenalidomide belongs to the group of medicines called immunomodulatory agents used to treat multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, mantle cell lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma. Lenalidomide is used to treat a type of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) known as deletion 5q MDS where part of chromosome 5 is missing.
Lenalidomide contains ‘lenalidomide’, which works by helping the body’s immune system and directly attacks cancer. It stops the development of cancer cells, stops the blood vessels growing in cancer, and stimulates the part of the immune system to attack the cancer cells. Lenalidomide kills the abnormal cells in the bone marrow and helps the bone marrow to produce normal blood cells.
You are advised to take Lenalidomide for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as fatigue, constipation, diarrhoea, muscle cramps, nausea, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, dizziness, shortness of breath, and weakness. Talk with your doctor if you experience any of these side effects persistently.
Avoid taking Lenalidomide if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Lenalidomide may cause dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, and blurred vision, so drive only if you are alert. Lenalidomide is not recommended for children below 18 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Men and women taking Lenalidomide must use effective contraception. Inform your doctor regarding your health condition and medications before taking Lenalidomide to rule out any interactions.
Uses of Lenalidomide
Medicinal Benefits
Lenalidomide belongs to the group of medicines called immunomodulatory agents. Lenalidomide is used to treat multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, mantle cell lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma. Lenalidomide works by helping the body’s immune system and directly attacks cancer. It stops the development of cancer cells, stops the blood vessels growing in cancer, and stimulates the part of the immune system to attack the cancer cells. Lenalidomide kills the abnormal cells in the bone marrow and helps the bone marrow to produce normal blood cells. Lenalidomide is used to treat a type of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) known as deletion 5q MDS, where part of chromosome 5 is missing.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Lenalidomide
- Weakness
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Heartburn
- Shortness of breath
- Headache
- Muscle/bone/back pain
- Decrease in red blood cell count
- Fever and flu-like symptoms
- Decreased appetite
- Blurred vision
- Upper respiratory tract infection
- Dry mouth
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Lenalidomide if you are allergic to any of its components. Inform your doctor if you have/had blood clots, heart attack, neuropathy, slow heart rate, high blood pressure, low blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, infections/signs of infections, viral infection, HIV, hepatitis B, epilepsy, liver or kidney problems. Do not take Lenalidomide if you are pregnant, as it might cause severe birth defects or the death of the unborn baby. Avoid taking Lenalidomide if you are breastfeeding as it is not unknown if it passes into breastmilk. Lenalidomide may cause dizziness, sleepiness and blurred vision, so drive only if you are alert. Lenalidomide is not recommended for use in children. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Lenalidomide as it could lead to increased dizziness and sleepiness. Let your doctor know regarding your health condition and medications you are taking, including over the counter and herbal products.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Lenalidomide may interact with digitalis glycosides (digoxin), blood thinner (warfarin), and hormone (erythropoietin).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have anaemia, blood clots, infections, heart, kidney, or liver problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Lenalidomide as it might cause increased dizziness.
Pregnancy
unsafeLenalidomide should not be taken during pregnancy as it causes severe birth defects or death to an unborn baby. Use highly effective contraception if you are a woman of child-bearing age. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while taking Lenalidomide as it is unknown if Lenalidomide passes into breastmilk.
Driving
unsafeLenalidomide may cause dizziness, sleepiness, and blurred vision. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be necessary. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeLenalidomide is not recommended for children below 18years as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain proper weight.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Include food rich in iron, such as lean red meat, raisins, bell peppers, Brussel sprouts, and broccoli.
- To prevent constipation, consume fibre-rich foods such as whole grains, broccoli, dried fruits, nuts, beans, apples, oranges, and pears.
Special Advise
- Do not take Lenalidomide if you are pregnant as it might cause severe birth defects or death of the unborn baby.
- Male patients taking Lenalidomide must not donate semen and should use effective contraception during sexual activity even though they have undergone vasectomy.
- You must not donate blood while taking Lenalidomide and for 4weeks after discontinuing Lenalidomide.
- Lenalidomide might increase the risk of blood clots. Inform your doctor if you notice any symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling of the arm or leg.
- Lenalidomide might cause abnormal/increase in liver test results, inform the person doing the test that you are taking Lenalidomide.
- Lenalidomide might increase/decrease your blood sugar levels. Regularly monitor blood glucose levels while taking Lenalidomide. Consult your doctor if you are diabetic.
- Inform your doctor if you have any kidney dysfunction as Lenalidomide might cause kidney problems.
- Regular blood tests are advised before and during treatment with Lenalidomide.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Multiple myeloma: Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects a type of white blood cells called a plasma cell. These cells collect in the bone marrow and divide uncontrollably, leading to kidney and bone damage. Symptoms include bone pain, loss of appetite, fever, and frequent infections.
Myelodysplastic syndromes: It is a group of disorders that occur due to abnormal functioning of blood cells. Symptoms include shortness of breath, anaemia, fatigue, need for blood transfusion, and risk of infections.
Mantle cell lymphoma: It is the cancer of the lymph tissue where the B-cells or B lymphocytes (a type of white blood cells) grow in an uncontrolled manner and build up in the lymph tissue, blood or bone marrow.
Follicular lymphoma: It is slow-growing cancer that affects B lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells that help fight infection. Incase of follicular lymphoma, too many B lymphocytes build up in the blood, lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen.
FAQs
Lenalidomide works by helping the body’s immune system and directly attacks cancer. It stops the development of cancer cells, stops the blood vessels growing in cancer, and stimulates the part of the immune system to attack the cancer cells.
Do not stop taking Lenalidomide on your own. You are advised to take Lenalidomide for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Lenalidomide.
No, it is not safe to father a child while taking Lenalidomide. Lenalidomide can pass into human semen. During sexual activity with females of reproductive potential, always use effective contraception such as latex or synthetic condom while taking Lenalidomide and for at least 4weeks after discontinuing Lenalidomide, even if you have undergone a successful vasectomy. Male patients taking Lenalidomide must not donate semen whilst taking Lenalidomide and for 4weeks after discontinuing Lenalidomide.
Patients taking Lenalidomide must not donate blood during the treatment with Lenalidomide and for 1month after discontinuation of Lenalidomide as the donated blood might be given to pregnant women whose foetus should not be exposed to Lenalidomide since it causes severe birth defects.
People with multiple myeloma taking Lenalidomide may have an increased risk for blood clots in veins, arteries, and lungs. The risk is even higher if you are taking dexamethasone with Lenalidomide for treating multiple myeloma. Consult your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, and swelling in the legs or arm.
Lenalidomide might cause neutropenia (low white blood cells) or thrombocytopenia (low platelets). Blood count should be checked regularly during treatment with Lenalidomide.
