Revlimid

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.

2.5 mg
Each opaque capsule, white on one end and blue/green on the other, printed with "REV" and "2.5 mg" in black ink, contains 2.5 mg of Revlimid (Lenalidomide). Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose anhydrous, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, gelatin, titanium dioxide, FD&C Blue No. 2, and yellow iron oxide.

5 mg
Each white opaque capsule printed with "REV" and "5 mg" in black ink contains 5 mg of Revlimid (Lenalidomide). Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose anhydrous, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, gelatin, and titanium dioxide.

10 mg
Each opaque capsule, blue/green on one end and pale yellow on the other end, printed with "REV" and "10 mg" in black ink, contains 10 mg of Revlimid (Lenalidomide). Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose anhydrous, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, gelatin, titanium dioxide, FD&C Blue No. 2, and yellow iron oxide.

15 mg
Each opaque capsule, powder blue on one end and white on the other end, printed with "REV" and "15 mg" in black ink, contains 15 mg of Revlimid (Lenalidomide). Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose anhydrous, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, gelatin, titanium dioxide, and FD&C Blue No. 2.

20 mg
Each opaque capsule, blue/green on one end and powder blue on the other end, printed with "REV" and "20 mg" in black ink, contains 20 mg of Revlimid (Lenalidomide). Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose anhydrous, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, gelatin, titanium dioxide, FD&C Blue No. 2, and yellow iron oxide.

25 mg
Each white opaque capsule printed with "REV" and "25 mg" in black ink contains 25 mg of Revlimid (Lenalidomide). Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose anhydrous, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, gelatin, and titanium dioxide.

Do not take Revlimid (Lenalidomide) if you:

• are allergic to Revlimid (Lenalidomide) or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to thalidomide or Pomalidomide
• are breast-feeding
• are or may be pregnant
• are male and not able to follow the necessary birth control requirements
• have low platelet levels or bleeding disorders

There may be an interaction between Revlimid (Lenalidomide) and any of the following:

• Abatacept
• Anakinra
• bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)
• Baricitinib
• bisphosphonates (e.g., Alendronate, Risedronate)
• Canakinumab
• Certolizumab Pegol
• Clozapine
• darbepoetin
• Deferiprone
• Denosumab
• dexamethasone
• Digoxin
• echinacea
• epoetin alfa
• estrogens and progestins (such as those found in birth control pills and hormone replacement therapies)
• Fingolimod
• Leflunomide
• Natalizumab
• Nivolumab
• Pimecrolimus
• Roflumilast
• Tacrolimus
• Tocilizumab
• Tofacitinib
• Trastuzumab
• vaccines
• Vedolizumab

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Revlimid (Lenalidomide). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

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).