lenalidomide
Other Name: Revlimid®
in various strengths
- For treating certain types of blood cancers such as multiple myeloma, lymphomas or myelodysplastic syndromes.
- You must register with the controlled distribution program for lenalidomide before starting it. Your doctor and pharmacy must also be registered with this program for you to receive lenalidomide. Talk to your health care team for more information.
- Tell your health care team if you have or had significant medical condition(s), especially if you have or had:
- bleeding problems or a history of blood clots,
- liver, kidney or heart problems (including irregular heartbeat, heart attack),
- high blood pressure or cholesterol,
- a history of viral infections such as shingles or hepatitis,
- an organ or stem cell transplant,
- if you cannot tolerate thalidomide, or
- have any allergies.
- This drug contains a small amount of lactose. If you cannot tolerate lactose, talk to your health care team.
- People with cancer have a higher risk of getting other cancers or developing blood clots. Some cancer medications may increase these risks, especially if used for a long period of time. Discuss any concerns about this medication with your health care team.
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The use of this medication in men or women may cause harm to the unborn baby if pregnancy occurs. Let your health care team know if you or your partner is pregnant, becomes pregnant during treatment, or if you are breastfeeding.
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If there is ANY chance that you or your partner may become pregnant, you and your partner together must:
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► Use 2 effective forms of birth control at the same time while taking this drug AND have regular pregnancy tests. (See the controlled distribution program requirements for your medication.) Hormonal contraception such as birth control pills can increase your risk of blood clots. Talk to your health care team to figure out the best method(s) for you and your partner.
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Do not breastfeed while taking this drug.
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This medication is unlikely to affect fertility (ability to get pregnant).
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Take it exactly as directed by your doctor.
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Swallow whole with a glass of water, with or without food.
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Take the dose at about the same time each day.
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Do not crush or open the capsules.
- Do not remove capsule(s) from blister packs until ready to take the dose.
- You may need capsules of more than 1 strength to have the correct dose. Ensure you identify the capsules correctly to get the right dose.
- If you miss a dose, take it if it is within 12 hours of the missed dose, otherwise skip and take your next dose as scheduled. Do not double the dose to make up for the forgotten one.
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This medication can interact with other medications and can result in the treatment not working as well or cause severe side effects.
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Make sure your health care team knows about all your medications (prescription, over-the-counter, herbals and supplements). Check with your health care team before starting or stopping any of them.
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For mild aches and pain or fever:
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
- You may take acetaminophen (Tylenol®) tablets. Ask your health care team about the right dose for you.
- Ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), naproxen (Aleve®) or aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA), including low dose aspirin for heart conditions, may increase your chance of bleeding. Talk to your health care team before you start or stop these medications.
- Talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room right away if you have a fever. See the Fever pamphlet for more information.
- If you feel unwell, take your temperature before taking any medications for pain or fever. They may hide a fever.
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Drinking alcohol and smoking during your treatment may increase some side effects and make your medication less effective. Speak to your health care team about smoking and drinking alcohol while on treatment.
- Do not donate blood or sperm during lenalidomide treatment and for 4 weeks after the last dose.
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Keep this medication in the original packaging at room temperature in a dry place, away from heat and light. Keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.
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Do not throw out any unused medications at home. Bring them to your pharmacy to be thrown away safely.
You may not have all of the side effects below. You may have side effects that are not listed.
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Fatigue (tiredness)
See our Fatigue pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Constipation To help prevent constipation :
To help treat constipation :
See the Constipation Pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Diarrhea May happen days to weeks after you get your treatment. If you have diarrhea :
See the Diarrhea pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Low platelets in the blood (may be severe)
See the Low Platelet Count pamphlet for more information. Fever, chills, infection (may be severe) You have a fever if your temperature taken in your mouth (oral temperature) is:
While you are getting treatment:
If you have a fever, talk to your health care team or go to the closest emergency room. |
Get emergency medical help right away | ||||
Headache; mild joint, muscle pain or cramps
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Mild swelling in arms and legs; puffiness To help prevent swelling :
If you have swelling in your legs, keep your feet up when sitting. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Cough; feeling short of breath You may have cough and feel short of breath without any signs of infection, such as a sore throat or a stuffed nose. Rarely this may be severe with chest pain, trouble breathing or coughing up blood. If this happens get medical help right away. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Nausea and vomiting (generally mild) May occur in hours to days after your treatment. If you have nausea or vomiting:
Also see Nausea & Vomiting pamphlet for more information. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
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Dizziness, tremors (shaky movements)
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
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Rash; dry, itchy skin Rash may be severe in some rare cases and cause your skin to blister or peel, or you may also have a fever and swollen glands. If this happens, get emergency medical help right away. To prevent and treat dry skin,
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Low appetite
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Eye problems
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Contact your health care team as soon as possible | ||||
Heartburn; stomach upset To help prevent heartburn:
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
High blood sugar
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Contact your health care team as soon as possible | ||||
Salt imbalances It may cause muscle twitching, severe weakness or cramping, confusion and irregular heartbeat. |
Get emergency medical help right away | ||||
Taste changes
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Depression Everyone feels sad sometimes and having cancer can cause you to feel down. Depression is when these feelings last for weeks or months. To help prevent depression :
If you have suicidal thoughts or think about hurting yourself, contact your health team or go to your closest Emergency Department right away. |
Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Trouble falling asleep
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe | ||||
Pains or cramps in the belly
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Contact your health care team if no improvement or if severe |
Other rare, but serious side effects are possible.
If you experience ANY of the following, speak to your cancer health care provider or get emergency medical help right away:
- Signs of low thyroid such as unusual weight gain, feeling tired or having low energy, dry skin, nails or hair that breaks easily, and sensitivity to cold
- Signs of overactive thyroid such as unusual weight loss, increased sweating and/or appetite, trouble sleeping, feeling irritable, rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath or coughing up blood
- Pain, swelling or hardening of a vein in the arm or leg
- Sudden loss of vision, difficulty speaking or moving arms or legs
- Severe pain and tenderness in the belly that may spread to your right shoulder or back
- Signs of liver problems such as yellowing of skin, eyes or dark urine
- Signs of kidney problems such as lower back pain, body swelling, passing little or no urine, or recent unusual weight gain
- Signs of an allergy such as severe rash, itchiness, swollen face, lip or tongue, chest or throat tightness
- Joint pain or swelling with fever, confusion, kidney problems
- Severe muscle pain or weakness and dark pee
- Symptoms of an organ transplant rejection or rare immune problems after a stem cell transplant (if these apply to you). Your doctor may discuss these with you.
- Second or new cancers (your doctor may discuss and monitor this with you.)
- Darkening skin, feeling tired, have low blood pressure (dizziness or fainting)
Who do I contact if I have questions or need help?My cancer health care provider is: ______________________________________________ During the day I should contact:________________________________________________ Evenings, weekends and holidays:______________________________________________
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Other Notes:
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May 2022 Updated/Revised info sheet
For more links on how to manage your symptoms go to www.cancercareontario.ca/symptoms.
The information set out in the medication information sheets, regimen information sheets, and symptom management information (for patients) contained in the Drug Formulary (the "Formulary") is intended to be used by health professionals and patients for informational purposes only. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or side effects of a certain drug, nor should it be used to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for a given condition.
A patient should always consult a healthcare provider if he/she has any questions regarding the information set out in the Formulary. The information in the Formulary is not intended to act as or replace medical advice and should not be relied upon in any such regard. All uses of the Formulary are subject to clinical judgment and actual prescribing patterns may not follow the information provided in the Formulary.