Lenalidomide

This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Revlimid

Brand Names: Canada

APO-Lenalidomide; JAMP-Lenalidomide; NAT-Lenalidomide; REDDY-Lenalidomide; Revlimid; SANDOZ Lenalidomide; TARO-Lenalidomide

Warning

  • Do not take this drug if you are pregnant. Use during pregnancy may cause birth defects or loss of the unborn baby.
  • You must have 2 pregnancy tests that show you are NOT pregnant before starting this drug. You must have pregnancy tests done while taking this drug. Talk with your doctor.
  • If you may become pregnant, you must either not have sex or you must use 2 kinds of birth control when you have sex. Do this for at least 4 weeks before starting this drug, during treatment and any treatment breaks, and for at least 4 weeks after your last dose. Call your doctor right away if you have sex without using 2 kinds of birth control, if you think you may be pregnant, or if you miss your period during this time frame.
  • This drug may lower the ability of the bone marrow to make blood cells that the body needs. If blood cell counts get very low, this can lead to bleeding problems, infections, or anemia. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
  • Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
  • The chance of blood clots may be raised in some people. Blood clots may be in the arms, legs, or lungs; heart attack; or stroke. You may need a blood thinner to prevent blood clots. Follow what your doctor has told you. Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; or pain, warmth, or swelling of the legs or arms. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of heart attack like chest pain that may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach; abnormal sweating; feeling sick; or throwing up. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of stroke like weakness on 1 side of the body; eyesight, speech, or balance problems; confusion; drooping on one side of the face; or severe headache.

What is this drug used for?

  • It is used to treat multiple myeloma.
  • It is used to treat lymphoma.
  • It is used to treat a health problem called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).
  • It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

  • If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
  • If you are lactose intolerant.
  • If you have a type of leukemia called chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In people with CLL, more deaths happened with this drug than with a certain other drug. Very bad heart problems also happened more often.
  • Smoking may raise the chance of blood clots while taking this drug. Tell your doctor if you smoke.
  • If you are taking pembrolizumab or nivolumab.
  • If you are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while you take this drug.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

  • Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
  • If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely. Tell your doctor if you get signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
  • You may have more chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
  • You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
  • Patients with cancer who take this drug may be at a greater risk of getting a severe health problem called tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). This may lead to death. Call your doctor right away if you have a fast or abnormal heartbeat; any passing out; trouble passing urine; muscle weakness or cramps; upset stomach, throwing up, diarrhea, or not able to eat; or feel sluggish.
  • A severe skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause severe health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
  • Severe and sometimes deadly liver problems have happened with this drug. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
  • A severe and sometimes deadly reaction has happened. Most of the time, this reaction has signs like fever, rash, or swollen glands with problems in body organs like the liver, kidney, blood, heart, muscles and joints, or lungs. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
  • Worsening of your tumor (tumor flare reaction) has happened with this drug. Sometimes, this has been deadly. Tell your doctor right away if you have swollen glands, fever, pain, or rash.
  • In people with mantle cell lymphoma, there may be a risk of early death with this drug. For more information, talk with your doctor.
  • If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
  • If your sex partner is pregnant or may get pregnant, always use a latex or synthetic condom during sex. Do this even if you have had a vasectomy. Use a latex or synthetic condom during treatment, during any breaks in treatment, and for at least 4 weeks after your last dose.
  • If you have unprotected sex with a partner who is or may get pregnant, or your partner gets pregnant within 4 weeks of your last dose, call your doctor right away.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

  • Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
  • Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
  • Signs of thyroid problems like change in weight; feeling nervous, excitable, restless, or weak; hair thinning; depression; eye or neck swelling; not able to focus; trouble with heat or cold; menstrual changes; shakiness; or sweating.
  • Signs of electrolyte problems like mood changes; confusion; muscle pain, cramps, or spasms; weakness; shakiness; change in balance; an abnormal heartbeat; seizures; loss of appetite; or severe upset stomach or throwing up.
  • Signs of dehydration like dry skin, mouth, or eyes; thirst; fast heartbeat; dizziness; fast breathing; or confusion.
  • Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
  • Not able to pass urine or change in how much urine is passed.
  • A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
  • Swelling.
  • Depression.
  • Swollen gland.
  • Change in eyesight.
  • New types of cancer have happened in people taking this drug. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

  • Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or decreased appetite.
  • Back, bone, joint, muscle, or neck pain.
  • Headache.
  • Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak.
  • Sweating a lot.
  • Signs of a common cold.
  • Nose or throat irritation.
  • Flu-like signs.
  • Change in taste.
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • Heartburn.
  • Shakiness.
  • Weight loss.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

  • Take this drug at the same time of day.
  • Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
  • You will need to take special care when handling this drug. Check with the doctor or pharmacist to see how to handle this drug.
  • Take with or without food.
  • Take with a full glass of water.
  • Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
  • Do not open the capsules.
  • People who are pregnant or of childbearing age must not touch the capsules.
  • If you touch a broken capsule, or the drug inside the capsule, wash the area with soap and water.
  • If a broken capsule or the drug inside the capsule touches your eyes, rinse your eyes right away with water.
  • Do not donate blood while using this drug and for 1 month after stopping.
  • Do not donate sperm while using this drug and for 1 month after stopping.
  • If you have upset stomach, throwing up, diarrhea, or decreased appetite, talk with your doctor. There may be ways to lower these side effects.
  • Talk with your doctor before getting any vaccines. Use of some vaccines with this drug may either raise the chance of an infection or make the vaccine not work as well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it and go back to your normal time.
  • If it has been 12 hours or more since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
  • Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

  • Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
  • Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

  • If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
  • Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
  • Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • This drug comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this drug is refilled. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2022-06-16

Copyright

© 2024 UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved.

Last Updated

Monday, December 12, 2022