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.
Multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, mantle cell lymphoma, and follicular lymphoma.
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.
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-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.
You are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking LENALIDOMIDE as it might cause increased dizziness.
LENALIDOMIDE 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.
Avoid breastfeeding while taking LENALIDOMIDE as it is unknown if LENALIDOMIDE passes into breastmilk.
LENALIDOMIDE may cause dizziness, sleepiness, and blurred vision. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery unless you are alert.
Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Dose adjustment may be necessary. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
LENALIDOMIDE is not recommended for children below 18years as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
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.