lenalidomide Oral

This medication is used to treat anemia in patients with certain blood/bone marrow disorders (myelodysplastic syndromes-MDS). These patients do not have enough properly working red blood cells. They often require blood transfusions to reverse their anemia. Lenalidomide may decrease the need for treatment with blood transfusions. This medication may also be used to treat a certain type of cancer (multiple myeloma).
Lenalidomide is a type of drug known as an immunomodulator. It is believed to work by decreasing the immune system\'s response, thereby lowering the number of working red blood cells that are destroyed naturally by the body.

How to use lenalidomide Oral
This medication must be used only within the RevAssist guidelines in order to avoid any possible exposure of an unborn baby to the drug. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using lenalidomide and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Before starting therapy, women of childbearing age should have two negative pregnancy tests before taking the drug. (See Warning section.)
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Swallow this medication whole with water. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, and laboratory test results. Be sure to follow your doctor\'s directions carefully.
Do not open, chew, or break the capsules, or handle them any more than needed. If any of the powder from the capsule gets on your skin, wash the area with soap and water.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from broken capsules. All people should wash their hands thoroughly after handling this drug.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same time each day.
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

See also Warning section.
Diarrhea, tiredness, dizziness, dry skin, constipation, stomach pain, vomiting, dry mouth, unpleasant taste, loss of appetite, headache, trouble sleeping, or painful urination may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes, pounding heartbeat.
People with multiple myeloma who are treated with this medication may rarely get other cancers (such as acute leukemia, tumors). Consult your doctor for more details.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking lenalidomide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to thalidomide; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease.
This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be at a greater risk for side effects while using lenalidomide.
Because lenalidomide can cause severe birth defects or death to an unborn baby, several precautions are noted below.
Do not donate blood while using lenalidomide and for 4 weeks after stopping this drug.
Males - This medication passes into semen. Therefore, while using lenalidomide and for 4 weeks after stopping the medication, do not donate sperm, and always use a latex condom when having sexual intercourse with a woman of childbearing age, even if you have had a vasectomy.
Use two forms of effective birth control together for at least 4 weeks before beginning lenalidomide treatment, during lenalidomide treatment, and for 4 weeks after stopping lenalidomide, or avoid intercourse completely during this period. Reliable birth control is necessary even if you have been unable to get pregnant in the past. Consult your doctor for more information about the right forms of birth control to use during this therapy.
Immediately tell your doctor if your period is late or if you have abnormal vaginal (menstrual) bleeding.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from broken capsules.
Lenalidomide must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Even a single dose of lenalidomide taken during pregnancy can cause severe birth defects. If pregnancy does occur during treatment, this drug must be stopped immediately.
It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the potential for serious reactions in nursing infants, breast-feeding is not recommended while using lenalidomide.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor\'s approval.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

NOTES:
Do not share this medication with others.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., complete blood counts, kidney/liver function) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
If you are a woman with regular periods, test for pregnancy before treatment, weekly during the first 4 weeks of treatment, then every 4 weeks thereafter. If you have irregular periods, test every 2 weeks.

MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember if it is less than 12 hours after the time you would usually take it. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Information last revised July 2012. Copyright(c) 2012 First Databank, Inc.