Lenalidomide (Oral Route)

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Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely while you are using this medicine to see if it is working properly and to allow for a change in the dose. Blood tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects. Keep all appointments with your doctor for the tests.

You should take the necessary precautions to avoid pregnancy while taking lenalidomide. Use one highly effective form of birth control (e.g., pills, implants, patch, IUD) plus an additional effective form of birth control (e.g., latex condom, cervical cap, diaphragm) at the same time, if abstinence is not the chosen method. Begin this 4 weeks before starting lenalidomide and continue it for 4 weeks after stopping the medicine.

Your doctor will want to see you every 4 weeks for pregnancy tests if you have a regular menstrual cycle, and every 2 weeks if you have an irregular cycle.

For male patients:

• Male patients, even those who have had a vasectomy, must use a latex condom during sexual contact with a female patient.
• Do not donate semen or sperm while taking this medicine.

Call your doctor or 1-888-668-2528 for emergency contraception information if you think you are pregnant or, for males, if you think that your sexual partner may be pregnant.

Do not donate blood while taking lenalidomide.

You should not share this medicine with anyone, even if someone else has similar symptoms.

This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.

This medicine may increase your risk of having blood clotting problems. Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms while taking this medicine: anxiety, chest pain, fainting, fast heartbeat, sudden shortness of breath or troubled breathing, or pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg.

Serious skin reactions can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, red skin lesions, severe acne or skin rash, sores or ulcers on the skin, or fever or chills while you are using this medicine.

Lenalidomide may cause a serious type of reaction called tumor lysis syndrome. Your doctor may give you a medicine to help prevent this. Call your doctor right away if you have a decrease or change in urine amount, joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, lower back, side, or stomach pain, a rapid weight gain, swelling of the feet or lower legs, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of liver problems, such as dark-colored urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in your upper stomach, or yellow skin or eyes.

This medicine may increase your risk of getting certain cancers (e.g., acute myelogenous leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma). Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

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