Never use Revlimid if you are pregnant. Even one dose of lenalidomide can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects or death of a baby if the mother or the father is taking this medicine at the time of conception or during pregnancy.
Use birth control to prevent pregnancy, whether you are a man or a woman. For women: Use two forms of birth control beginning 4 weeks before you start taking Revlimid and ending 4 weeks after you stop taking it. For men: Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment, and for up to 4 weeks after your treatment ends.
Revlimid may cause blood clots. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have symptoms such as sudden numbness, severe headache, problems with vision or speech, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, or swelling in your arm or leg.
Revlimid can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Call your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding, or signs of infection (fever, chills, body aches). You will need frequent blood tests while you are taking Revlimid.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Revlimid if you are allergic to lenalidomide.
Revlimid can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects or death of a baby if the mother or the father is taking this medicine at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Even one dose of lenalidomide can cause major birth defects of the baby's arms and legs, bones, ears, eyes, face, and heart. Never use Revlimid if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if your period is late while taking Revlimid.
For Women: If you have not had a hysterectomy, you will be required to use two reliable forms of birth control beginning 4 weeks before you start taking Revlimid and ending 4 weeks after you stop taking it. Even women with fertility problems are required to use birth control while taking this medicine. You must also have a negative pregnancy test at 10 to 14 days before treatment and again at 24 hours before. While you are taking Revlimid, you will have a pregnancy test every 2 to 4 weeks.
The birth control method you use must be proven highly effective, such as birth control pills, an intrauterine device (IUD), a tubal ligation, or a sexual partner's vasectomy. The extra form of birth control you use must be a barrier method such as a latex condom, a diaphragm, or a cervical cap.
Stop using Revlimid and call your doctor at once if you quit using birth control, if your period is late, or if you think you might be pregnant. Not having sexual intercourse (abstinence) is the most effective method of preventing pregnancy.
For Men: If a man fathers a baby while using Revlimid, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy during your treatment, and for up to 4 weeks after your treatment ends. You must agree in writing to always use latex condoms when having sex with a woman who is able to get pregnant, even if you have had a vasectomy. Contact your doctor if you have had unprotected sex, even once, or if you think your female sexual partner may be pregnant.
To make sure Revlimid is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
an allergic reaction to thalidomide;
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
a blood clots or stroke;
high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides;
a thyroid disorder; or
lactose intolerance.
Using Revlimid may increase your risk of developing other types of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.
You should not breast-feed while using Revlimid.
How should I take Revlimid?
Take Revlimid exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Never share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same disorder you have.
Take the medicine at the same time each day. You may take Revlimid with or without food.
Take each dose with a full glass of water. Swallow the capsule whole, without breaking it open.
Lenalidomide can increase your risk of bleeding or infection. Your blood will need to be tested often.
The medicine from an open capsule can be dangerous if it gets on your skin. If this occurs, wash your skin with soap and water. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to safely handle and dispose of a broken capsule.
Store Revlimid at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
