lenalidomide at a glance
Medicine class
Immunomodulatory anticancer treatment acting through cereblon.
Licensed roles
Multiple myeloma maintenance or combination treatment, and combination treatment for previously treated follicular lymphoma.
Administration
Swallow the hard capsule whole with water, with or without food.
Key safeguards
Pregnancy-prevention controls and regular blood monitoring are essential.
What is lenalidomide used for?
The selected product is licensed for adults in these settings:
Maintenance treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma after autologous stem-cell transplantation.
Combination treatment of previously untreated multiple myeloma when transplantation is unsuitable.
Combination treatment of multiple myeloma after previous therapy.
With rituximab for previously treated grade 1–3a follicular lymphoma.
How does lenalidomide work?
Lenalidomide binds cereblon, causing proteins including Ikaros and Aiolos to be marked for destruction. This can suppress susceptible tumour cells and modify immune-cell activity.
lenalidomide preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 25 mg
How to take lenalidomide
Follow the specialist team's instructions.
Swallow the capsule whole with water, with or without food; do not open, break or chew it.
Press one end of the capsule when removing it from the blister to reduce breakage.
Never share capsules. Return unused capsules to a pharmacist for safe disposal.
lenalidomide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Reduced neutrophils or other white blood cells
- Reduced platelets
- Anaemia
- Infections
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Tiredness
- Rash or itching
- Cough
- Muscle cramps or musculoskeletal pain
Get urgent medical advice
- Fever, chills or other signs of infection
- Chest pain, sudden breathlessness, coughing blood, or swelling and pain in a limb
- Unusual bruising, nosebleeds or other bleeding
- Facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or collapse
- Blistering, peeling or widespread rash, particularly with fever
- New weakness, visual change, confusion or altered behaviour
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or severe abdominal pain
lenalidomide in pregnancy
Lenalidomide is expected to cause severe birth defects and is contraindicated during pregnancy. It is supplied under a Pregnancy Prevention Programme requiring specialist counselling, effective contraception and supervised pregnancy testing for people who could become pregnant. Male patients may also need condoms because small amounts enter semen. Contact the treating team immediately if pregnancy occurs or is suspected.
lenalidomide while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether lenalidomide enters breast milk. Breastfeeding should stop during treatment; discuss feeding options with the specialist team.
lenalidomide interactions
The specialist team should review all prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary treatments.
Warfarin
Closer anticoagulation monitoring is advised, particularly when dexamethasone is also used.
Digoxin
Lenalidomide may increase digoxin exposure, so blood-level monitoring may be needed.
Statins
Combined use may increase muscle injury or rhabdomyolysis risk, requiring clinical and laboratory monitoring.
Erythropoietic agents or hormone-replacement therapy
These may increase blood-clot risk, particularly with dexamethasone-containing treatment.
Common questions about lenalidomide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What cancers is lenalidomide licensed to treat?
It is licensed for specified multiple myeloma settings and, with rituximab, previously treated grade 1–3a follicular lymphoma.
Can lenalidomide be taken with food?
Yes. The capsule may be taken with or without food.
Can lenalidomide capsules be opened or crushed?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.