Precautions

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

It is very important that your doctor check your progress closely at regular visits to see if the medicine is working properly and to allow for a change in the dose. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for any unwanted effects.

Women should take the necessary precautions to avoid pregnancy while using lenalidomide. Begin 2 forms of reliable contraception 4 weeks before starting lenalidomide. Continue contraceptive measures during treatment and for at least 4 weeks after the last dose. Routine pregnancy tests are necessary with this medicine. Call your doctor for emergency contraception information if you think you are pregnant.

Men, even those who have had a vasectomy, must prevent pregnancy in their sexual partners during treatment with this medicine and for at least 4 weeks after the last dose. Do not donate sperm while using this medicine. Call your doctor for emergency contraception information if you think your sexual partner may be pregnant.

Do not donate blood during treatment and for at least 4 weeks after the last dose.

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 clots. Check with your doctor right away if you have anxiety, chest pain, fainting, a fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, or pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg.

This medicine may increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is more likely to occur if you already have a heart disease, high cholesterol, or if you smoke. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, fast or irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck, sweating, or trouble breathing.

Do not receive pembrolizumab together with dexamethasone and lenalidomide or similar medicines if you have multiple myeloma.

Serious liver problems can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow skin or eyes.

Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have black, tarry stools, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chest pain, chills, cough, diarrhea, itching, joint or muscle pain, painful or difficult urination, red irritated eyes, red skin lesions, often with a purple center, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips, swollen glands, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness while you are using this medicine.

Lenalidomide may cause a serious type of reaction called tumor lysis syndrome. 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.

This medicine may increase your risk of getting certain cancers (eg, acute myelogenous leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome). Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

This medicine may cause a tumor flare reaction. Tell your doctor if you have swollen and painful lymph nodes, a mild fever, pain, or a rash.

This medicine may cause a serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs, trouble breathing, or trouble swallowing after using this medicine.

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.