Follow all of your doctor?s instructions carefully, even if they differ from the general information given in this leaflet.
DO NOT TAKE Revlimid
- if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, as Revlimid is expected to be harmful to an unborn child (see section 2, ?Take special care with Revlimid? and ?Pregnancy?).
- if you are able to become pregnant, unless you follow all the necessary measures to prevent you from becoming pregnant (see section 2 ?Take special care with Revlimid? and ?Pregnancy?). If you are able to become pregnant, your doctor will record with each prescription that the necessary measures have been taken and will provide you with this confirmation.
- if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to lenalidomide or any of the other ingredients of Revlimid listed in Section 6, ?What Revlimid contains?. If you think you may be allergic, ask your doctor for advice.
If any of these apply to you, tell your doctor before you take Revlimid.
Take special care with Revlimid
Please talk to your doctor in the following situations:
For women taking Revlimid
Before starting the treatment, you should ask your doctor if you are able to become pregnant, even if you think this is unlikely.
If you are able to become pregnant
- you will have pregnancy tests under the supervision of your doctor (before treatment, every 4 weeks during treatment, and 4 weeks after the treatment has finished) except in the case of confirmed tubal sterilisation AND
- you must use effective methods of contraception for 4 weeks before starting treatment, during treatment, and until 4 weeks after stopping treatment. Your doctor will advise you on appropriate methods of contraception.
For men taking Revlimid
Revlimid passes into human semen. If your female partner is pregnant or able to become pregnant, and she doesn?t use effective methods of contraception, you must use condoms, during treatment and 1 week after the end of treatment.
All patients
Before starting the treatment you should tell your doctor if you had blood clots in the past. During the treatment with Revlimid you have an increased risk of developing blood clots in the veins and arteries.
Before and during the treatment with Revlimid you will have regular blood tests as Revlimid may cause a fall in the blood cells that help fight infection and help the blood to clot. Your doctor should ask you to have a blood test:
- before treatment
- every week for the first 8 weeks of treatment
- at least every month after that. Your doctor may adjust your dose of Revlimid or stop your treatment based on the results of your blood tests and on your general condition.
Before you start treatment you should tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. Your doctor may adjust your dose of Revlimid based on this information.
You should not donate blood during treatment and for 1 week after the end of treatment.
At the end of the treatment you should return all unused capsules to the pharmacist.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist of all other medicines that you are taking or have recently taken, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Taking Revlimid with food and drink
The Revlimid capsules can be taken either with or without food (see Section 3, ?How and when to take the Revlimid capsule?).
Pregnancy
You must not take Revlimid if you are pregnant, as it is expected to be harmful for an unborn baby. In addition, you must not become pregnant while taking Revlimid.
Therefore you must use effective methods of contraception if you are a woman of childbearing potential (see Section 2, ?Take special care with Revlimid?).
If you do become pregnant during the treatment with Revlimid, you must stop the treatment and inform your doctor immediately.
For men taking Revlimid, please see section 2 ?Take special care with Revlimid?. If your partner becomes pregnant whilst you are taking Revlimid, you should inform your doctor immediately. It is recommended that your partner seeks medical advice.
Breast-feeding
You should not breastfeed when taking Revlimid, as it is not known if Revlimid passes into human milk.
Driving and using machines:
Do not drive or operate machines if you experience side effects, such as dizziness, tiredness, sleepiness or blurred vision.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Revlimid
Revlimid contains lactose (a type of sugar). If you have been told by your doctor that you have intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking Revlimid.