Revlimid and Anemia

• Generic Name: lenalidomide
• Dosage Forms: capsule
• Other Brand Names: Revlimid

Revlimid (lenalidomide) affects the immune system. It promotes immune responses to help slow tumor growth.

Revlimid is used to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer), either in combination with another medicine or after stem cell transplant.

Revlimid is also used to treat anemia (a lack of red blood cells) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome caused by an abnormal chromosome. This disorder is also called deletion 5q MDS, because part of chromosome 5 is missing. In people with this disorder, the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells.

Revlimid is also used to treat mantle cell lymphoma (a rare cancer of the lymph nodes), after other medications have been tried without success.

Revlimid should not be used for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) unless you are in a controlled medical study. Lenalidomide can increase the risk of death from serious heart problems in people with CLL.

This medicine is available only from a certified pharmacy under a special program called Revlimid REMS. Your doctor must be registered in the program in order to prescribe lenalidomide for you. You must be registered in the program and sign documents stating that you understand the dangers of this medication and that you agree to use birth control measures as required by the program.