Revlimid is the brand name for the active substance Lenalidomide. It is used to treat cancer. Its application is carried out together with another drug called dexamethasone (anti-inflammatory) for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma; This is a type of cancer of the plasma cells of the bone marrow.
Due to the atypical nature of this type of cancer, revlimid was declared an "orphan" drug (that is how the drugs used in rare diseases are called) in 2003. It should be noted that this medicine can only be sold with a prescription.
Revlimid comes in 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, and 25 mg capsules. This drug acts as an immunomodulator, that is, it affects the activity of the immune system; acting in several different ways in multiple myeloma: interfering with the evolution of tumor cells, preventing the growth of blood vessels in tumors, and stimulating some of the specialized cells of the immune system to attack cancer cells.
Revlimid treatment should be under medical supervision, your medication should be applied by a specialist with experience in multiple myelomas. This drug is taken in repeated cycles of 28 days. The recommended dose is 25mg per day. It can be taken with or without food, as long as it is done at the same time. Take each dose with plenty of water; it is recommended to swallow the capsule whole (the capsule should not be opened); The medicine from an open capsule can be harmful if it comes into contact with the skin. If this occurs, it is recommended to wash your skin with soap and water.
Revlimid no debe ser utilizado por mujeres embarazadas, ya que su principio activo lenalidomide puede causar defectos de nacimiento en los bebés, o causarle la muerte. Del mismo modo no debe ser utilizado si se está amamantando. Los hombres no deben permitir que ninguna mujer quede embarazada de ellos si están en tratamiento con revlimid, ya que este fármaco puede afectar los espermatozoides y causar defectos en los bebés.
It is important for people to know that during treatment with revlimid there may be decreases in blood cells, which are the ones that help the body fight infections and allow the blood to clot. Therefore see your doctor immediately if symptoms of infection or unusual bleeding appear.
Some of the side effects present during treatment are: fever, flu symptoms, bruising, dark urine, unusual bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina and rectum; feeling tired, itchy, diarrhea.
