Revlimid therapy is associated with an increased risk of developing a new cancer, especially in older adults Results from a pivotal clinical trial have supported the use of Revlimid (lenalidomide) as maintenance therapy for patients with multiple myeloma.
Full Answer
What is Revlimid for multiple myeloma?
REVLIMID is the only multiple myeloma treatment FDA approved for maintenance therapy after an auto-HSCT. Clinical trials include 2 studies of REVLIMID as a maintenance therapy after an auto-HSCT.
How effective is Revlimid as maintenance therapy for colon cancer?
Study 2, conducted in Europe, showed that the median* PFS for patients on REVLIMID maintenance therapy was 1.9 years longer than for patients who received no maintenance therapy. Additional results of studies of REVLIMID as maintenance therapy.
What are the risks of taking Revlimid with dexamethasone?
This risk is even higher for people with multiple myeloma who take the medicine dexamethasone with REVLIMID. Heart attacks and strokes also happen more often in people who take REVLIMID with dexamethasone.
Is it safe to continue taking Revlimid?
Well actually, continuing with Revlimid might indeed be helpful versus something that is having a negative impact. And so, it’s not something that is a significant concern. One issue that can emerge is if the Revlimid is at a dosage where it is impacting the blood counts, particularly the white blood cell count level, or perhaps the platelets.
How long can you stay on Revlimid?
Revlimid is typically prescribed with the medication dexamethasone (Hemady). You'll usually continue with this dosage in 28-day cycles. And you'll likely keep taking Revlimid for as long as you tolerate the drug. If your condition worsens, your doctor may recommend stopping treatment.
What are the long term effects of Revlimid?
It's possible that Revlimid can cause long-term side effects. For example, this medication may cause: liver problems, such as liver failure. other types of cancer, such as skin cancer or leukemia.
What is the success rate of Revlimid?
Revlimid was given after recovery from tandem autologous transplants. After consolidation/maintenance with Revlimid, 88% of patients achieved at least a very good partial remission and 53% a complete remission. One-year survival was 92%.
How effective is Revlimid in treating multiple myeloma?
Patients who took REVLIMID and dexamethasone continuously had a 75% response rate compared to 73% of patients who took REVLIMID and dexamethasone for only 18 months and 62% of patients who took the combination of melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide.
What does Revlimid do to your body?
It works by slowing or stopping the growth of cancer cells. It is also used to treat anemia in patients with certain blood/bone marrow disorders (myelodysplastic syndromes-MDS). Lenalidomide may lessen the need for blood transfusions.
Does Revlimid affect memory?
Lenalidomide may induce particular cognitive disorders (notably episodic memory impairments) in some patients. The drug's putative neurotoxicity is probably promoted by specific risk factors (such as previous chemotherapy, prior mild cognitive impairment, age and the presence of cerebrovascular lesions).
Is Revlimid considered chemo?
Revlimid | Chemotherapy Drug Information | Chemocare.com.
How long has Revlimid been on the market?
first started marketing the drug Revlimid to treat multiple myeloma in 2006, the price was $6,195 for 21 capsules, a month's supply. By the time David Mitchell started taking Revlimid in November 2010, Celgene had bumped the price up to about $8,000 a month.
Can Revlimid cause other cancers?
Treatment of multiple myeloma with lenalidomide (Revlimid) as maintenance therapy is associated with an increased risk of second primary cancers, the FDA warned.
Is there an alternative to Revlimid?
Currently in the U.S., Thalomid is less commonly prescribed than its successor, Revlimid. However, Revlimid can cause low blood counts, and Thalomid has a smaller impact on the bone marrow's ability to make new blood cells. Thalomid may be a good alternative to Revlimid for patients with low blood cell counts.
When is the best time to take Revlimid?
REVLIMID is an oral medication taken once daily at about the same time each day, with or without food: You can take REVLIMID at home or wherever you choose. The recommended starting dose of REVLIMID is 25 mg/day for 21 days of a 28-day cycle; your doctor will tell you which dose is right for you.
What does maintenance mean in multiple myeloma?
Maintenance therapy refers to treatment given to patients after high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), while continuous therapy refers to treatment given to patients who do not go on to transplant after frontline therapy.
Low-dose Revlimid, Lenalidomide maintenance therapy (for MM) resulted in deeper remissions, longer PFS, longer OS yet caused a host of short, long-term and late stage side effects aka lower quality of life-
According to the study linked and excerpted below, the standard-of-care for newly diagnosed MM patients, maintenance Revlimid, Lenalidomide, helps you
Evaluation of the Clinical Efficacy and Prognosis of Long-Term Maintenance Lenalidomide Therapy in Patients with Multiple Myeloma
Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy and prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated by long-term maintenance lenalidomide treatment…
Is there a set time period for Revlimid?
While maintenance/continuous therapy with Revlimid® is the standard of care for treatment of multiple myeloma, there is currently no set time period for the optimal duration of maintenance.
Is Velcade better than Revlimid?
It also showed that it may be more effective for other high-risk abnormalities than Revlimid.
Does Revlimid prolong life?
While maintenance or continuous therapy with Revlimid is the current standard of care for patients with standard-risk myeloma, sub-group analyses of high-risk patients in clinical trials has established that Revlimid maintenance does not prolong overall survival for many patients with high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities.
What is Revlimid used for?
REVLIMID ® (lenalidomide) is a prescription medicine, used to treat adults with multiple myeloma (MM) in combination with the medicine dexamethasone, or as maintenance treatment after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (a type of stem cell transplant that uses your own stem cells).
How to take Revlimid?
Take REVLIMID at about the same time each day. Do not open the REVLIMID capsules or handle them any more than needed. If powder from the REVLIMID capsule comes in contact with: your skin, wash the skin right away with soap and water. inside of your eyes, nose, or mouth, flush well with water.
What happens if a woman gets pregnant with her sperm?
If a female becomes pregnant with your sperm, the baby may be exposed to REVLIMID and may be born with birth defects. Men: If a female becomes pregnant with your sperm, you should call your HCP right away. Low white blood cells (neutropenia) and low platelets (thrombocytopenia).
How to contact Celgene?
If your healthcare provider is not available, you can call Celgene Customer Care Center at 1-888-423-5436. Healthcare providers and patients should report all cases of pregnancy to: FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088, and. Celgene Corporation at 1-888-423-5436.
What causes TLS in kidneys?
TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment, abnormal heart rhythm, seizure, and sometimes death. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check you for TLS. Worsening of your tumor (tumor flare reaction).
What to tell your healthcare provider before taking Revlimid?
Before you take REVLIMID, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: have liver problems. have kidney problems or receive kidney dialysis treatment. have thyroid problems. have had a serious skin rash with thalidomide treatment.
What are the side effects of Revlimid?
inflammation of the stomach and intestine (“stomach flu”) nose bleed. shaking or trembling (tremor) joint aches. pain in your back or stomach area (abdomen) These are not all of the possible side effects of REVLIMID.
What is Revlimid?
Revlimid has active ingredients of lenalidomide. It is often used in multiple myeloma. eHealthMe is studying from 281,503 Revlimid users for its effectiveness, alternative drugs and more.
What is Multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma (cancer of the plasma cells) is found to be associated with 1,818 drugs and 1,002 conditions by eHealthMe.
How to use the study?
You can discuss the study with your doctor, to ensure that all drug risks and benefits are fully discussed and understood.
How the study uses the data?
The study is based on lenalidomide (the active ingredients of Revlimid) and Revlimid (the brand name). Other drugs that have the same active ingredients (e.g. generic drugs) are not considered. Dosage of drugs is not considered in the study neither.
Who is eHealthMe?
With medical big data and proven AI algorithms, eHealthMe provides a platform for everyone to run phase IV clinical trials. We study millions of patients and 5,000 more each day. Results of our real-world drug study have been referenced on 600+ peer-reviewed medical publications, including The Lancet, Mayo Clinic Proceedings, and Nature.
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WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.
