Lenalid 5 mg

Lenalid 5 mg (Lenalidomide) is an anti-cancer drug used in patients suffering from disorders or cancers of the blood. Lenalid 5mg (Lenalidomide) is preferably indicated for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a group of cancer wherein blood cells become immature leading to overcrowded unhealthy blood cells. Lenalidomide is speculated to work its action by stopping the growth of blood vessels that nourishes these cancerous cells (Anti-angiogenesis).

Additional properties of Lenalidomide:

• It affects the process of division and multiplication of cancerous cells (Cell-proliferation)
• It restricts the production of chemicals that are used in the communication of cancerous cells
• If triggers immune response thereby determining the working of the immune system (Immunomodulatory effects)
• It assists in altering the production of chemicals important for growth and survival of cancerous cells i.e. cytokines (Antineoplastic)
• It can affect the genes responsible for carrying out processes of self-destruction (apoptosis) and metabolism.

Administration of Lenalid 5 mg (Lenalidomide):

Lenalid 5mg (Lenalidomide) is given orally in a form of 10 mg dosage (2×5mg tablets) once daily in the morning or evening. Once swallowed, the dose is completely absorbed (bioavailable) within 6 hours of administration. Lenalidomide is further metabolized in the liver and distributed throughout the cancerous region. Once it completes its action, subsequently, more than 50% of the dose is expelled from the body within 3 to 5 hours predominantly in the form of urine (90%). In patients with kidney (renal) problems, approximately 40% of lenalidomide is excreted during a single dialysis session.

An initial dose of Lenalid 5mg (Lenalidomide) for renal impairment patients with MDS:

As the drug is not readily excreted from the kidney, the initial dosage of lenalidomide needs to be adjusted in patients with moderate or severe problems in the kidney with MDS. The adjustment is very crucial for appropriate drug exposure in such patients. The table below will show the initial dose of lenalidomide for patients in different stages of kidney problems with MDS.

Table: Starting dose of Lenalidomide for renal impairment patients with MDS 

When should Lenalid 5mg be avoided or used cautiously?

• If the patients had negative pregnancy tests (2) before taking lenalidomide, it is important to resist having sex for before and 4 weeks after treatment
• If patients have any sort of bleeding complications (hematologic toxicity), dose reduction or adjustment is highly recommended
• If patients have risks of heart problems (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism)
• If patients are suffering from a condition where the cancerous cells are overkilled, spraying their contents in the blood (tumor lysis syndrome)
• If patients have a risk of liver and kidney disease
• If patients are lactose intolerant, the dose should be altered accordingly as lenalidomide contains lactose
• If patients get allergic reactions from drugs or skin rashes, dose and frequency should be adjusted.

Most common side-effects of Lenalid 5 mg in MDS patients:

• Decrease in platelets (Thrombocytopenia)
• Fever with other signs of infection (Febrile neutropenia)
• Stomach problems like diarrhea, constipation
• Tiredness (Fatigue)
• Nausea
• Pain in back and muscles
• Irritation in nose and pharynx region in the neck (Nasopharyngitis)
• Shortness of breath (Dyspnea)
• Rashes on skin
• Continuous itchiness of skin (Pruritus)
• Swelling caused due to unwanted gathering of fluids (peripheral edema)
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Joint pain (Arthralgia)
• Increased temperature of the body (Pyrexia)
• Sudden bleeding through the nose (Epistaxis)

Note: These are not all side-effects of the drug, please ask your healthcare provider for more information.

Lenalid 5mg (Lenalidomide) is also available in these countries: (South East Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Republic of Kosovo, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Venezuela and Korea.) and many more…