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What Is Lenalidomide?

Lenalidomide is a prescription thalidomide analogue. Current generic U.S. labeling includes multiple myeloma in combination with dexamethasone, maintenance therapy after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and transfusion-dependent anemia from low- or intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes with a deletion 5q abnormality.

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What Is Lenalidomide?

Lenalidomide is a prescription thalidomide analogue. Current generic U.S. labeling includes multiple myeloma in combination with dexamethasone, maintenance therapy after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and transfusion-dependent anemia from low- or intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes with a deletion 5q abnormality.

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How Does Lenalidomide Work?

Lenalidomide binds cereblon, a component of an E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, and changes degradation of selected regulatory proteins. Its actions include antineoplastic, immunomodulatory, and antiangiogenic effects.

Who Is Treated With Lenalidomide?

Lenalidomide is used in adults under the multiple myeloma and deletion 5q myelodysplastic syndrome criteria in current generic labeling. Pregnancy is contraindicated. Distribution is restricted through the Lenalidomide REMS program due to severe embryo-fetal risk.

How Is Lenalidomide Dosed?

Multiple myeloma combination therapy starts at 25 mg once daily on days 1 through 21 of repeated 28-day cycles with dexamethasone. Maintenance after autologous stem cell transplantation starts at 10 mg once daily continuously on days 1 through 28 of each cycle. Deletion 5q myelodysplastic syndrome uses 10 mg once daily. Kidney impairment requires dose adjustment.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Lenalidomide?

Lenalidomide carries boxed warnings for embryo-fetal toxicity, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, and venous and arterial thromboembolism. Other serious concerns include second primary malignancies, hepatotoxicity, severe skin reactions, tumor lysis syndrome, hypersensitivity, and impaired stem cell mobilization.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lenalidomide

What conditions does current generic lenalidomide labeling include?

Current generic labeling includes multiple myeloma and transfusion-dependent anemia from selected deletion 5q myelodysplastic syndromes.

What is the starting dose with dexamethasone for multiple myeloma?

The recommended starting dose is 25 mg once daily on days 1 through 21 of each 28-day cycle.

Why is lenalidomide restricted through a REMS program?

Lenalidomide can cause severe birth defects or embryo-fetal death, so prescribing and dispensing are restricted through the Lenalidomide REMS program.

Does lenalidomide have boxed warnings?

Yes. The boxed warnings cover embryo-fetal toxicity, hematologic toxicity, and venous and arterial thromboembolism.

References

DailyMed - LENALIDOMIDE capsule. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=da7b5dda-79ed-4c4a-88aa-52394fdc7c54. Date Accessed October 8, 2026.

Lenalidomide. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a608001.html. Date Accessed October 8, 2026.

Lenalidomide. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/lenalidomide. Date Accessed October 8, 2026.

Lenalidomide. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/216326. Date Accessed October 8, 2026.

REVLIMID (lenalidomide) Prescribing Information. Bristol Myers Squibb. https://packageinserts.bms.com/pi/pi_revlimid.pdf. Date Accessed October 8, 2026.