Revlimid 20 mg hard capsules

Each capsule contains 20 mg of lenalidomide.

Excipient(s) with known effect:

Each capsule contains 244.5 mg of lactose, anhydrous.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Hard capsule.

Blue-green / Pale blue capsules, size 0, 21.7 mm, marked “REV 20 mg”.

 

Revlimid is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma who are not eligible for transplant (see section 4.2).

Revlimid treatment should be supervised by a physician experienced in the use of anti-cancer therapies.

Posology

Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone until disease progression in patients who are not eligible for transplant

Lenalidomide treatment must not be started if the Absolute Neutrophil Counts (ANC) is < 1.0 x 10⁹/L, and/or platelet counts are < 50 x 10⁹/L.

Recommended dose

The recommended starting dose of lenalidomide is 25 mg orally once daily on days 1-21 of repeated 28-day cycles. The recommended dose of dexamethasone is 40 mg orally once daily on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 of repeated 28-day cycles. Patients may continue lenalidomide and dexamethasone therapy until disease progression or intolerance. Dosing is continued or modified based upon clinical and laboratory findings (see section 4.4). For patients ≥75 years of age, the starting dose of dexamethasone is 20 mg/day on Days 1, 8, 15 and 22 of each 28-day treatment cycle. The recommended dose of lenalidomide for patients suffering from moderate renal impairment is 10 mg once daily.

Recommended dose adjustments during treatment and restart of treatment:

Dose adjustments, as summarised below, are recommended to manage grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, or other grade 3 or 4 toxicity judged to be related to lenalidomide.

• Dose reduction steps

	Lenalidomide	Dexamethasone
Starting dose	25 mg	40 mg
Dose level -1	20 mg	20 mg
Dose level -2	15 mg	12 mg
Dose level -3	10 mg	8 mg
Dose level- 4	5 mg	4 mg
Dose level-5	2.5 mg	NA

• Thrombocytopenia

When platelets	Recommended course
Fall to < 25 x 109/L	Stop lenalidomide dosing for remainder of cycleª
Return to ≥ 50 x 109/L	Decrease by one dose level when dosing resumed at next cycle

ª If Dose Limiting Toxicity (DLT) occurs on > Day15 of a cycle, lenalidomide dosing will be interrupted for at least the remainder of the current 28-day cycle.

• Neutropenia

When neutrophils	Recommended course
First fall to < 0.5 x 109/L	Interrupt lenalidomide treatment
Return to ≥ 1 x 109/L when neutropenia is the only observed toxicity	Resume lenalidomide at Starting dose once daily
Return to ≥ 0.5 x 109/L when dose-dependent haematological toxicities other than neutropenia are observed	Resume lenalidomide at Dose level -1 once daily
For each subsequent drop below < 0.5 x 109/L	Interrupt lenalidomide treatment
Return to ≥ 0.5 x 109/L	Resume lenalidomide at next lower dose level once daily.

In case of neutropenia, the use of growth factors in patient management should be considered.

If the dose of lenalidomide was reduced for a hematologic DLT, the dose of lenalidomide may be re-introduced to the next higher dose level (up to the starting dose) at the discretion of the treating physician if continued lenalidomide / dexamethasone therapy resulted in improved bone marrow function (no DLT for at least 2 consecutive cycles and an ANC ≥1,500/µL with a platelet count ≥ 100,000/µL at the beginning of a new cycle at the current dose level).

All patients

For other grade 3 or 4 toxicities judged to be related to lenalidomide, treatment should be stopped and only restarted at next lower dose level when toxicity has resolved to ≤ grade 2 depending on the physician's discretion.

Lenalidomide interruption or discontinuation should be considered for grade 2 or 3 skin rash. Lenalidomide must be discontinued for angioedema, grade 4 rash, exfoliative or bullous rash, or if Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is suspected, and should not be resumed following discontinuation from these reactions.

Special populations

Paediatric population

Revlimid should not be used in children and adolescents from birth to less than 18 years because of safety concerns (see section 4.4).

Older people

Currently available pharmacokinetic data are described in section 5.2. Lenalidomide has been used in clinical trials in multiple myeloma patients up to 91 years of age (see section 5.1).

In patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma aged 75 years and older who received lenalidomide, there was a higher incidence of serious adverse reactions and adverse reactions that led to treatment discontinuation (see section 4.4). Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma aged 75 years and older should be carefully assessed before treatment is considered (see section 4.4).

• Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

For patients older than 75 years of age treated with lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone, the starting dose of dexamethasone is 20 mg/day on Days 1, 8, 15 and 22 of each 28-day treatment cycle.

In clinical trials of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in transplant non eligible patients, lenalidomide combined therapy was less tolerated in the patients older than 75 years of age compared to the younger population. These patients discontinued at a higher rate due to intolerance (Grade 3 or 4 adverse events and serious adverse events), when compared to patients < 75years. (see Section 4.4).

Patients with renal impairment

Lenalidomide is substantially excreted by the kidney; patients with greater degrees of renal impairment can have impaired treatment tolerance (see section 4.4). Care should be taken in dose selection and monitoring of renal function is advised.

No dose adjustments are required for patients with mild renal impairment. The following dose adjustments are recommended at the start of therapy and throughout treatment for patients with moderate or severe impaired renal function or end stage renal disease. There are no Phase III trial experiences with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (CLcr < 30 ml/min, requiring dialysis).

• Multiple myeloma

Renal function (CLcr)	Dose adjustment (Days 1 to 21 of repeated 28- day cycles)
Moderate renal impairment (30 ≤ CLcr < 50 mL/min)	10 mg once daily1
Severe renal impairment (CLcr < 30 mL/min, not requiring dialysis)	7.5 mg once daily2 15 mg every other day
End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (CLcr < 30 mL/min, requiring dialysis)	5 mg once daily. On dialysis days, the dose should be administered following dialysis.

¹ The dose may be escalated to 15 mg once daily after 2 cycles if patient is not responding to treatment and is tolerating the treatment.

² In countries where the 7.5 mg capsule is available.

After initiation of lenalidomide therapy, subsequent lenalidomide dose modification in renally impaired patients should be based on individual patient treatment tolerance, as described above.

Patients with hepatic impairment

Lenalidomide has not formally been studied in patients with impaired hepatic function and there are no specific dose recommendations.

Method of administration

Oral use.

Revlimid capsules should be taken at about the same time on the scheduled days. The capsules should not be opened, broken or chewed. The capsules should be swallowed whole, preferably with water, either with or without food. If less than 12 hours has elapsed since missing a dose, the patient can take the dose. If more than 12 hours has elapsed since missing a dose at the normal time, the patient should not take the dose, but take the next dose at the normal time on the following day.

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients, listed in section 6.1.

• Women who are pregnant.

• Women of childbearing potential unless all of the conditions of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme are met (see sections 4.4 and 4.6).

Pregnancy warning

Lenalidomide is structurally related to thalidomide. Thalidomide is a known human teratogenic active substance that causes severe life-threatening birth defects. Lenalidomide induced in monkeys malformations similar to those described with thalidomide (see sections 4.6 and 5.3). If lenalidomide is taken during pregnancy, a teratogenic effect of lenalidomide in humans is expected.

The conditions of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme must be fulfilled for all patients unless there is reliable evidence that the patient does not have childbearing potential.

Criteria for women of non-childbearing potential

A female patient or a female partner of a male patient is considered to have childbearing potential unless she meets at least one of the following criteria:

• Age ≥ 50 years and naturally amenorrhoeic for ≥ 1 year*

• Premature ovarian failure confirmed by a specialist gynaecologist

• Previous bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, or hysterectomy

• XY genotype, Turner syndrome, uterine agenesis.

*Amenorrhoea following cancer therapy or during lactation does not rule out childbearing potential.

Counselling

For women of childbearing potential, lenalidomide is contraindicated unless all of the following are met:

• She understands the expected teratogenic risk to the unborn child

• She understands the need for effective contraception, without interruption, 4 weeks before starting treatment, throughout the entire duration of treatment, and 4 weeks after the end of treatment

• Even if a woman of childbearing potential has amenorrhea she must follow all the advice on effective contraception

• She should be capable of complying with effective contraceptive measures

• She is informed and understands the potential consequences of pregnancy and the need to rapidly consult if there is a risk of pregnancy

• She understands the need to commence contraceptive measures as soon as lenalidomide is dispensed following a negative pregnancy test

• She understands the need and accepts to undergo pregnancy testing every 4 weeks except in case of confirmed tubal sterilisation

• She acknowledges that she understands the hazards and necessary precautions associated with the use of lenalidomide.

For male patients taking lenalidomide, pharmacokinetic data has demonstrated that lenalidomide is present in human semen at extremely low levels during treatment and is undetectable in human semen 3 days after stopping the substance in the healthy subject (see section 5.2). As a precaution, all male patients taking lenalidomide must meet the following conditions:

• Understand the expected teratogenic risk if engaged in sexual activity with a pregnant woman or a woman of childbearing potential

• Understand the need for the use of a condom if engaged in sexual activity with a pregnant woman or a woman of childbearing potential not using effective contraception (even if the man has had a vasectomy), during treatment and for 1 week after dose interruptions and/or cessation of treatment.

• Understand that if his female partner becomes pregnant whilst he is taking Revlimid or shortly after he has stopped taking Revlimid, he should inform his treating physician immediately and that it is recommended to refer the female partner to a physician specialised or experienced in teratology for eva luation and advice.

The prescriber must ensure that for women of childbearing potential:

• The patient complies with the conditions of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme, including confirmation that she has an adequate level of understanding

• The patient has acknowledged the aforementioned conditions.

Contraception

Women of childbearing potential must use one effective method of contraception for 4 weeks before therapy, during therapy, and until 4 weeks after lenalidomide therapy and even in case of dose interruption unless the patient commits to absolute and continuous abstinence confirmed on a monthly basis. If not established on effective contraception, the patient must be referred to an appropriately trained health care professional for contraceptive advice in order that contraception can be initiated.

The following can be considered to be examples of suitable methods of contraception:

• Implant

• Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (IUS)

• Medroxyprogesterone acetate depot

• Tubal sterilisation

• Sexual intercourse with a vasectomised male partner only; vasectomy must be confirmed by two negative semen analyses

• Ovulation inhibitory progesterone-only pills (i.e. desogestrel)

Because of the increased risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with multiple myeloma taking lenalidomide in combination therapy, combined oral contraceptive pills are not recommended (see also section 4.5). If a patient is currently using combined oral contraception the patient should switch to one of the effective methods listed above. The risk of venous thromboembolism continues for 4−6 weeks after discontinuing combined oral contraception. The efficacy of contraceptive steroids may be reduced during co-treatment with dexamethasone (see section 4.5).

Implants and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems are associated with an increased risk of infection at the time of insertion and irregular vaginal bleeding. Prophylactic antibiotics should be considered particularly in patients with neutropenia.

Copper-releasing intrauterine devices are generally not recommended due to the potential risks of infection at the time of insertion and menstrual blood loss which may compromise patients with neutropenia or thrombocytopenia.

Pregnancy testing

According to local practice, medically supervised pregnancy tests with a minimum sensitivity of 25 mIU/mL must be performed for women of childbearing potential as outlined below. This requirement includes women of childbearing potential who practice absolute and continuous abstinence. Ideally, pregnancy testing, issuing a prescription and dispensing should occur on the same day. Dispensing of lenalidomide to women of childbearing potential should occur within 7 days of the prescription.

Prior to starting treatment

A medically supervised pregnancy test should be performed during the consultation, when lenalidomide is prescribed, or in the 3 days prior to the visit to the prescriber once the patient had been using effective contraception for at least 4 weeks. The test should ensure the patient is not pregnant when she starts treatment with lenalidomide.

Follow-up and end of treatment

A medically supervised pregnancy test should be repeated every 4 weeks, including 4 weeks after the end of treatment, except in the case of confirmed tubal sterilisation. These pregnancy tests should be performed on the day of the prescribing visit or in the 3 days prior to the visit to the prescriber.

Men

Lenalidomide is present in human semen at extremely low levels during treatment and is undetectable in human semen 3 days after stopping the substance in the healthy subject (see section 5.2). As a precaution, and taking into account special populations with prolonged elimination time such as renal impairment, all male patients taking lenalidomide should use condoms throughout treatment duration, during dose interruption and for 1 week after cessation of treatment if their partner is pregnant or of childbearing potential and not using effective contraception (even if the man has had a vasectomy).

Additional precautions

Patients should be instructed never to give this medicinal product to another person and to return any unused capsules to their pharmacist at the end of treatment.

Patients should not donate blood during therapy or for 1 week following discontinuation of lenalidomide.

Educational materials, prescribing and dispensing restrictions

In order to assist patients in avoiding foetal exposure to lenalidomide, the Marketing Authorisation Holder will provide educational material to health care professionals to reinforce the warnings about the expected teratogenicity of lenalidomide, to provide advice on contraception before therapy is started, and to provide guidance on the need for pregnancy testing. The prescriber must inform male and female patients about the expected teratogenic risk and the strict pregnancy prevention measures as specified in the Pregnancy Prevention Programme and provide patients with appropriate patient educational brochure, patient card and/or equivalent tool in accordance to the national implemented patient card system. A national controlled distribution system has been implemented in collaboration with each National Competent Authority. The controlled distribution system includes the use of a patient card and/or equivalent tool for prescribing and/or dispensing controls, and the collecting of detailed data relating to the indication in order to monitor closely the off-label use within the national territory. Ideally, pregnancy testing, issuing a prescription and dispensing should occur on the same day. Dispensing of lenalidomide to women of childbearing potential should occur within 7 days of the prescription and following a medically supervised negative pregnancy test result.

Other special warnings and precautions for use

Cardiovascular disorders

Myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction has been reported in patients receiving lenalidomide, particularly in those with known risk factors and within the first 12 months when used in combination with dexamethasone. Patients with known risk factors – including prior thrombosis – should be closely monitored, and action should be taken to try to minimize all modifiable risk factors (eg. smoking, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia).

Venous and arterial thromboembolic events

In patients with multiple myeloma, the combination of lenalidomide with dexamethasone is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (predominantly deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) and arterial thromboembolism (predominantly myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular event). Venous thromboembolism was seen to a lesser extent with lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma and with monotherapy in myelodysplastic syndromes. See sections 4.5 and 4.8.

Consequently, patients with known risk factors for thromboembolism – including prior thrombosis – should be closely monitored. Action should be taken to try to minimize all modifiable risk factors (e.g. smoking, hypertension, and hyperlipidaemia). Concomitant administration of erythropoietic agents or previous history of thromboembolic events may also increase thrombotic risk in these patients. Therefore, erythropoietic agents, or other agents that may increase the risk of thrombosis, such as hormone replacement therapy, should be used with caution in multiple myeloma patients receiving lenalidomide with dexamethasone. A haemoglobin concentration above 12 g/dl should lead to discontinuation of erythropoietic agents.

Patients and physicians are advised to be observant for the signs and symptoms of thromboembolism. Patients should be instructed to seek medical care if they develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, arm or leg swelling. Prophylactic antithrombotic medicines should be recommended, especially in patients with additional thrombotic risk factors. The decision to take antithrombotic prophylactic measures should be made after careful assessment of an individual patient's underlying risk factors.

If the patient experiences any thromboembolic events, treatment must be discontinued and standard anticoagulation therapy started. Once the patient has been stabilised on the anticoagulation treatment and any complications of the thromboembolic event have been managed, the lenalidomide treatment may be restarted at the original dose dependent upon a benefit risk assessment. The patient should continue anticoagulation therapy during the course of lenalidomide treatment.

Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia

The major dose limiting toxicities of lenalidomide include neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. A complete blood cell count, including white blood cell count with differential count, platelet count, haemoglobin, and haematocrit should be performed at baseline, every week for the first 8 weeks of lenalidomide treatment and monthly thereafter to monitor for cytopenias. A dose reduction may be required (see section 4.2). In case of neutropenia, the physician should consider the use of growth factors in patient management. Patients should be advised to promptly report febrile episodes. Co-administration of lenalidomide with other myelosuppressive agents should be undertaken with caution.

• Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in patients treated with lenalidomide in combination with low dose dexamethasone

Grade 4 neutropenia was observed in the lenalidomide arms in combination with low dose dexamethasone to a lesser extent than in the comparator arm (8.5% in the Rd [continuous treatment] and Rd18 [treatment for 18 four-week cycles] compared with 15% in the melphalan/prednisone/thalidomide arm, see section 4.8). Grade 4 febrile neutropenia episodes were consistent with the comparator arm (0.6 % in the Rd and Rd18 lenalidomide/dexamethasone-treated patients compared with 0.7% in the melphalan/prednisone/thalidomide arm, see section 4.8. Patients should be advised to promptly report febrile episodes and dose reductions may be required (see section 4.2).

Grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia was observed to a lesser extent in the Rd and Rd18 arms than in the comparator arm (8.1% vs 11.1%, respectively). Patients and physicians are advised to be observant for signs and symptoms of bleeding, including petechiae and epistaxes, especially in patients receiving concomitant medicinal products susceptible to induce bleeding (see section 4.8, Haemorrhagic disorders).

• Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in patients treated with lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone

The combination of lenalidomide with melphalan and prednisone in in clinical trials of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients is associated with a higher incidence of grade 4 neutropenia (34.1% in melphalan, prednisone and lenalidomide arm followed by lenalidomide (MPR+R) and melphalan, prednisone and lenaldiomide followed by placebo (MPR+p) treated patients compared with 7.8% in MPp+p-treated patients; see section 4.8). Grade 4 febrile neutropenia episodes were observed infrequently (1.7% in MPR+R/MPR+p treated patients compared to 0.0 % in MPp+p treated patients; see section 4.8).

The combination of lenalidomide with melphalan and prednisone in multiple myeloma patients is associated with a higher incidence of grade 3 and grade 4 thrombocytopenia (40.4% in MPR+R/MPR+p treated patients, compared with 13.7% in MPp+p-treated patients; see section 4.8). Patients and physicians are advised to be observant for signs and symptoms of bleeding, including petechiae and epistaxes, especially in patients receiving concomitant medications that increase susceptibility to bleeding (see section 4.8 Haemorrhagic disorders).

Infection with or without neutropenia

Patients with multiple myeloma are prone to develop infections including pneumonia. A higher rate of infections was observed with lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone than with MPT. Grade ≥ 3 infections occurred within the context of neutropenia in less than one-third of the patients. Patients with known risk factors for infections should be closely monitored. All patients should be advised to seek medical attention promptly at the first sign of infection (eg, cough, fever, etc) thereby allowing for early management to reduce severity.

Renal impairment

Lenalidomide is substantially excreted by the kidney. Therefore care should be taken in dose selection and monitoring of renal function is advised in patients with renal impairment (see section 4.2).

Thyroid disorders

Cases of hypothyroidism and cases of hyperthyroidism have been reported. Optimal control of co-morbid conditions influencing thyroid function is recommended before start of treatment. Baseline and ongoing monitoring of thyroid function is recommended.

Peripheral neuropathy

Lenalidomide is structurally related to thalidomide, which is known to induce severe peripheral neuropathy. There was no increase in peripheral neuropathy observed with long term use of lenalidomide for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Tumour lysis syndrome

Because lenalidomide has anti-neoplastic activity the complications of tumour lysis syndrome may occur. The patients at risk of tumour lysis syndrome are those with high tumour burden prior to treatment. These patients should be monitored closely and appropriate precautions taken.

Allergic reactions

Cases of allergic reaction/hypersensitivity reactions have been reported in patients treated with lenalidomide (see section 4.8). Patients who had previous allergic reactions while treated with thalidomide should be monitored closely, as a possible cross-reaction between lenalidomide and thalidomide has been reported in the literature.

Severe skin reactions

SJS and TEN have been reported. Lenalidomide must be discontinued for exfoliative or bullous rash, or if SJS or TEN is suspected, and should not be resumed following discontinuation for these reactions. Interruption or discontinuation of lenalidomide should be considered for other forms of skin reaction depending on severity. Patients with a history of severe rash associated with thalidomide treatment should not receive lenalidomide.

Lactose intolerance

Revlimid capsules contain lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicinal product.

Unused capsules

Patients should be advised never to give this medicinal product to another person and to return any unused capsules to their pharmacist at the end of the treatment.

Second primary malignancies

An increase of second primary malignancies (SPM) has been observed in clinical trials in previously treated myeloma patients receiving lenalidomide/dexamethasone (3.98 per 100 person-years) compared to controls (1.38 per 100 person-years). Non-invasive SPM comprise basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers. Most of the invasive SPMs were solid tumour malignancies.

In clinical trials of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients not eligible for transplant, a 4.9-fold increase in incidence rate of hematologic SPM (cases of AML, MDS) has been observed in patients receiving lenalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone until progression (1.75 per 100 person-years) compared with melphalan in combination with prednisone (0.36 per 100 person-years).

A 2.12-fold increase in incidence rate of solid tumor SPM has been observed in patients receiving lenalidomide (9 cycles) in combination with melphalan and prednisone (1.57 per 100 person-years) compared with melphalan in combination with prednisone (0.74 per 100 person-years).

In patients receiving lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone until progression or for 18 months, the hematologic SPM incidence rate (0.16 per 100 person-years) was not increased as compared to thalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone (0.79 per 100 person-years).

A 1.3-fold increase in incidence rate of solid tumor SPM has been observed in patients receiving lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone until progression or for 18 months (1.58 per 100 person-years) compared to thalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone (1.19 per 100 person-years).

In clinical trials of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients eligible for transplant, an increased incidence rate of hematologic SPM has been observed in patients receiving lenalidomide immediately following high-dose melphalan and Autologous Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) compared with patients who received placebo (1.27 to 1.56 versus 0.46 to 0.53 per 100 person-years, respectively). Cases of B-cell malignancies (including Hodgkin's lymphoma) observed in the clinical trials were in patients who received lenalidomide in the post-ASCT setting.

The risk of occurrence of hematologic SPM must be taken into account before initiating treatment with Revlimid either in combination with melphalan or immediately following high-dose melphalan and ASCT. Physicians should carefully eva luate patients before and during treatment using standard cancer screening for occurrence of SPM and institute treatment as indicated.

Hepatic disorders

Hepatic failure, including fatal cases, has been reported in patients treated with lenalidomide in combination therapy: acute hepatic failure, toxic hepatitis, cytolytic hepatitis, cholestatic hepatitis, and mixed cytolytic/cholestatic hepatitis have been reported. The mechanisms of severe drug-induced hepatotoxicity remain unknown although, in some cases, pre-existing viral liver disease, elevated baseline liver enzymes, and possibly treatment with antibiotics might be risk factors.

Abnormal liver function tests were commonly reported and were generally asymptomatic and reversible upon dosing interruption. Once parameters have returned to baseline, treatment at a lower dose may be considered.

Lenalidomide is excreted by the kidneys. It is important to dose adjust patients with renal impairment in order to avoid plasma levels which may increase the risk for higher haematological adverse reactions or hepatotoxicity. Monitoring of liver function is recommended, particularly when there is a history of or concurrent viral liver infection or when lenalidomide is combined with medicinal products known to be associated with liver dysfunction.

Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients

There was a higher rate of intolerance (grade 3 or 4 adverse events, serious adverse events, discontinuation) in patients with age > 75 years, ISS stage III, ECOG PS≤2 or CLcr<60 mL/min when lenalidomide is given in combination. Patients should be carefully assessed for their ability to tolerate lenalidomide in combination, with consideration to age, ISS stage III, ECOG PS≤2 or CLcr<60 mL/min (see section 4.2 and 4.8).

Cataract

Cataract has been reported with a higher frequency in patients receiving lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone particularly when used for a prolonged time. Regular monitoring of visual ability is recommended.

Erythropoietic agents, or other agents that may increase the risk of thrombosis, such as hormone replacement therapy, should be used with caution in multiple myeloma patients receiving lenalidomide with dexamethasone (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).

Oral contraceptives

No interaction study has been performed with oral contraceptives. Lenalidomide is not an enzyme inducer. In an in vitro study with human hepatocytes, lenalidomide, at various concentrations tested did not induce CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and CYP3A4/5. Therefore, induction leading to reduced efficacy of medicinal products, including hormonal contraceptives, is not expected if lenalidomide is administered alone. However, dexamethasone is known to be a weak to moderate inducer of CYP3A4 and is likely to also affect other enzymes as well as transporters. It may not be excluded that the efficacy of oral contraceptives may be reduced during treatment. Effective measures to avoid pregnancy must be taken (see sections 4.4 and 4.6).

Warfarin

Co-administration of multiple doses of 10 mg of lenalidomide had no effect on the single dose pharmacokinetics of R- and S- warfarin. Co-administration of a single 25 mg dose of warfarin had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of lenalidomide. However, it is not known whether there is an interaction during clinical use (concomitant treatment with dexamethasone). Dexamethasone is a weak to moderate enzyme inducer and its effect on warfarin is unknown. Close monitoring of warfarin concentration is advised during the treatment.

Digoxin

Concomitant administration with lenalidomide 10 mg/day increased the plasma exposure of digoxin (0.5 mg, single dose) by 14% with a 90% CI (confidence interval) [0.52%-28.2%]. It is not known whether the effect will be different in the therapeutic situation (higher lenalidomide doses and concomitant treatment with dexamethasone). Therefore, monitoring of the digoxin concentration is advised during lenalidomide treatment.

Statins

There is an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis when statins are administered with lenalidomide, which may be simply additive. Enhanced clinical and laboratory monitoring is warranted notably during the first weeks of treatment.

Dexamethasone

Co-administration of single or multiple doses of dexamethasone (40 mg/ day) has no clinically relevant effect on the multiple dose pharmacokinetics of lenalidomide (25 mg/ day).

Interactions with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors

In vitro, lenalidomide is a substrate of P-gp, but is not a P-gp inhibitor. Co-administration of multiple doses of the strong P-gp inhibitor quinidine (600 mg, twice daily) or the moderate P-gp inhibitor/substrate temsirolimus (25 mg) has no clinically relevant effect on the pharmacokinetics of lenalidomide (25 mg). Co-administration of lenalidomide does not alter the pharmacokinetics of temsirolimus.

Women of childbearing potential / Contraception in males and females

Women of childbearing potential should use effective method of contraception. If pregnancy occurs in a woman treated with lenalidomide, treatment must be stopped and the patient should be referred to a physician specialised or experienced in teratology for eva luation and advice. If pregnancy occurs in a partner of a male patient taking lenalidomide, it is recommended to refer the female partner to a physician specialised or experienced in teratology for eva luation and advice.

Lenalidomide is present in human semen at extremely low levels during treatment and is undetectable in human semen 3 days after stopping the substance in the healthy subject (see section 5.2). As a precaution, and taking into account special populations with prolonged elimination time such as renal impairment, all male patients taking lenalidomide should use condoms throughout treatment duration, during dose interruption and for 1 week after cessation of treatment if their partner is pregnant or of childbearing potential and has no contraception.

Pregnancy

Lenalidomide is structurally related to thalidomide. Thalidomide is a known human teratogenic active substance that causes severe life-threatening birth defects.

Lenalidomide induced in monkeys malformations similar to those described with thalidomide (see section 5.3). Therefore, a teratogenic effect of lenalidomide is expected and lenalidomide is contraindicated during pregnancy (see section 4.3).

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether lenalidomide is excreted in human milk. Therefore breast-feeding should be discontinued during therapy with lenalidomide.

Fertility

A fertility study in rats with lenalidomide doses up to 500 mg/kg (approximately 200 to 500 times the human doses of 25 mg and 10 mg, respectively, based on body surface area) produced no adverse effects on fertility and no parental toxicity.

Lenalidomide has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Fatigue, dizziness, somnolence and blurred vision have been reported with the use of lenalidomide. Therefore, caution is recommended when driving or operating machines.