Lenalidomide BOS contains the active substance ‘lenalidomide’. This medicine belongs to a group of medicines which affect how your immune system works.

What Lenalidomide BOS is used for

Lenalidomide BOS is used in adults for:

·         Multiple myeloma

·         Myelodysplastic syndromes

·         Mantle cell lymphoma

·         Follicular lymphoma

Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer which affects a certain kind of white blood cell, called the plasma cell. These cells collect in the bone marrow and divide, becoming out of control. This can damage the bones and kidneys.

Multiple myeloma generally cannot be cured. However, the signs and symptoms can be greatly reduced or disappear for a period of time. This is called a ‘response’.

Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma – in patients who have had a bone marrow transplant

Lenalidomide BOS is used on its own as a maintenance therapy after patients have recovered enough following a bone marrow transplant.

Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma – in patients who cannot have a bone marrow transplant

Lenalidomide BOS is taken with other medicines. These may include:

·         a chemotherapy medicine called ‘bortezomib’

·         an anti-inflammatory medicine called ‘dexamethasone’

·         a chemotherapy medicine called ‘melphalan’ and

·         an immunosuppressant medicine called ‘prednisone’.

You will take these other medicines at the start of treatment and then continue to take Lenalidomide BOS on its own.

If you are aged 75 years or older or have moderate to severe kidney problems - your doctor will check you carefully before starting treatment.

Multiple myeloma – in patients who have had treatment before

Lenalidomide BOS is taken together with an anti-inflammatory medicine called ‘dexamethasone’.

Lenalidomide BOS can stop the signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma getting worse. It has also been shown to delay multiple myeloma from coming back following treatment.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)

MDS are a collection of many different blood and bone marrow diseases. The blood cells become abnormal and do not function properly. Patients can experience a variety of signs and symptoms including a low red blood cell count (anaemia), the need for a blood transfusion, and be at risk of infection.

Lenalidomide BOS is used alone to treat adult patients who have been diagnosed with MDS, when all of the following apply:

·         you need regular blood transfusions to treat low levels of red blood cells (‘transfusion-dependent anaemia’)

·         you have an abnormality of cells in the bone marrow called an ‘isolated deletion 5q cytogenetic abnormality’. This means your body does not make enough healthy blood cells

·         other treatments have been used before, are not suitable or do not work well enough.

Lenalidomide BOS can increase the number of healthy red blood cells that the body produces by reducing the number of abnormal cells:

·         this can reduce the number of blood transfusions needed. It is possible that no transfusions will be needed.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL)

MCL is a cancer of part of the immune system (the lymph tissue). It affects a type of white blood cell called ‘B-lymphocytes’ or B-cells. MCL is a disease where B-cells grow in an uncontrolled way and build up in the lymph tissue, bone marrow or blood.

Lenalidomide BOS is used alone to treat adult patients who have previously been treated with other medicines.

Follicular lymphoma (FL)

FL is a slow growing cancer that affects the B-lymphocytes. These are a type of white blood cells that help your body fight infection. When you have FL, too many of these B-lymphocytes may collect in your blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes and spleen.

Lenalidomide BOS is taken together with another medicine called ‘rituximab’ for the treatment of adult patients with previously treated follicular lymphoma.

How Lenalidomide BOS works

Lenalidomide BOS works by affecting the body’s immune system and directly attacking the cancer. It works in a number of different ways:

·         by stopping the cancer cells developing

·         by stopping blood vessels growing in the cancer

·         by stimulating part of the immune system to attack the cancer cells

You must read the package leaflet of all medicinal products to be taken in combination with Lenalidomide BOS before starting treatment with Lenalidomide BOS.

Do not take Lenalidomide BOS:

·         if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to become pregnant, as lenalidomide is expected to be harmful to an unborn child (see section 2, ‘Pregnancy, breast-feeding and contraception – information for women and men’).

·         if you are able to become pregnant, unless you follow all the necessary measures to prevent you from becoming pregnant (see section 2, ‘Pregnancy, breast-feeding and contraception – information for women and men’). If you are able to become pregnant, your doctor will record with each prescription that the necessary measures have been taken and provide you with this confirmation.

·         if you are allergic to lenalidomide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine listed in section 6. If you think you may be allergic, ask your doctor for advice.

If any of these apply to you, do not take Lenalidomide BOS. Talk to your doctor if you are not sure.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Lenalidomide BOS if:

·         you have had blood clots in the past - you have an increased risk of developing blood clots in the veins and arteries during treatment

·         you have any signs of an infection, such as a cough or fever

·         you have or have ever had previous viral infection, particularly: hepatitis B infection, varicella zoster, HIV. If you are in doubt, talk to your doctor. Treatment with Lenalidomide BOS may cause the virus to become active again, in patients who carry the virus. This results in a recurrence of the infection. Your doctor should check whether you have ever had hepatitis B infection

·         you have kidney problems - your doctor may adjust your dose of Lenalidomide BOS

·         you have had a heart attack, have ever had a blood clot, or if you smoke, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels

·         you have had an allergic reaction whilst taking thalidomide (another medicine used to treat multiple myeloma) such as rash, itching, swelling, dizziness or trouble breathing

·         you have experienced in the past a combination of any of the following symptoms: widespread rash, red skin, high body temperature, flu-like symptoms, liver enzyme elevations, blood abnormalities (eosinophilia), enlarged lymph nodes – these are signs of a severe skin reaction called Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms which is also known as DRESS or drug hypersensitivity syndrome. (see also section 4 “Possible side effects”).

If any of the above apply to you, tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before starting treatment.

At any time during or after your treatment, tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you:

·         experience blurred, loss of or double vision, difficulty speaking, weakness in an arm or a leg, a change in the way you walk or problems with your balance, persistent numbness, decreased sensation or loss of sensation, memory loss or confusion. These may all be symptoms of a serious and potentially fatal brain condition known as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). If you had these symptoms prior to treatment with Lenalidomide BOS, tell your doctor about any change in these symptoms.

·         experience shortness of breath, tiredness, dizziness, pain in the chest, a faster heartbeat, or swelling in the legs or ankles. These may be symptoms of a serious condition known as pulmonary hypertension (see section 4).

Tests and checks

Before and during the treatment with Lenalidomide BOS you will have regular blood tests. This is because Lenalidomide BOS may cause a fall in the blood cells that help fight infection (white blood cells) and help the blood to clot (platelets).

Your doctor will ask you to have a blood test:

·         before treatment

·         every week for the first 8 weeks of treatment

·         then at least every month after that.

You may be evaluated for signs of cardiopulmonary problems before and during the treatment with lenalidomide.

For patients with MDS taking Lenalidomide BOS

If you have MDS, you may be more likely to get a more advanced condition called acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). In addition, it is not known how Lenalidomide BOS affects the chances of you getting AML. Your doctor may therefore do tests to check for signs which may better predict the likelihood of you getting AML during your treatment with Lenalidomide BOS.

For patients with MCL taking Lenalidomide BOS

Your doctor will ask you to have a blood test:

·         before treatment

·         every week for the first 8 weeks (2 cycles) of treatment

·         then every 2 weeks in cycles 3 and 4 (see section 3 ‘Treatment cycle’ for more information)

·         after this it will happen at the start of each cycle and

·         at least every month.

For patients with FL taking Lenalidomide BOS

Your doctor will ask you to have a blood test:

·         before treatment

·         every week for the first 3 weeks (1 cycle) of treatment

·         then every 2 weeks in cycles 2 to 4 (see Section 3 ‘Treatment cycle’ for more information)

·         After this it will happen at the start of each cycle and

·         at least every month.

Your doctor may check if you have a high total amount of tumour throughout the body, including your bone marrow. This could lead to a condition where the tumours break down and cause unusual levels of chemicals in the blood which can lead to kidney failure (this condition is called ‘Tumour Lysis Syndrome’).

Your doctor may check you for changes to your skin such as red spots or rashes.

Your doctor may adjust your dose of Lenalidomide BOS or stop your treatment based on the results of your blood tests and on your general condition. If you are newly diagnosed, your doctor may also assess your treatment based on your age and other conditions you already have.

Blood donation

You should not donate blood during treatment and for at least 7 days after the end of treatment.

Children and adolescents

Lenalidomide BOS is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years.

Elderly and people with kidney problems

If you are aged 75 years or older or have moderate to severe kidney problems - your doctor will check you carefully before starting treatment.

Other medicines and Lenalidomide BOS

Tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This is because Lenalidomide BOS can affect the way some other medicines work. Also, some other medicines can affect the way Lenalidomide BOS works.

In particular, tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking any of the following medicines:

·         some medicines used to prevent pregnancy such as oral contraceptives, as they may stop working

·         some medicines used for heart problems – such as digoxin

·         some medicines used to thin the blood – such as warfarin.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and contraception- information for women and men

Pregnancy

For women taking Lenalidomide BOS

·         You must not take Lenalidomide BOS if you are pregnant, as it is expected to be harmful to an unborn baby.

·         You must not become pregnant while taking Lenalidomide BOS. Therefore you must use effective methods of contraception if you are a woman of childbearing potential (see ‘Contraception’).

·         If you do become pregnant during your treatment with Lenalidomide BOS, you must stop the treatment and inform your doctor immediately.

For men taking Lenalidomide BOS

·         If your partner becomes pregnant whilst you are taking Lenalidomide BOS, you should inform your doctor immediately. It is recommended that your partner seeks medical advice.

·         You must also use effective methods of contraception (see ‘Contraception’).

Breast-feeding

You must not breast-feed when taking Lenalidomide BOS, as it is not known if lenalidomide passes into breast milk.

Contraception

For women taking Lenalidomide BOS

Before starting the treatment, ask your doctor if you are able to become pregnant, even if you think this is unlikely.

If you are able to become pregnant

·         you will have pregnancy tests under the supervision of your doctor (before every treatment, at least every 4 weeks during treatment, and at least 4 weeks after the treatment has finished) except where it has been confirmed that the fallopian tubes have been severed and sealed, to stop eggs from reaching the uterus (tubal sterilisation)

AND

·         you must use effective methods of contraception for at least 4 weeks before starting treatment, during treatment, and until at least 4 weeks after stopping treatment. Your doctor will advise you on appropriate methods of contraception.

For men taking Lenalidomide BOS

Lenalidomide passes into human semen. If your female partner is pregnant or able to become pregnant, and she does not use effective methods of contraception, you must use condoms during treatment and for at least 7 days after the end of treatment, even if you have had a vasectomy.

Driving and using machines

Do not drive or operate machines if you feel dizzy, tired, sleepy, have vertigo or blurred vision after taking Lenalidomide BOS.

Lenalidomide BOS contains lactose

Lenalidomide BOS contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

Lenalidomide BOS must be given to you by healthcare professionals with experience in treating multiple myeloma, MDS, MCL or FL.

·         When Lenalidomide BOS is used to treat multiple myeloma in patients who cannot have a bone marrow transplant or have had other treatments before, it is taken with other medicines (see section 1 ‘What Lenalidomide BOS is used for’).

·         When Lenalidomide BOS is used to treat multiple myeloma in patients who have had a bone marrow transplant or to treat patients with MDS or MCL, it is taken alone.

·         When Lenalidomide BOS is used to treat follicular lymphoma, it is taken with another medicine called ‘rituximab’.

Always take Lenalidomide BOS exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

If you are taking Lenalidomide BOS in combination with other medicines, you should refer to the package leaflets for these medicines for further information on their use and effects.

Treatment cycle

Lenalidomide BOS is taken on certain days over 3 weeks (21 days).

·         Every 21 days is called a ‘treatment cycle’.

·         Depending on the day of the cycle, you will take one or more of the medicines. However, on some days you do not take any of the medicines.

·         After completing every 21-day cycle, you should start a new ‘cycle’ over the next 21 days.

OR

Lenalidomide BOS is taken on certain days over 4 weeks (28 days).

·         Every 28 days is called a ‘treatment cycle’.

·         Depending on the day of the cycle, you will take one or more of the medicines. However, on some days you do not take any of the medicines.

·         After completing every 28-day cycle, you should start a new ‘cycle’ over the next 28 days.

How much Lenalidomide BOS to take

Before you start treatment, your doctor will tell you:

·         how much Lenalidomide BOS you should take

·         how much of the other medicines you should take in combination with Lenalidomide BOS if any

·         on what days of your treatment cycle to take each medicine.

How and when to take Lenalidomide BOS

·         swallow the capsules whole, preferably with water.

·         do not break, open or chew the capsules. If powder from a broken Lenalidomide BOS makes contact with the skin, wash the skin immediately and thoroughly with soap and water.

·         healthcare professionals, caregivers and family members should wear disposable gloves when handling the blister or capsule. Gloves should then be removed carefully to prevent skin exposure, placed in a sealable plastic polyethylene bag and disposed of in accordance with local requirements. Hands should then be washed thoroughly with soap and water. Women who are pregnant or suspect they may be pregnant should not handle the blister or capsule.

·         the capsules can be taken either with or without food.

·         you should take Lenalidomide BOS at about the same time on the scheduled days.

Taking this medicine

To remove the capsule from the blister:

·         press only one end of the capsule out to push it through the foil

·         do not put pressure on the centre of the capsule, as this can cause it to break.

Duration of the treatment with Lenalidomide BOS

Lenalidomide BOS is taken in treatment cycles, each cycle lasting 21 or 28 days (see above ‘Treatment cycle’). You should continue the cycles of treatment until your doctor tells you to stop.

If you take more Lenalidomide BOS than you should

If you take more Lenalidomide BOS than was prescribed, tell your doctor immediately.

If you forget to take Lenalidomide BOS

If you forget to take Lenalidomide BOS at your regular time and:

·         less than 12 hours have passed - take your capsule immediately.

·         more than 12 hours have passed - do not take your capsule. Take your next capsule at the usual time the next day.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Like all medicines, Lenalidomide BOS can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking Lenalidomide BOS and see a doctor straight away if you notice any of the following serious side effects – you may need urgent medical treatment:

·         Hives, rashes, swelling of eyes, mouth or face, difficulty breathing, or itching, which may be symptoms of serious types of allergic reactions called angioedema and anaphylactic reaction.

·         A serious allergic reaction that may begin as a rash in one area but spread with extensive loss of skin over the whole body (Stevens-Johnson syndrome and/or toxic epidermal necrolysis).

·         Widespread rash, high body temperature, liver enzyme elevations, blood abnormalities (eosinophilia), enlarged lymph nodes and other body organs involvement (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms which is also known as DRESS or drug hypersensitivity syndrome). See also section 2.

Tell your doctor straight away if you notice any of the following serious side effects:

·         Fever, chills, sore throat, cough, mouth ulcers or any other symptoms of infection including within the bloodstream (sepsis)

·         Bleeding or bruising in the absence of injury

·         Chest pain or leg pain

·         Shortness of breath

·         Bone pain, muscle weakness, confusion or tiredness that might be due to high level of calcium in the blood.

Lenalidomide BOS may reduce the number of white blood cells that fight infection and also the blood cells which help the blood to clot (platelets) which may lead to bleeding disorders such as nosebleeds and bruising.

Lenalidomide BOS may also cause blood clots in the veins (thrombosis).

Other side effects

It is important to note that a small number of patients may develop additional types of cancer, and it is possible that this risk may be increased with lenalidomide treatment. Therefore your doctor should carefully evaluate the benefit and risk when you are prescribed Lenalidomide BOS.

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

·         A fall in the number of red blood cells which may cause anaemia leading to tiredness and weakness

·         Rashes, itching

·         Muscle cramps, muscle weakness, muscle pain, muscle aches, bone pain, joint pain, back pain, pain in the extremities

·         Generalised swelling including swelling of your arms and legs

·         Weakness, tiredness

·         Fever and flu like symptoms including fever, muscle ache, headache, earache, cough and chills

·         Numbness, tingling or burning sensation to the skin, pains in hands or feet, dizziness, tremor

·         Decreased appetite, change in the way things taste

·         Increase in pain, tumour size or redness around the tumour

·         Weight loss

·         Constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, heartburn

·         Low levels of potassium or calcium and/or sodium in the blood

·         Thyroid functioning less than it should be

·         Leg pain (which could be a symptom of thrombosis), chest pain or shortness of breath (which may be a symptom of blood clots in the lungs, called pulmonary embolism)

·         Infections of all types, including infection of the sinuses that surround the nose, infection of the lung and the upper respiratory tract

·         Shortness of breath

·         Blurred vision

·         Clouding of your eye (cataract)

·         Kidney problems which include kidneys not working properly or not being able to maintain normal function

·         Abnormal liver test results

·         Increase in liver test results

·         Changes to a protein in the blood that can cause swelling of the arteries (vasculitis)

·         Increases in your blood sugar levels (diabetes)

·         Decreases in your blood sugar levels

·         Headache

·         Nosebleed

·         Dry skin

·         Depression, mood change, difficulty sleeping

·         Cough

·         A fall in blood pressure

·         A vague feeling of bodily discomfort, feeling bad

·         Sore inflamed mouth, dry mouth

·         Dehydration

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

·         Destruction of red blood cells (haemolytic anaemia)

·         Certain types of skin tumour

·         Bleeding of the gums, stomach, or bowels

·         Increased blood pressure, slow, fast or irregular heart beat

·         Increase in the amount of a substance which results from normal and abnormal breakdown of red blood cells

·         Increase in a type of protein that indicates inflammation in body

·         Darkening of your skin, discoloration of your skin resulting from bleeding underneath, typically caused by bruising, swelling of skin filled with blood, bruise

·         Increase in uric acid in the blood

·         Skin eruptions, redness of skin, cracking, flaking or peeling skin, hives

·         Increased sweating, night sweats

·         Difficulty swallowing, sore throat, difficulty with voice quality or voice changes

·         Runny nose

·         Production of much more or much less urine than usual or the inability to control when to urinate

·         Passing blood in the urine

·         Shortness of breath especially when lying down (which may be a symptom of heart failure)

·         Difficulty getting an erection

·         Stroke, fainting, vertigo (problem with inner ear which leads to feeling that everything is spinning), temporary loss of consciousness

·         Chest pain spreading to the arms, neck, jaw, back or stomach, feeling sweaty and breathless, feeling sick or vomiting, which may be symptoms of a heart attack (myocardial infarction)

·         Muscle weakness, lack of energy

·         Neck pain, chest pain

·         Chills

·         Joint swelling

·         Bile flow from liver slowed or blocked

·         Low levels of phosphate or magnesium in the blood

·         Difficulty speaking

·         Liver injury

·         Impaired balance, difficulty moving

·         Deafness, ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

·         Nerve pain, unpleasant abnormal sensation especially to touch

·         An excess of iron in the body

·         Thirst

·         Confusion

·         Toothache

·         Fall which may result in injury

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

·         Bleeding within the skull

·         Circulatory problems

·         Loss of vision

·         Loss of sex drive (libido)

·         Passing large amounts of urine with bone pain and weakness, which may be symptoms of a kidney disorder (Fanconi syndrome)

·         Yellow pigmentation to the skin, mucus membrane or eyes (jaundice), pale coloured stools, dark coloured urine, skin itch, rash, pain or swelling of the stomach – these may be symptoms of injury to the liver (hepatic failure)

·         Stomach pain, bloating, or diarrhoea, which may be symptoms of inflammation in the large intestine (called colitis or caecitis)

·         Damage to the cells of the kidney (called renal tubular necrosis)

·         Changes to the colour of your skin, sensitivity to sunlight

·         Tumour lysis syndrome - metabolic complications that can occur during treatment of cancer and sometimes even without treatment. These complications are caused by the break-down products of dying cancer cells and may include the following: changes to blood chemistry; high potassium, phosphorus, uric acid, and low calcium consequently leading to changes in kidney function, heartbeat, seizures, and sometimes death.

·         Increase in blood pressure within blood vessels that supply the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).

Not known side effects (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):

·         Sudden, or mild but worsening pain in the upper stomach and/or back, which remains for a few days, possibly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever and a rapid pulse – these symptoms may be due to inflammation of the pancreas.

·         Wheezing, shortness of breath or a dry cough, which may be symptoms caused by inflammation of the tissue in the lungs.

·         Rare cases of muscle breakdown (muscle pain, weakness or swelling) which can lead to kidney problems (rhabdomyolysis) have been observed, some of them when lenalidomide is administered with a statin (a type of cholesterol lowering medicines).

·         A condition affecting the skin caused by inflammation of small blood vessels, along with pain in the joints and fever (leukocytoclastic vasculitis).

·         Breakdown of the wall of the stomach or gut. This may lead to very serious infection. Tell your doctor if you have severe stomach pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, blood in your stool, or changes in bowel habits.

·         Viral infections, including herpes zoster (also known as ‘shingles’, a viral disease that causes a painful skin rash with blisters) and recurrence of hepatitis B infection (which can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark brown-colored urine, right-sided stomach pain, fever and feeling nauseous or being sick).

·         Rejection of solid organ transplant (such as kidney, heart).

·         Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

·         Do not use this medicine after the expiry date, which is stated on the blister after ‘EXP’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

·         Do not store above 30°C.

·         Do not use this medicine if you notice any damage or signs of tampering to the pack.

·         Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Please return unused medicines to your pharmacist. These measures will help protect the environment.