Revlimid (lenalidomide) is a brand-name oral capsule that’s prescribed for certain types of myeloma, lymphoma, and anemia. As with other drugs, Revlimid can cause side effects, such as skin rash and constipation.

Revlimid is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following in certain situations in adults:

Revlimid may be taken alone or in combination with other medications to treat these conditions. Side effects can differ depending on the condition Revlimid is treating and whether you take the drug alone or with other medications.

Revlimid may also be prescribed as a maintenance treatment. This means that you continue to take the drug to keep your cancer from spreading or getting worse.

Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Revlimid, including details about its uses, see this article.

­­­­These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Revlimid in clinical studies. These side effects can vary depending on which condition the drug is being taken to treat.

More common side effects in people taking Revlimid for multiple myeloma include:

  • diarrhea
  • fatigue
  • anemia (low levels of red blood cells)
  • constipation
  • swelling in your arms and legs

More common side effects in people taking Revlimid for anemia that’s transfusion-dependent and caused by myelodysplastic syndrome include:

  • diarrhea
  • itching
  • skin rash*
  • fatigue
  • constipation

More common side effects in people taking Revlimid for mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, or marginal zone lymphoma include:

  • anemia
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • nausea
  • fatigue

* To learn more about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Revlimid. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Revlimid’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported by people taking Revlimid for multiple myeloma include:

Mild side effects that have been reported in people taking Revlimid for anemia that’s transfusion-dependent and due to myelodysplastic syndrome include:

  • mild skin rash*
  • constipation*
  • diarrhea
  • itching
  • back or joint pain
  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • upper respiratory infection, such as a cold
  • fever
  • swelling of your arms or legs

Mild side effects that have been reported in people taking Revlimid for mantle cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, or marginal zone lymphoma include:

  • mild skin rash*
  • constipation*
  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • fever
  • cough
  • fatigue
  • anemia

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Revlimid and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* To learn more about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Revlimid may cause serious side effects, but this is rare. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Revlimid’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Revlimid, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† Revlimid has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
‡ For more information about this side effect, see “Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Revlimid” in the “Precautions for Revlimid” section below.

Revlimid may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Do side effects of Revlimid vary based on which strength I’m taking (such as 10 mg, 15 mg, or 25 mg)?

It’s possible that you may experience more side effects when you take a higher dose of Revlimid. But each person’s reaction to taking this medication can be different.

Revlimid comes in the following strengths: 2.5 milligrams (mg), 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, and 25 mg. Your doctor will recommend the best strength for you to take based on your condition.

If you take Revlimid and experience mild side effects that are bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to recommend ways to ease them. If the side effects continue or are serious, your doctor may decrease your dose. Then they’ll monitor you for side effects at this lower dose of Revlimid. In some cases, your doctor may recommend pausing your treatment until your side effects ease.

Does Revlimid cause hair loss?

No, Revlimid does not cause hair loss. In clinical studies of people taking Revlimid, hair loss wasn’t reported as a side effect.

If you take other drugs for cancer treatment with Revlimid, it’s possible that some of them could cause hair loss.

If you’re concerned about hair loss, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend possible treatments.

I’m taking Revlimid with dexamethasone for multiple myeloma. What might my side effects be?

If you take Revlimid with dexamethasone (Hemady) for multiple myeloma, the side effects will likely be the same as if you took Revlimid alone.* However, your risk of side effects may increase if you take both drugs.

Clinical studies looked at people who took dexamethasone in combination with Revlimid or a placebo (treatment with no active drug). The group who took dexamethasone with Revlimid experienced the following conditions more frequently:

If you take Revlimid in combination with dexamethasone, your doctor may monitor you for side effects more often than usual. They can advise you on how to help prevent side effects from occurring and what to look for.

* To learn which side effects are more common in people taking Revlimid for multiple myeloma, see the “More common side effects of Revlimid” section above.
† Revlimid has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more information, see “Boxed warnings” in the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Does stopping Revlimid treatment cause withdrawal symptoms?

No, stopping Revlimid treatment doesn’t cause withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms weren’t reported as a side effect in people taking the medication in clinical studies.

But if you stop taking Revlimid, your condition could worsen. You could also experience more symptoms of the condition.

It’s important that you don’t stop taking Revlimid on your own. You should first talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you switch to a different medication.

Are there any long-term side effects of Revlimid?

It’s possible that Revlimid can cause long-term side effects. For example, this medication may cause:

These side effects may remain even after you stop taking Revlimid.

If you’re concerned about developing long-term side effects while you take Revlimid, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend ways to decrease your risk of long-term side effects. Your doctor may also monitor your blood levels to watch for any changes during Revlimid treatment. (Sometimes, these side effects may be first noticed in a blood test.)

Learn more about some of the side effects that Revlimid may cause.

Skin rash

Skin rash is a potential side effect of Revlimid. Mild skin rashes were more common than other side effects in clinical studies. In rare cases, some people developed a serious skin rash that needed to be treated right away.

Symptoms of a skin rash may include:

  • redness or discoloration
  • swelling
  • hives
  • itching

In more serious cases, such as a reaction called drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), you may experience:

For pictures of skin rashes, you can see this article. It’s important to note that you should talk with your doctor about any possible rash symptoms you have.

What you can do

If you develop a skin rash during treatment with Revlimid, talk with your doctor right away.

In some cases, the rash can be serious and even life threatening. Rash may also be a sign of an allergic reaction.† Your doctor will be able to help you determine how serious your rash is and the best way to treat it.

* Revlimid has a boxed warning about severely low levels of blood cells. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For more information, see “Boxed warnings” below.
† For details, see “Allergic reaction” below.

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy may occur with Revlimid. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects your nerves. It was less common than other side effects in clinical studies.

Some symptoms may include:

  • numbness or tingling, especially in your arms or legs
  • weakness
  • burning pain
  • muscle weakness

What you can do

If you develop symptoms of peripheral neuropathy while taking Revlimid, talk with your doctor. They may recommend treatment to ease your symptoms. Your doctor may also suggest that you switch to a different medication for your condition.

Constipation

Constipation can occur with Revlimid treatment. Constipation is a common side effect that people taking this medication reported in clinical studies.

What you can do

If you experience constipation with Revlimid, talk with your doctor. They may be able to suggest ways to relieve your constipation. These may include taking a fiber supplement or another medication to treat your symptoms.

Boxed warnings

The FDA has recommended boxed warnings for Revlimid. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. They alert the doctor and the patient about serious side effects that can occur. Revlimid’s boxed warnings include:

Risk of severe blood clots: Revlimid can cause blood clots. If you take Revlimid in combination with dexamethasone (Hemady) for multiple myeloma, your risk may be increased. The blood clots may occur in your legs or lungs, and they may cause a heart attack or stroke. A blood clot in your legs is called deep vein thrombosis. A blood clot in your lungs is known as a pulmonary embolism. In some cases, severe blood clots with Revlimid may be life threatening.

Risk of severely low blood cell levels: Revlimid may cause you to experience severely low blood counts. These include neutropenia (low levels of white blood cells) and thrombocytopenia (low levels of platelets). Low levels of blood cells can cause problems with blood clotting or may increase your risk of infection. Low blood counts are a common but serious side effect that may occur during Revlimid treatment.

Revlimid also has a boxed warning about the risk of harm or death to a fetus. For more information, see “Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Revlimid” in the “Precautions for Revlimid” section below.

What you can do

Here’s some information on what you can do about the side effects mentioned above.

What you can do about severe blood clots: If you develop any symptoms of a blood clot, immediately see a doctor or call 911 or your local emergency number right away. The symptoms can include:

  • swelling of your leg
  • chest pain
  • weakness on one side of your body

In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you take a medication to decrease your risk of developing a blood clot. Before you start Revlimid treatment, talk with them about your risk of blood clots.

What you can do about severely low blood cell levels: Your doctor will likely monitor your blood cell levels throughout your treatment with Revlimid. They may order weekly blood tests when you first start treatment. This helps your doctor check whether your levels are becoming low.

You should tell your doctor if you notice unusual bleeding or bruising while taking Revlimid. These may be symptoms of low blood cell levels.

If your levels become too low, your doctor may recommend a blood transfusion. They may pause your Revlimid treatment until your levels rise.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Revlimid can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash*
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Revlimid. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* For more information, see “Skin rash” above.

In some cases, Revlimid may not be right for you. It is important to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions. They can help you determine whether Revlimid is a safe treatment option for you.

Boxed warnings

Revlimid has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The drug’s boxed warnings are about:

  • Risk of severe blood clots: For details, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.
  • Risk of severely low blood cell levels: To learn more, refer to the “Side effect specifics” section above.
  • Risk of harm or death to a fetus: For more information, see “Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Revlimid” below.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Revlimid. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Liver problems: If you have liver problems, such as liver failure, tell your doctor before you start treatment with Revlimid. This medication can also cause liver problems to occur. If you already have liver problems and take this drug, your condition could worsen. Your doctor can advise you on whether Revlimid may be a safe treatment option for you.

Kidney problems: If you have kidney problems, including ones that require dialysis, tell your doctor before you start taking Revlimid. Your kidneys help remove the medication from your body. If they aren’t working as well as they should, Revlimid may build up in your body and cause serious side effects. Your doctor may recommend that you take a lower dose of Revlimid than usual.

Thyroid problems: Revlimid may cause thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland). If you already have thyroid problems, this medication may make your condition worse. Before you start taking Revlimid, talk with your doctor about any thyroid problem you have. They can help determine whether Revlimid is a safe treatment option for you.

Allergic reaction: Your doctor will likely not prescribe Revlimid if you have ever:

  • had an allergic reaction to Revlimid or any of its ingredients
  • taken Thalomid (thalidomide) and had a skin rash

Talk with your doctor about which other treatments may be better choices for you.

Lactose intolerance: Revlimid contains lactose. Because of this, doctors typically will not prescribe Revlimid if you have lactose intolerance. You can ask your doctor about treatments other than Revlimid.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia: If you have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), taking Revlimid may, in some cases, increase your risk of death. Because of this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Revlimid if you have CLL. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment option for you.

Alcohol with Revlimid

Revlimid is not believed to interact with alcohol. But taking the medication may cause liver problems, such as liver failure, to occur. Because alcohol can also cause liver problems, Revlimid may further increase your risk of liver problems.

In addition, if you take Revlimid in combination with other medications to treat your condition, alcohol may interact with those drugs.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much, if any, is safe for you to drink while you take Revlimid.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Revlimid

You should not take Revlimid while you’re pregnant, if you’re planning to become pregnant, or while you’re breastfeeding.

Boxed warning: Revlimid has a boxed warning about the risk of harm or death to a fetus. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the FDA. This medication can cause problems with fetal development, which are commonly known as birth defects.

If you’re able to become pregnant, your doctor will have you take two pregnancy tests before you start treatment. You’ll also need to have regular pregnancy tests while you take Revlimid. The purpose of the tests is to confirm that you’re not pregnant.

Birth control: If you’re a female,* during your Revlimid treatment you should use two forms of birth control or not have sex that may cause pregnancy. You must use birth control for at least 4 weeks before starting Revlimid, and should continue using the birth control or refraining from sex for at least 4 weeks after stopping Revlimid treatment.

If you’re a male,* you should use birth control, such as a condom, during sex with a partner who can become pregnant. Revlimid can pass into semen. After you stop taking Revlimid, you should continue to use condoms for up to 4 weeks.

REMS program: Due to Revlimid’s possible risks to a fetus, the drug is part of a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program. The program requires you to answer questions before you can receive the medication. This is done to help prevent harm to a fetus. To learn more, visit the program’s website, call 888-423-5436, or talk with your doctor.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor. They can recommend a treatment other than Revlimid.

Breastfeeding: You should not take Revlimid while you’re breastfeeding. It’s not known if this medication may pass into breast milk or what effects it may have on a child who is breastfed.

If you’re breastfeeding or considering it, ask your doctor about your treatment options and healthy ways to feed your child.

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “male” and “female” in this article refers to the sex assigned at birth.

Although side effects may occur with Revlimid, they’re usually mild. If mild side effects bother you, don’t go away, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor. You should also talk with them if you have serious side effects from the drug.

If you’d like to learn more about Revlimid, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

In addition, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Revlimid: For details about other aspects of Revlimid, refer to this article.
  • Cost: If you’d like to learn about Revlimid and cost, see this article.
  • Drug comparison: To learn how Revlimid compares with similar drugs, read the “Revlimid vs. Velcade” and “Revlimid vs. bendamustine” sections of this article.
  • Dosage: For information about the dosage of Revlimid, view this article.
  • How it works: To find out about how Revlimid works, see this article.
  • A look at your condition: To learn more about the cancers that Revlimid is used to treat, our cancer hub may be helpful. You can also refer to this list of articles related to lymphoma.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.