Maintenance therapy for myeloma is generally better tolerated than earlier treatments, but side effects can still occur. The most common ones depend on which drug is being used.
For lenalidomide (Revlimid), one of the most widely used maintenance therapies, side effects can include:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Fatigue
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Maintenance therapy for myeloma is generally better tolerated than earlier treatments, but side effects can still occur. The most common ones depend on which drug is being used.
For lenalidomide (Revlimid), one of the most widely used maintenance therapies, side effects can include:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Muscle cramps or spasms
- Swelling in the arms or legs
- Insomnia
- Shortness of breath
- Increased risk of blood clots
- Changes in blood counts (which can affect immunity and increase infection risk)
- Rash
- Dizziness If steroids like dexamethasone or prednisone are part of the maintenance plan, additional side effects may include:
- Sleep problems
- High blood sugar
- Weight gain
- Mood changes
- Bone weakening
It's really important to flag any side effects to the care team — they can often help manage them. In some cases, adjusting the treatment plan may be an option if side effects become hard to tolerate.
August 16
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