Multiple Myeloma
4 medicines
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow, treated with combinations of alkylating agents and immunomodulatory drugs such as lenalidomide.
Lenalidomide Capsules
Lenalidomide
10mg
Lenalidomide Capsules is a oncology medication containing Lenalidomide, available as 10mg capsules.
Key facts
- Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells, the white blood cells in bone marrow that make antibodies. Uncontrolled growth crowds out healthy blood cells, weakens bones, and can damage the kidneys.
- Symptoms often cluster around what clinicians call CRAB: raised Calcium, Renal impairment, Anaemia, and Bone lesions, alongside persistent bone pain, fatigue, and frequent infections.
- Treatment combines drug classes in two- or three-drug regimens: the alkylating agent melphalan, cyclophosphamide, and immunomodulatory drugs thalidomide and lenalidomide, tailored to disease stage and transplant eligibility.
- Bone-protective medicines and treatments for anaemia are usually given alongside systemic therapy. See the oncology category for the wider picture.
How the disease presents
Early multiple myeloma is often silent. When symptoms do appear, they typically cluster around what clinicians call CRAB: elevated calcium, renal (kidney) impairment, anaemia, and bone lesions. People may notice persistent bone pain, especially in the back or ribs, unusual fatigue, frequent infections, or unusual thirst and frequent urination. An unexplained fracture or a sudden drop in haemoglobin is also a common reason the condition first comes to light.
Drug regimens and the medicines behind them
Treatment combines agents from several classes, usually in two- or three-drug regimens, tailored to transplant eligibility and disease stage. Melphalan is a long-established alkylating agent that remains the backbone of high-dose conditioning before a stem-cell transplant. Cyclophosphamide is used in induction and salvage combinations. The immunomodulatory drugs thalidomide and lenalidomide have transformed outcomes over the past two decades; lenalidomide in particular is now standard in both newly diagnosed and relapsed disease. A broader overview of supportive and anti-cancer therapies is available in the oncology category.
Bone-protective agents (bisphosphonates) and growth factors to manage anaemia are usually given alongside systemic treatment, reducing skeletal complications and helping maintain quality of life through a long course of therapy.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.