Do I need to take Lenalidomide for life?

The period of use of Lenalidomide (Lenalidomide) is usually determined based on the patient's specific condition, treatment response and doctor's advice, and does not necessarily require lifelong use. Its service life mainly depends on the following factors:

1.Disease type and stage: Lenalidomide is commonly used to treat diseases such as multiple myeloma (Multiple Myeloma) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). For patients with multiple myeloma, lenalidomide is often given as part of initial treatment and can then be continued as maintenance therapy to prolong a patient's remission. For patients with MDS, the duration of treatment may vary based on the patient's condition and response to treatment.

2.Treatment response: The patient's treatment response is an important factor in determining the duration of lenalidomide use. If lenalidomide is effective in controlling the disease and maintaining the patient's remission, the doctor may recommend that the patient continue to use the drug to prolong the stable period of the disease.

3.Side effects and tolerance: Lenalidomide may cause some side effects, such as anemia, skin reactions, infections, etc. If the patient tolerates the drug well and the side effects can be controlled, the doctor may continue to recommend the drug.

4.Individualized treatment plan: Each patient has a different medical history and life situation, so the treatment plan is usually individualized. Doctors will develop an appropriate treatment plan based on the patient's overall health, age, treatment response and disease progression.

Lenalidomide has been launched in China and has been included in medical insurance. Patients can purchase it domestically. The price is around 3,500~4,000 yuan. Due to different medical insurance policies in various places, the price also varies. Please consult your local pharmacy for specific prices. There are also original research drugs in China, but the price is as high as tens of thousands of yuan, so it is not recommended to buy them. The cheaper ones abroad are mainly generic drugs, including those from India, Bangladesh, and Laos, which cost about a few hundred yuan per box. The ingredients of foreign generic drugs and domestic lenalidomide drugs are basically the same.