Teva and Natco Announce Launch of additional strengths for the Generic Version of Revlimid® (lenalidomide capsules), in the U.S.
Teva Pharmaceuticals, in collaboration with NATCO Pharma, has launched additional strengths of its generic lenalidomide capsules in the U.S., including 2.5 mg and 20 mg doses. This follows the introduction of four other strengths in March 2022, making all formulations of lenalidomide available in the U.S. The generic is critical for treating multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and mantle cell lymphoma. With nearly 500 generic products, Teva leads the market and holds around 100 pending first-to-file opportunities. Lenalidomide's annual sales reached $2.9 billion as of January 2023, enhancing Teva's position in the generics market.
- Launch of additional strengths of lenalidomide capsules enhances market access to a key treatment.
- Teva maintains a strong presence with nearly 500 FDA-approved generic products.
- Significant market opportunity represented by the $2.9 billion annual sales of Revlimid.
- None.
The companies have launched four other strengths of the product in
Teva’s lenalidomide capsules are a prescription medicine used in adults for the treatment of (i) multiple myeloma in combination with the medicine dexamethasone, (ii) certain myelodysplastic syndromes, and (iii) mantle cell lymphoma following specific prior treatment. Please see the below “What are lenalidomide capsules?” section for more information.
“The launch of additional strengths for the generic version of Revlimid® in the
With nearly 500 generic medicines available, Teva has the largest portfolio of FDA-approved generic products on the market, and holds the leading position in first-to-file opportunities, with approximately 100 pending first-to-files in the
Revlimid® had annual sales of
What are lenalidomide capsules?
Lenalidomide capsules are a prescription medicine, used to treat adults with:
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multiple myeloma (MM)
- in combination with the medicine dexamethasone
- a condition called myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Lenalidomide capsules are for the type of MDS with a chromosome problem where part of chromosome 5 is missing. This type of MDS is known as deletion 5q MDS. People with this type of MDS may have low red blood cell counts that require treatment with blood transfusions.
- mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) when the disease comes back or becomes worse after treatment with 2 prior medicines, one of which included bortezomib. MCL is a cancer of a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes that are in the lymph nodes.
Lenalidomide capsules should not be used to treat people who have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) unless they are participants in a controlled clinical trial.
It is not known if lenalidomide capsules are safe and effective in children.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about lenalidomide capsules?
Before you begin taking lenalidomide capsules, you must read and agree to all of the instructions in the Lenalidomide REMS program. Before prescribing lenalidomide capsules, your healthcare provider will explain the Lenalidomide REMS program to you and have you sign the Patient-Physician Agreement Form.
Lenalidomide capsules may cause serious side effects including:
- Possible birth defects (deformed babies) or death of an unborn baby. Females who are pregnant or who plan to become pregnant must not take lenalidomide capsules.
Lenalidomide is similar to the medicine thalidomide. We know thalidomide can cause severe life-threatening birth defects. Lenalidomide capsules have not been tested in pregnant females. Lenalidomide capsules have harmed unborn animals in animal testing.
Females must not get pregnant:
- For at least 4 weeks before starting lenalidomide capsules
- While taking lenalidomide capsules
- During any breaks (interruptions) in your treatment with lenalidomide capsules
- For at least 4 weeks after stopping lenalidomide capsules
Females who can become pregnant:
- Will have pregnancy tests weekly for 4 weeks, then every 4 weeks if your menstrual cycle is regular, or every 2 weeks if your menstrual cycle is irregular.
- If you miss your period or have unusual bleeding, you will need to have a pregnancy test and receive counseling.
- Must agree to use two acceptable forms of birth control at the same time, for at least 4 weeks before, while taking, during any breaks (interruptions) in your treatment, and for at least 4 weeks after stopping lenalidomide capsules.
- Talk with your healthcare provider to find out about options for acceptable forms of birth control that you may use to prevent pregnancy before, during, and after treatment with lenalidomide capsules.
- If you had unprotected sex or if you think your birth control has failed, stop taking lenalidomide capsules immediately and call your healthcare provider right away.
If you become pregnant while taking lenalidomide capsules, stop taking it right away and call your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider is not available, you can call the REMS Call Center at 1‐888‐423‐5436. Healthcare providers and patients should report all cases of pregnancy to:
- FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088, and
- The Lenalidomide REMS program at 1‐888‐423‐5436
There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors the outcomes of females who take lenalidomide capsules during pregnancy, or if their male partner takes lenalidomide capsules and they are exposed during pregnancy. You can enroll in this registry by calling the Lenalidomide REMS program at the phone number listed above.
Lenalidomide can pass into human semen:
- Males, including those who have had a vasectomy, must always use a latex or synthetic condom during any sexual contact with a pregnant female or a female that can become pregnant while taking lenalidomide capsules, during any breaks (interruptions) in your treatment with lenalidomide capsules, and for up to 4 weeks after stopping lenalidomide capsules.
- Do not have unprotected sexual contact with a female who is or could become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider if you do have unprotected sexual contact with a female who is or could become pregnant.
- Do not donate sperm while taking lenalidomide capsules, during any breaks (interruptions) in your treatment, and for up to 4 weeks after stopping lenalidomide capsules. If a female becomes pregnant with your sperm, the baby may be exposed to lenalidomide and may be born with birth defects.
Men, if your female partner becomes pregnant, you should call your healthcare provider right away.
- Low white blood cells (neutropenia) and low platelets (thrombocytopenia). Lenalidomide capsules cause low white blood cells and low platelets in most people. You may need a blood transfusion or certain medicines if your blood counts drop too low. Your healthcare provider should check your blood counts often especially during the first several months of treatment with lenalidomide capsules, and then at least monthly. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop any bleeding or bruising, during treatment with lenalidomide capsules.
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Blood clots. Blood clots in the arteries, veins, and lungs happen more often in people who take lenalidomide capsules. This risk is even higher for people with multiple myeloma who take the medicine dexamethasone with lenalidomide capsules. Heart attacks and strokes also happen more often in people who take lenalidomide capsules with dexamethasone. To reduce this increased risk, most people who take lenalidomide capsules will also take a blood thinner medicine. Before taking lenalidomide capsules, tell your healthcare provider:
- If you have had a blood clot in the past
- If you have high blood pressure, smoke, or if you have been told you have a high level of fat in your blood (hyperlipidemia)
-
About all the medicines you take. Certain other medicines can also increase your risk for blood clots. Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get any of the following during treatment with lenalidomide capsules:
- Signs or symptoms of a blood clot in the lung, arm, or leg may include: shortness of breath, chest pain, or arm or leg swelling
- Signs or symptoms of a heart attack may include: chest pain that may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach area (abdomen), feeling sweaty, shortness of breath, feeling sick or vomiting
- Signs or symptoms of stroke may include: sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, severe headache or confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or balance
Who should not take lenalidomide capsules?
Do not take lenalidomide capsules if you:
- are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or become pregnant during treatment with lenalidomide capsules. See “What is the most important information I should know about lenalidomide capsules?”
- are allergic to lenalidomide or any of the ingredients in lenalidomide capsules. See the end of the Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in lenalidomide capsules.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking lenalidomide capsules?
Before you take lenalidomide capsules, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have liver problems
- have kidney problems or receive kidney dialysis treatment
- have thyroid problems
- have had a serious skin rash with thalidomide treatment. You should not take lenalidomide capsules.
- are lactose intolerant. Lenalidomide capsules contain lactose.
- are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed during treatment with lenalidomide capsules. It is not known if lenalidomide passes into your breast milk and can harm your baby.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Lenalidomide capsules and other medicines may affect each other, causing serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking any new medicines.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist.
What should I avoid while taking lenalidomide capsules?
- See “What is the most important information I should know about lenalidomide capsules?”
- Females: Do not get pregnant and do not breastfeed while taking lenalidomide capsules.
- Males: Do not donate sperm while taking lenalidomide capsules, during any breaks (interruptions) in your treatment, and for up to 4 weeks after stopping lenalidomide capsules.
- Do not share lenalidomide capsules with other people. It may cause birth defects and other serious problems.
- Do not donate blood while you take lenalidomide capsules, during any breaks (interruptions) in your treatment, and for 4 weeks after stopping lenalidomide capsules. If someone who is pregnant gets your donated blood, her baby may be exposed to lenalidomide and may be born with birth defects.
What are the possible side effects of lenalidomide capsules?
Lenalidomide capsules can cause serious side effects, including:
- See “What is the most important information I should know about lenalidomide capsules?”
- Increased risk of death in people who have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). People with CLL who take lenalidomide capsules have an increased risk of death compared with people who take the medicine chlorambucil. Lenalidomide capsules may cause you to have serious heart problems that can lead to death, including atrial fibrillation, heart attack, or heart failure. You should not take lenalidomide capsules if you have CLL unless you are participating in a controlled clinical trial.
- Risk of new cancers (malignancies). An increase in new (second) cancers has happened in patients who received lenalidomide capsules and melphalan, or a blood stem cell transplant, including certain blood cancers, such as acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and certain other types of cancers of the skin and other organs. Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk of developing new cancers if you take lenalidomide capsules. Your healthcare provider will check you for new cancers during your treatment with lenalidomide capsules.
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Severe liver problems, including liver failure and death. Your healthcare provider should do blood tests to check your liver function during your treatment with lenalidomide capsules. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following symptoms of liver problems:
- yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes (jaundice)
- dark or brown (tea-colored) urine
- pain on the upper right side of your stomach area (abdomen)
- bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
- feeling very tired
-
Severe skin reactions and severe allergic reactions can happen with lenalidomide capsules and may cause death. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms during treatment with lenalidomide capsules:
- a red, itchy, skin rash
- peeling of your skin or blisters
- severe itching
- fever
-
Get emergency medical help right away if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms during treatment with lenalidomide capsules:
- swelling of your lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- trouble breathing or swallowing
- raised red areas on your skin (hives)
- a very fast heartbeat
- you feel dizzy or faint
- Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment, abnormal heart rhythm, seizure and sometimes death. Your healthcare provider may do blood tests to check you for TLS.
- Worsening of your tumor (tumor flare reaction) can happen with lenalidomide capsules and may cause death. Tell your healthcare provider if you get any of these symptoms of tumor flare reaction during treatment with lenalidomide capsules: tender swollen lymph nodes, low grade fever, pain, or rash.
Your healthcare provider may tell you to decrease your dose, temporarily stop or permanently stop taking lenalidomide capsules if you develop certain serious side effects during treatment with lenalidomide capsules.
- Thyroid problems. Your healthcare provider may check your thyroid function before you start taking lenalidomide capsules and during treatment with lenalidomide capsules.
- Risk of Early Death in MCL. In people who have Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL), there may be a risk of dying sooner (early death) when taking lenalidomide capsules. Talk with your healthcare provider about any concerns and possible risk factors.
The most common side effects of lenalidomide capsules include:
- diarrhea
- rash
- nausea
- constipation
- tiredness or weakness
- fever
- itching
- swelling of your arms, hands, legs, feet and skin
- sleep problems (insomnia)
- headache
- muscle cramps or spasms
- shortness of breath
- cough, sore throat, and other symptoms of a cold
- upper respiratory tract infection or bronchitis
- inflammation of the stomach and intestine (“stomach flu”)
- nose bleed
- shaking or trembling (tremor)
- joint aches
- pain in your back or stomach-area (abdomen)
These are not all the possible side effects of lenalidomide capsules. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please read the Medication Guide in the full Prescribing Information including Boxed Warning.
About Teva
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based on management’s current beliefs and expectations and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown, that could cause our future results, performance or achievements to differ significantly from that expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “target,” “may,” “project,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe” and other words and terms of similar meaning and expression in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. Important factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks relating to the development and commercial success of our generic version of Revlimid® (lenalidomide capsules); our ability to successfully compete in the marketplace, including, that we are substantially dependent on our generic products, concentration of our customer base and commercial alliances among our customers, delays in launches of new generic products and the increase in the number of competitors targeting generic opportunities and seeking U.S. market exclusivity for generic versions of significant products; our substantial indebtedness; our business and operations in general, including, the impact of global economic conditions and other macroeconomic developments and the governmental and societal responses thereto, and costs and delays resulting from the extensive pharmaceutical regulation to which we are subject; compliance, regulatory and litigation matters, including failure to comply with complex legal and regulatory environments; other financial and economic risks; and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
1 Revlimid® is a registered trademark of Celgene Corporation, a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
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FAQ
What strengths of lenalidomide has Teva launched?
When did Teva launch the additional strengths for lenalidomide?
What is the significance of the lenalidomide launch for Teva?
What are the total strengths available for lenalidomide now?
What is the annual sales figure for Revlimid?
