Multiple Myeloma- It is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells. Plasma cells are a type of WBCs that are located in the bone marrow, and it is a soft tissue that produces blood cells. Plasma cells make antibodies that help to fight against diseases and infections.
Multiple Myeloma is an uncontrolled growth of plasma cells in the bone marrow. This fast reproduction of cancerous cells exceeds the production of healthy cells in the bone marrow. Further, this uncontrolled growth of cells gathers in the bone marrow. Abnormal plasma cells reduce the growth of cells in the bone marrow that produces platelets, RBCs and WBCs.
Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma-
Multiple Myeloma Symptom varies from patient to patient. Most of the times no symptoms are found. As the disease grows, major symptoms are found.
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Infection
- Weight loss
- Vision Problems
List of effective medication used in the treatment of Multiple Myeloma
1- Lenalidomide- It is used in the treatment of multiple myeloma. This medication stops or reduces the growth of cancer cells. It is also helpful in the treatment of anaemia. Lenalidomide is not effective for a certain type of cancer like lymphatic leukaemia as there is a high risk of heart-related side effects.
Dosage- Before Taking Lenalidomide, consult well with your doctor. For certain conditions, you are told to take this medicine in the cycle ( one tablet daily for 21 days ). The dosage is completely depended upon the lab reports and as per doctor advise.
Side effects- Lenalidomide is absorbed by the skin and lungs, this drug is harmful to pregnant women.
Use this medication as recommended to get relieved from Multiple Myeloma.
Some most commonly reported side effects of lenalidomide include:
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Muscle cramp
- Anemia
- Pyrexia
- Nausea
- Back pain
- Dyspnea
- Dizziness
- Neutropenia
- Constipation
- Thrombocytopenia
- Tremor and rash
- Peripheral edema
- Upper respiratory tract infection
2- Pomalidomide- This drug is helpful in the treatment of cancer like multiple myeloma. It reduces the growth of cancer cells. Pomalidomide increases the chances of infection and may worsen the present infections. This medicine contains some inactive ingredients which cause infection.
Dosage- The dosage of medicine is based on your medical condition. Take this medicine regularly as instructed by the doctor.
The recommended initial pomalidomide dose is 4mg one time in a day, and should be taken by mouth on Days 1'st to 21'st of repeated 28-day cycles until the disease progresses.
Pomalidomide is administered together with dexamethasone, and should be taken through water. Instruct patients not to break, chew or open the pomalidomide capsules. Capsules need to be taken without food (minimum 2-hours prior to or 2-hours after a meal).
Side Effects -
Some most commonly reported side effects of pomalidomide include:
- Fatigue
- Asthenia
- Anemia
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Dyspnea
- Neutropenia
- Constipation
- Back pain and pyrexia
- Upper respiratory tract infections
Womens of reproductive potential need to have -ve pregnancy testing and must consider contraception ways prior to initiating this medication.
Patients using this medication can have some serious side-effects.
3- Carfilzomib- It is an anti-cancer drug used in the treatment of multiple myeloma.
Carfilzomib injection is used separately in combination with Revlimid and Dexamethasone helps to treat this cancer type. Carfilzomib works as an inhibitor, reduces the growth of cancer cells.
Side effects-
Some most commonly reported side effects of carfilzomib in the combination therapy include:
- Anemia
- Diarrhea
- Dyspnea
- Fatigue
- Pyrexia
- Insomnia
- Muscle spasm
- Cough
- Hypokalemia
- Neutropenia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Upper respiratory tract infection
4- Bortezomib- It is helpful in the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Bortezomib Injection is injected into a vein, each time injection site should be changed to lessen injury.
Dosage- It depends on medical reports and condition of the patient.
Side-effect-
Some most commonly reported side effects of bortezomib include:
- Diarrhea
- Thrombocytopenia
- Neutropenia
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Fatigue
- Neuralgia
- Anemia
- Leukopenia
- Constipation
- Lymphopenia
- Rash
- Pyrexia
- Nausea
- Anorexia
5- Carmustine- This medication is helpful in the treatment of brain tumour and multiple myeloma. Carmustine is also known as alkylating agents, as it reduces the growth of cancer cells. This drug is given in the form of injection, slowly injected into a vein. Carmustine injection is helpful in controlling the growth of cancer cells. The dosage depends on medical reports and condition.
Side effects-
Some most commonly reported side effects of carmustine are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Renal toxicity
- Pneumonitis
- Myelosuppression
- Pulmonary toxicity
6- Melphalan- It is one of the effective drugs which is proven to cure Multiple myeloma. This medication controls the growth of cancer cells. This drug is absorbed by skin and lungs, harmful for pregnant women. Doctors recommend for most of the patients to take Melphalan tablets, recommended to take empty stomach. Melphalan injection is given to the patients to control the growth of cancer cells.
Side effect-
Some most commonly reported side effects of melphalan are:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Hypokalemia
- Anemia
- Vomiting
- Platelet count decreased
- Neutrophil count decreased
- Lymphocyte count decreased
- White blood cell count decreased
7- Daratumumab- Daratumumab is an immunoglobulin, that helps to reduce Multiple Myeloma. Darzalex is a drug recommended to adult patients with this disease. Each darzalex single dose contains acetic acid, Daratumumab and polysorbate. Darzalex causes severe reactions like shortness of breath, cough, wheezing and itching.
Side effects- The most common side effects include tiredness, lack of sleep, feeling weak, loss of appetite, muscle pain and nausea.
Note- The medication mentioned above should be taken after consulting with a doctor. If you experience any side-effect, consult the doctor at the earliest. Avoid overdosage and intake as per recommended to see better results in the given duration. Take care of yourself and have medicine on time to control the growth of cancer cells.
