[Ruchi]

Can Revlimid / dex cause acid reflux / heartburn?

by Ruchi on Sat Jun 04, 2016 11:49 am

Hi All,

My mother is on Revlimid maintenance since 2012. Last November she had a compression fracture in her spinal vertebrae after which she was given radiation and 6 cycles of dexa­metha­sone, and Velcade.

After that currently she is on 10 mg Revlimid for 21 days with 40 mg dexamethasone(oral) at the start of cycle and then has 7 days off. She also takes iron supplements due to low (10.1) hemoglobin. Since last couple of days she is complaining of having acidity and heartburn. This usually happens in the evening.

Has anybody else experienced this with any of these drugs and if you could also mention the steps taken to help reduce this symptom.

Thanks a lot in advance,
Ruchi

[goldmine848]

Re: Can Revlimid / dex cause acid reflux / heartburn?

by goldmine848 on Sat Jun 04, 2016 3:45 pm

I don't know exactly why, but during my induction regimen of Velcade, Revlimid and dex, I was pre­scribed Nexium (esomeprazole), which is a drug to treat acid reflux. I suppose that it worked since I didn't have a reflux issue.

But one warning: long-term use of Nexium can cause a reflux rebound effect when you discontinue it. In my case, it took several months to get past this when I stopped. You may want to try Zantac (ranitidine), an over the counter medication which can be taken occasionally when the symptoms appear.

[DallasGG]

Re: Can Revlimid / dex cause acid reflux / heartburn?

by DallasGG on Sat Jun 04, 2016 4:06 pm

I'm on maintenance therapy with Revlimid and dexamethasone. I get occasional heartburn / reflux about 1-2 times a month. I'm not completely sure if it's from the Revlimid or dex. On my dex days, my digestive system slows to a crawl, and I'm guessing that might have something to do with some of the heartburn attacks. Usually if I take an extra strength Tums (calcium carbonate), the heartburn / pain goes away but I occasionally have to take something stronger like maximum strength Zantac (the generic version) if the Tums don't work. I try to eat less on my dex days, which seems to help a little.

[Ruchi]

Re: Can Revlimid / dex cause acid reflux / heartburn?

by Ruchi on Sat Jun 04, 2016 4:24 pm

Thank you so much for the replies. So it seems that this could be a possible side effect of Revlimid or dexamethasone. Currently my mother is only on Revlimid and dexamethasone, no Velcade. Also, she has this symptom almost on a regular basis, more towards the evening/night.