Thalidomide



Thalomid®







Thalidomide

(tha LI doe mide)

U.S. Brand Names
Thalomid®
Canadian Brand Names
Thalomid®
Pharmacologic Category
Immunosuppressant Agent; Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Blocking Agent
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. A male OR a female must use two effective forms of birth control during treatment. A written explanation of risks must be presented, reviewed, and signed by the patient before receiving this medicine. If a patient is younger than 18 years of age, this written warning must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to thalidomide or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have numbness, pain, or tingling of hands or feet.
  • If you are of childbearing age, but are not using two forms of birth control or if you are planning to become pregnant during your treatment or within 2 months after treatment has ended.
  • If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat aphthous ulcers.
  • This medicine is used to treat Behçet's syndrome.
  • This medicine is used to treat graft versus host reactions after bone marrow transplant.
  • This medicine is used to treat lupus.
  • This medicine is used to treat multiple myeloma.
  • This medicine is used to treat skin symptoms of leprosy.
How does it work?
  • Thalidomide decreases the body's harmful response to diseases affecting the immune system.
  • It injures cancer cells causing their death.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this medicine with water at bedtime at least 1 hour after the evening meal.
  • Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • Do not donate blood while using this medicine.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.
  • You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
  • Use two forms of birth control that you can trust before treatment begins, during treatment, and for 6 weeks after treatment ends.
  • Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work to prevent pregnancy. Use another form of birth control while taking this medicine.
  • If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy. Use birth control that you can trust.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
  • Headache.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Flushing.
  • Bleeding problems.
  • Anemia and low white blood cell count.
  • Swelling.
  • Irritable.
  • Rash.
  • Blood clots can rarely occur.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
  • Not hungry.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • If you are a female of childbearing age, take a pregnancy test before starting this medicine.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Chest pain or pressure.
  • Swelling or pain of leg or arm.
  • Numbness or tingling of hands or feet.
  • If you suspect a blood clot.
  • Any rash.
  • For females, if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from light.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: