Generic name: thalidomide [ tha-LID-oh-mide ]
Brand name: Thalomid
Dosage form: oral capsule (100 mg; 150 mg; 200 mg; 50 mg)
Drug classes:Leprostatics, Miscellaneous antineoplastics, Other immunosuppressants
What is thalidomide?
Thalidomide is used together with dexamethasone to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer). Thalidomide is also used to treat and prevent moderate to severe skin lesions caused by leprosy.
Thalidomide is available only in a 28-day supply from a certified pharmacy under a special program. You must be registered in the program and agree to use birth control as required.
Thalidomide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
Never use thalidomide if you are pregnant. Even one dose of thalidomide can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects or death of a baby if the mother or the father is taking this medicine at the time of conception or during pregnancy.
Both men and women using this medicine should use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy during treatment, and for up to 4 weeks after your last dose.
Thalidomide may cause blood clots. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have symptoms such as sudden numbness, severe headache, problems with vision or speech, chest pain, shortness of breath, or swelling in your arm or leg.
