Thalomid
Generic name:thalidomide [ tha-LID-oh-mide ]
Drug classes:Leprostatics, Miscellaneous antineoplastics, Other immunosuppressants
What is Thalomid?
Thalomid affects the immune system. It promotes immune responses to help slow tumor growth.
Thalomid is used together with dexamethasone to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer).
Thalomid is also used to treat and prevent moderate to severe skin lesions caused by leprosy.
Thalomid is available only in a 28-day supply from a certified pharmacy under a special program called Thalomid REMS. You must be registered in the program and agree to use birth control as required. You will be limited to a 28-day supply of medicine each time your prescription is refilled.
Warnings
Never use Thalomid 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.
Thalomid 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.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Thalomid if you are allergic to thalidomide.
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. Even one dose of thalidomide can cause major birth defects of the baby's arms and legs, bones, ears, eyes, face, and heart. Never use thalidomide if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if your period is late while taking Thalomid.
For Women: If you have not had a hysterectomy, you will be required to use two reliable forms of birth control beginning 4 weeks before you start taking Thalomid and ending 4 weeks after you stop taking it. Even women with fertility problems are required to use birth control while taking Thalomid. You must also have a negative pregnancy test at 10 to 14 days before treatment and again at 24 hours before. While you are taking this medicine, you will have a pregnancy test every 2 to 4 weeks.
Your birth control method must be proven highly effective, such as birth control pills, ...
