ThalidomideOral - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


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Thalidomide images:

Overview

Photos

How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Thalidomide

Uses
This medication is used to treat or prevent certain skin conditions related to Hansen's disease, once known as leprosy (erythema nodosum leprosum). Thalidomide is also used in combination with other drugs to treat a certain type of cancer (multiple myeloma). Thalidomide belongs to a class of drugs known as immunomodulators. It works in Hansen's disease by reducing swelling and redness (inflammation). It also reduces the formation of blood vessels that feed tumors.This drug may also be used to treat certain conditions caused by cancer, HIV infections, and other diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease).
Notes

Do not share this medication with others.
Do not donate blood, organs, eggs, or sperm while taking thalidomide.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., pregnancy tests, white blood count) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more details.

Storage

Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted.
Keep capsules in the original blister pack until ready to use.
Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include: prolonged sleep.

How To Use

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using thalidomide and each time you get another prescription filled.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.Take this medication by mouth with water, usually once daily at bedtime at least 1 hour after the evening meal or as directed by your doctor.Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than prescribed.
Your condition will not improve any faster, and the risk of serious side effects may be increased.Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from broken capsules.Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it.
To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens after 2 weeks.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.Drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, and dry skin may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Thalidomide may cause possibly severe nerve damage, which may be permanent.
Tell your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms: numbness/tingling/pain/burning feelings in the feet or hands, muscle weakness/cramps, feeling of tightness around the feet.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, anxiety), shaking.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: shortness of breath, chest pain, arm/leg swelling, fast/slow heartbeat, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), seizures.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before taking thalidomide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: a certain immune system problem (neutropenia).Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: numbness/tingling of arms/legs, seizures.Caution is advised with using this drug in people with HIV because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug.
While thalidomide is used to treat muscle wasting and other HIV-related conditions, the drug might either increase or decrease the amount of HIV in your system (viral load).
Therefore, the manufacturer recommends having periodic HIV blood tests.This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy.
Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness.
Limit alcoholic beverages.To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.Thalidomide must not be used during pregnancy due to the risk of severe birth defects and other serious, sometimes fatal harm to an unborn baby.
If you are female and become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, if you miss your period or have unusual menstrual bleeding, or if you stop using 2 forms of birth control, stop taking thalidomide and tell your doctor immediately.
If you are male and have had unprotected sex with a woman who can become pregnant, or if you think your sexual partner may be pregnant, tell both of your doctors immediately.
(See also Warning section.)It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk.
Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not double the dose to catch up.

Drug Interactions

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: drugs that cause neuropathy (e.g., certain antiretroviral drugs including didanosine/zalcitabine, certain cancer drugs including paclitaxel/cisplatin/vincristine).Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: alcohol, certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone), reserpine.Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that may cause drowsiness.
Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.Certain drugs can decrease the effectiveness of combination-type birth control by decreasing the amount of birth control hormones in your system.
This can result in pregnancy.
These drugs include: many antibiotics (e.g., cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, macrolides such as erythromycin, tetracyclines, penicillins, sulfas), aprepitant, bexarotene, bosentan, dapsone, felbamate, griseofulvin, certain HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., amprenavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir), modafinil, nevirapine, phenylbutazone, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), many seizure medications (e.g., barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine, topiramate), St John's wort, troglitazone.Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details, and ask if you should use additional reliable birth control methods while taking any of the drugs listed above.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.