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Thalidomide - Oral

Pronunciation: tha-LID-oh-mide

Common Brand Name(s): Thalomid

Important: How To Use This Information

This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

Warning

Women who are pregnant must not use thalidomide. Women must avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medication. Even a single dose of thalidomide has caused severe (often fatal) birth defects when used during pregnancy. You must have 2 negative pregnancy tests before you start treatment with thalidomide (within 10 to 14 days before and 24 hours before starting), repeating the test at least monthly. Do not start or continue thalidomide treatment unless you have a negative pregnancy test result.

Female patients must use 2 effective forms of birth control (or completely avoid sexual intercourse) for 1 month before starting thalidomide, during use, and for 1 month after stopping this drug. Talk to your doctor about reliable birth control choices. If your period is late, or if you have sexual intercourse at any time without using 2 effective forms of birth control, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor right away. (See also Precautions section.)

Because thalidomide also passes into semen, men who use this drug and have sex with women must use a latex condom during all sexual contact, even if they have had a vasectomy. Continue using condoms and other birth control as directed until 1 month after thalidomide treatment has been stopped.

To receive this medication in the United States, you must understand, agree to, and carefully follow the requirements of the THALOMID REMS Program. If you live in Canada or any other country, consult your doctor and pharmacist for your country's regulations.

When used to treat a certain type of cancer (multiple myeloma), thalidomide can increase the risk of serious blood clots in the legs or lungs, as well as heart attacks and strokes. Get medical help right away if you develop shortness of breath, chest pain, jaw/neck/left arm pain, weakness on one side of your body, trouble speaking, sudden vision changes, or arm/leg swelling. While you are taking thalidomide, your doctor may also direct you to take aspirin or other "blood thinners" (such as warfarin) to lessen the risk of these types of blood clots. Talk to your doctor for more information, and tell him/her if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, kidney problems, or if you smoke. (See also Side Effects section.)

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 to treat a certain type of cancer (multiple myeloma). It works in Hansen's disease by reducing swelling and redness (inflammation). It also reduces the formation of blood vessels that feed tumors.

Other Uses

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This drug may also be used for lupus, certain conditions caused by cancer, and HIV infection.

How To Use

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using thalidomide and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily at bedtime at least 1 hour after the evening meal. Swallow this medication whole with water.

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.

Keep the capsules in their blister pack until ready to use. Do not open or break the capsules, or handle them any more than needed. If any of the powder from the capsule gets on your skin, wash the area with soap and water.

Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from broken capsules. All people should wash their hands thoroughly after handling this drug.

This medication passes into body fluids (such as urine). Avoid contact with body fluids from people taking this drug. Wear protective clothing (such as gloves) when handling these body fluids (such as during cleanup). If contact occurs, wash skin with soap and water.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. If you are taking this medication for Hansen's disease, your skin condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens after 2 weeks.

Side Effects

Precautions

Before taking thalidomide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

certain blood disorders (low platelet/white blood cell count)
numbness/tingling of arms/legs
seizures

Caution is advised when 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 affect the amount of HIV in your system (viral load). The manufacturer recommends having HIV tests from time to time.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

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 your period is late or you have unusual menstrual bleeding, or if you stop using 2 forms of birth control, stop taking thalidomide and tell your doctor right away. 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 right away. (See also Warning section.)

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breastfeeding is not recommended while using this drug. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), certain antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, opioid pain relievers (such as codeine), psychiatric medicines (such as chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

It is very important for women to use 2 forms of effective birth control while taking this medication. Some drugs may cause hormonal birth control (such as pills, patch, ring) to work less well by decreasing the amount of birth control hormones in your body. This effect can result in pregnancy. Examples include griseofulvin, modafinil, rifamycins (such as rifampin, rifabutin), ritonavir, St. John's wort, drugs used to treat seizures (such as barbiturates, carbamazepine, felbamate, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate), HIV drugs (such as nelfinavir, nevirapine), among others.

Tell your doctor when you start any new drug, and discuss if you should use additional reliable birth control while using the new drug and for 1 month after stopping the drug.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: prolonged sleep.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others. Do not donate blood, organs, eggs, or sperm while taking thalidomide.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as pregnancy tests, white blood cell/platelet count) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember if it is less than 12 hours after the time you would usually take it. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Keep capsules in the original blister pack until ready to use. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Medical Alert

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised October 2023.

Selected from data included with permission and copyright by First DataBank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

Conditions of Use: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for the expertise and judgment 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. The display and use of this drug information is subject to express Terms of Use.

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