Details

Thalidomide is used to treat and prevent moderate to severe skin lesions caused by leprosy. It is also used together with another medicine called dexamethasone to treat multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer). Thalidomide in just a single dose can cause severe birth defects or death of a baby. Never use thalidomide if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Treatment with thalidomide may increase your risk of a blood clot or stroke during treatment for multiple myeloma. To make sure thalidomide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, or a history of stroke or blood clot low white blood cell (WBC) counts, or a weak immune system a history of seizures or if you need surgery. Thalidomide should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old.

Typical Uses

Thalidomide 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 tumours. This drug may also be used to treat certain conditions caused by cancer and HIV infection.

Side Effects

Common thalidomide side effects may include numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands or feet slow heartbeats, shallow breathing, feeling like you might pass out seizure (convulsions) easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums) signs of stomach bleeding-bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds signs of a stroke-sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance signs of a blood clot-chest pain, sudden cough, rapid breathing, swelling or warmth in an arm or leg heart attack symptoms-chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating signs of infection-fever, swollen gums, mouth sores, sore throat, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough, trouble breathing signs of tumour cell breakdown-lower back pain, blood in your urine, little or no urinating numbness or tingly feeling around your mouth muscle weakness or tightness fast or slow heart rate, weak pulse, feeling short of breath confusion, fainting or severe skin reaction-fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Drug Interactions

• Thalidomide+anastrozole- Using thalidomide together with anastrozole can increase the risk of dangerous blood clots. The risk is also increased with age, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. You may need to take a blood thinner or undergo more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Thalidomide+cabozantinib- Using thalidomide together with cabozantinib can increase the risk of dangerous blood clots. The risk is also increased with age, cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. You may need to take a blood thinner or undergo more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.
• Thalidomide+deferiprone- Deferiprone can lower white blood cell count, and combining it with other medications that can also affect bone marrow function such as thalidomide may increase the risk. You may be more likely to develop serious and potentially life-threatening infections as a result.
• Thalidomide+golimumab- Using thalidomide together with golimumab may increase the risk of serious and potentially life-threatening infections. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Mechanism of action

Thalidomide belongs to a class of medications called immunomodulatory agents. It treats multiple myeloma by strengthening the immune system to fight cancer cells. It is useful in leprosy by blocking the action of inflammatory substances that cause swelling and pain.

Pregnancy Category : X