Pomalidomide
About Pomalidomide
Pomalidomide is a prescription medicine used to treat multiple myeloma (a type of bone marrow cancer) and Kaposi sarcoma (a rare cancer of the blood vessels and skin). It is typically prescribed when other treatments have stopped working, helping to slow down or stop the growth of abnormal cancer cells. By targeting these diseased cells, the medication helps control the progression of the illness.
This medicine is taken in structured cycles, which involve taking the medication daily for a specific number of days followed by a rest period. You should take it at the same time each day, with or without food, by swallowing the capsule whole with water. Drinking plenty of fluids and eating a balanced diet can help your body manage the treatment and support your overall strength.
Common side effects include feeling very tired, low blood cell counts, and constipation. It is vital to contact your doctor immediately if you experience signs of blood clots, such as sudden shortness of breath or pain and swelling in your leg, or signs of a serious infection like a high fever. Your healthcare team will monitor you closely for these issues throughout your treatment.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or could become pregnant, as it can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects or death to an unborn baby. Pregnancy testing and strict pregnancy prevention measures are required before, during, and after treatment. Before starting, talk to your doctor if you have a history of liver damage, kidney disease, blood clots, or heart problems. This medicine is supplied through a strict pregnancy-prevention and safety programme, and you may be required to complete counselling, pregnancy testing, and regular follow-up before receiving each prescription.
This medicine can interact with other drugs that cause sleepiness or affect your blood's ability to clot, and smoking can make it less effective. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding must not take Pomalidomide, and elderly individuals may need closer monitoring of their kidney function while using it. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about all other substances you are taking before starting treatment.
Uses of Pomalidomide
Medicinal Benefits
Using Pomalidomide as prescribed helps control certain cancers and supports your body's ability to fight cancer cells. Here are the key benefits you can expect:
- Helps control cancer growth: Targets and destroys cancer cells, helping slow disease progression and prolong periods of remission.
- Supports the immune system: Enhances your body's natural immune response, helping immune cells recognise and attack cancer cells more effectively.
- Relieves cancer-related symptoms: Helps shrink Kaposi sarcoma lesions and reduce associated pain or swelling. In people with multiple myeloma, controlling the cancer may help reduce bone pain and severe fatigue over time.
Directions for Use
- Pomalidomide can be taken with or without food.
- Pomalidomide is usually taken once a day; however, follow your doctor's advice regarding the dosage and duration.
- Swallow Pomalidomide as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, chew or crush Pomalidomide.
Storage
Side Effects of Pomalidomide
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Feeling unusually tired or weak (fatigue)
- Constipation or mild diarrhea
- Shortness of breath during mild activity
- Nausea or loss of appetite
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Signs of an allergic reaction (such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat)
- Signs of a blood clot (such as sudden chest pain, coughing up blood, swelling, warmth, or redness in an arm or leg)
- Signs of infection (such as fever of 38°C / 100.4°F or higher, chills, sore throat, or a cough that will not go away)
- Yellowing of your skin or eyes, which may indicate liver damage
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Strict pregnancy prevention: You must use two reliable forms of birth control or completely avoid sexual contact during treatment, as this medicine causes severe, permanent birth defects.
- Never share this medicine: Do not share Pomalidomide with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms, as it can be highly toxic to others.
- Do not donate blood or sperm: Do not donate blood or sperm during treatment and for at least 4 weeks after stopping this medicine. Men taking this medicine should use effective contraception during treatment and for at least 4 weeks after the last dose.
- Handle with care: If a capsule is damaged, do not touch it directly. Pregnant women should never handle the capsules or packaging of this medicine.
- Keep up with blood tests: You will need regular blood tests to monitor your blood cell counts and liver function. Do not skip these appointments.
Drug Interactions
- Strong CYP1A2 inhibitors (such as certain antibiotics like ciprofloxacin): May increase the amount of Pomalidomide in your blood, raising the risk of severe side effects.
- Blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs: Combining these with Pomalidomide can further increase your risk of bleeding, though your doctor may still prescribe a low-dose blood thinner to prevent clots.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption while on treatment with Pomalidomide.
Pregnancy
unsafePomalidomide should not be taken during pregnancy as it might cause fetal harm. Inform your doctor immediately if you are conceiving while on therapy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeYou should not breastfeed when taking Pomalidomide as it is unknown if the Pomalidomide can pass to your baby in the milk.
Driving
cautionThis treatment will make you feel very tired. If you feel tired or sleepy, do not drive or use machinery.
Liver
cautionTreatment with Pomalidomide may affect how your liver works. Please inform your doctor before prescribing Pomalidomide if you have liver impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Pomalidomide.
Kidney
cautionTreatment with Pomalidomide may affect how your kidneys work. Please inform your doctor before prescribing Pomalidomide if you have kidney impairment. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Pomalidomide.
Children
consult your doctorIt is not known if Pomalidomide is safe and effective in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Stay well-hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day. This helps your kidneys flush out waste products as cancer cells are broken down and reduces the risk of severe constipation.
- Prevent blood clots: Since Pomalidomide can increase your risk of blood clots, avoid sitting still for long periods. Take short walks, stretch your legs regularly, stay well hydrated, and follow any blood-thinner treatment prescribed by your doctor.
- Avoid infections: Because this medicine can lower your white blood cell count, wash your hands frequently, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and ensure all food is thoroughly washed and cooked.
- Protect your skin: If you are being treated for Kaposi sarcoma or experience skin changes, protect your skin from direct sunlight by wearing protective clothing and applying a gentle, broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Special Advise
- Monitoring of complete blood count while taking Pomalidomide is advised.
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent urinary problems.
- If you are due to have any surgery, inform the doctor that you are taking Pomalidomide.
- Insomnia or difficulty sleeping at night is a common side effect of Pomalidomide. This may be minimised by taking Pomalidomide in the morning.
- Women who are being given Pomalidomide should use effective contraception during treatment and for three months after treatment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Myeloma, also called multiple myeloma, is a cancer of the plasma cells. Plasma cells are white blood cells that make antibodies that protect us from infection. In myeloma, the cells grow too much, crowding out normal cells in the bone marrow that make red blood cells, platelets, and other white blood cells. Multiple myeloma, the most common type of plasma cell tumour, develops in the bone marrow and can spread throughout the body.
FAQs
Pomalidomide is used to treat Multiple myeloma.
Pomalidomide contains Pomalidomide. Pomalidomide is both a targeted therapy drug and an immunotherapy drug. It works in several different ways. It can help the immune system to attack and destroy cancer cells (immune system modulator); it kills or stops the growth of cancer cells (cancer growth inhibitor). On the other side, it can block the development of new blood vessels, which cancer cells need to grow and spread (angiogenesis inhibitor).
No, it is unsafe to father a child while taking Pomalidomide. It is recommended for sexually active men to use condoms while on treatment and for at least six months after their last dose of Pomalidomide.
Pomalidomide can affect the results of this blood test. Tell the person doing the test that you are using Pomalidomide.
Based on the medical condition, Pomalidomide may be given alone or with other medicines used to treat multiple myeloma.
Pomalidomide can cause a significant decrease in the number of blood cells and platelets. Your doctor may suggest laboratory tests before and during the treatment. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop a fever or have signs of bruising or bleeding.
If you miss the dose of Pomalidomide, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the forgotten dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take double the dose to compensate for the forgotten dose.
No, Pomalidomide is not a steroid. It is a third-generation immunomodulatory drug.
No, you must not take Pomalidomide if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it can cause severe birth defects or death to an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about strict birth control requirements.
Because Pomalidomide increases the risk of serious blood clots, your doctor will likely prescribe a daily blood thinner, such as aspirin or another medication, to help prevent clots. Talk to your doctor about what is safe for you.
No, you must swallow the capsules whole. Never open, crush, or chew them, as the powder inside is highly toxic and should not contact your skin or be inhaled. Talk to your doctor if you have trouble swallowing capsules.
Your treatment duration depends on how well the medicine works for your condition and how your body tolerates it. Your doctor will monitor your progress regularly. Talk to your doctor to understand your specific treatment plan.
It is best to avoid or limit alcohol while taking Pomalidomide because it can worsen side effects like dizziness, sleepiness, and nausea. Talk to your doctor about safe limits.
A fever can be a sign of a serious infection due to low white blood cell counts caused by Pomalidomide. Contact your healthcare team immediately if your temperature rises. Talk to your doctor right away.
No, you must not donate blood while taking Pomalidomide and for at least 4 weeks after your last dose, as the medicine in your blood could harm an unborn baby if given to a pregnant recipient. Talk to your doctor for more safety guidelines.
Hair loss is not a common side effect of Pomalidomide, but some patients may experience mild hair thinning. Talk to your doctor if you notice unexpected hair changes during your treatment.
Your doctor will arrange regular blood tests during treatment to check your blood cell counts, kidney function, liver function, and markers of multiple myeloma such as M-protein levels. Depending on your condition, you may also need urine tests, bone marrow tests, or imaging scans to see how well the treatment is working. These tests help your healthcare team decide whether to continue, adjust, or change your therapy.
You should not take Pomalidomide if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or could become pregnant, because it can cause severe birth defects. You should also avoid this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to Pomalidomide, thalidomide, lenalidomide, or any ingredient in the capsule. Tell your doctor about any previous medicine allergies before starting treatment.
The rest period allows your body, especially your bone marrow, time to recover before the next cycle begins. During this time, your doctor will review your blood test results and any side effects to determine when it is safe to restart treatment.
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