Thalidomide: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described in detail in other labeling sections: • Teratogenicity [see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.2) , and Patient Counseling Information (17) ] • Venous and Arterial Thromboembolism [see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.3) , and Patient Counseling Information (17) ] • Increased Mortality in Patients with MM When Pembrolizumab Is Added to a Thalidomide Analogue and Dexamethasone [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] • Drowsiness and Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] • Peripheral Neuropathy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] • Dizziness and Orthostatic Hypotension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] • Neutropenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] • Thrombocytopenia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] • Increased HIV Viral Load [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10) ] • Bradycardia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11) ] • Severe Cutaneous Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12) ] • Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13) ] • Tumor Lysis Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14) ] • Hypersensitivity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.16) ] • MM: The most common adverse reactions (≥ 20%) are fatigue, hypocalcemia, edema, constipation, neuropathy-sensory, dyspnea, muscle weakness, leukopenia, neutropenia, rash/desquamation, confusion, anorexia, nausea,…

Pregnancy ( Boxed Warning , 4.1 , 5.1 , 5.2 , 8.1 , 17 ) • Demonstrated hypersensitivity to the drug or its components ( 4.2 , 5.16 , 6.2 ) 4.1 Pregnancy THALOMID is contraindicated in females who are pregnant. THALOMID can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant female [see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . THALOMID is a powerful human teratogen, inducing a high frequency of severe and life-threatening birth defects, even after a single dose [see Boxed Warning ] . Mortality at or shortly after birth has been reported in about 40% of infants. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential risk to a fetus. If pregnancy occurs during THALOMID treatment, the drug should be discontinued immediately. 4.2 Hypersensitivity THALOMID is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to the drug or its components [see Warnings and Precautions (5.16) ].

Use caution if other drugs which have sedative and hypnotic properties, slow cardiac conduction and/or cause peripheral neuropathy must be used. ( 7.1 , 7.2 , 7.3 ) • It is not known whether concomitant use of hormonal contraceptives further increases the risk of thromboembolism with THALOMID. ( 5.15 , 7.4 ) • Patients taking concomitant therapies such as erythropoietin stimulating agents or estrogen containing therapies may have an increased risk of thromboembolism. ( 7.7 ) 7.1 Opioids, Antihistamines, Antipsychotics, Anti-anxiety Agents, or Other CNS Depressants (Including Alcohol) The use of opioids, antihistamines, antipsychotics, anti-anxiety agents, or other CNS depressants concomitantly with THALOMID may cause an additive sedative effect and should be avoided. 7.2 Drugs which Cause Bradycardia The use of drugs which slow cardiac conduction concomitantly with THALOMID may cause an additive bradycardic effect and should be used with caution. Cardiovascular medications which may cause bradycardia include calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, alpha/beta-adrenergic blockers, and digoxin. Non-cardiac drugs that may cause bradycardia include H2 blockers (e.g., famotidine, cimetidine), lithium, tricyclic antidepressants and neuromuscular blockers (succinylcholine). In 16 healthy men, the pharmacokinetic profile of a single 0.5 mg digoxin dose was similar with and without the coadministration of THALOMID 200 mg/day at steady state levels. The single dose of digoxin had no effect on the pharmacokinetic profile of THALOMID. The safety of long-term concomitant use of THALOMID and digoxin has not been evaluated. 7.3 Drugs which Cause Peripheral Neuropathy The use of drugs which cause peripheral neuropathy (e.g., bortezomib, amiodarone, cisplatin, docetaxel, paclitaxel, vincristine, disulfiram, phenytoin, metronidazole, alcohol) can cause an additive effect and should be used with caution. 7.4 Hormonal Contraceptives Hormonal contraceptives increase the risk of thromboembolism. It is not known whether concomitant use of hormonal contraceptives further increases the risk of thromboembolism with THALOMID. In 10 healthy women, the pharmacokinetic profiles of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol following administration of a single dose containing 1.0 mg of norethindrone acetate and 75 mcg of ethinyl estradiol were studied. The results were similar with and without coadministration of THALOMID 200 mg/day to steady-state levels. 7.5 Warfarin In 13 healthy men, the pharmacokinetic profile and international normalized ratio (INR) of prothrombin time for warfarin, following a single oral dose of 25 mg, were similar with and without the coadministration of THALOMID 200 mg/day at steady-state levels. The single dose of warfarin had no effect on the pharmacokinetic profile of thalidomide. 7.6 Drugs that Interfere with Hormonal Contraceptives Concomitant use of HIV-protease inhibitors, griseofulvin, modafinil, penicillins, rifampin, rifabutin, phenytoin, carbamazepine, or certain herbal supplements such as St. John's Wort with hormonal contraceptive agents may reduce the effectiveness of the contraception up to one month after discontinuation of these concomitant therapies. Therefore, females requiring treatment with one or more of these drugs must use two OTHER effective or highly effective methods of contraception while taking THALOMID. 7.7 Concomitant Therapies that may Increase the Risk of Thromboembolism Erythropoietic agents, or other agents that may increase the risk of thromboembolism, such as estrogen containing therapies, should be used with caution in multiple myeloma patients receiving THALOMID with dexamethasone [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ].