Pomalidomide

What is Pomaldomide?

Pomalidomide is a treatment for multimyeloma (cancer that results from a chronic blood disorder). Pomalidomide is typically prescribed after at least two other drugs have been tried without success.

Pomalidomide can also be utilized in the treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma when other therapies have not worked or ended up failing. Pomalidomide is also utilized in the treatment of Kaposi Sarcoma in adults who are HIV-negative.

Pomalidomide is only available through an accredited pharmacy that is part of an exclusive program. You must sign up for the program and be able to follow the birth control measures in accordance with the requirements. Pomalidomide is also employed for other purposes that are not covered in this medication guide.

Side effects of Pomalidomide

Contact emergency medical assistance when you are experiencing symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction (hives, dizziness, shaky heartbeats, difficulty breathing, swelling of your throat or face) or an extreme skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burnt eyes, irritation, red or purple itching, blistering, and peeling).

Consult a doctor in the event of a serious reaction to a drug that affects the body in a variety of ways. Symptoms may include an itch on your skin and fever, swelling of the glands, influenza-like symptoms, muscular aches, extreme weakness, unusual bruising, or a yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Pomalidomide may cause serious side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you suffer from:

• Tingling, numbness, and burning sensations in your feet or hands
• Heart attack symptoms include chest pressure or pain, pain expanding to your shoulder or jaw, nausea, and sweating.
• Low blood cell counts—fever chills, tiredness, skin sores, mouth wounds that are bleeding, strange white skin chills, cold feet and hands—all feeling lightheaded or breathless;
• Indications of symptoms of a stroke—sudden weakness or numbness (especially for one leg) or an extreme headache and slurred speech. Balance problems
• Symptoms for a clot of blood within the lung: chest pain, abrupt breath, wheezing, fast breathing, and coughing up blood
• Symptoms that a blood clot has formed on your leg, such as swelling, warmth, or redness on your leg or arm; or
• Signs of tumor cell breakdown: confusion, weakness, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, fast or slow heart rate, decreased urination, tingling in your hands and feet, or around your mouth.

Common adverse effects of pomalidomide could include:

• Low blood cell count;
• Abnormal lab tests;
• Rash;
• Fatigue, fever, or tiredness;
• Nausea, diarrhea, constipation;
• Cold symptoms like nasal stuffiness, sneezing, a sore throat,
• Back pain or
• Feeling sluggish.

This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Other side effects could occur. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Similar/related drugs

Darzalex, Blenrep, Tecvayli, Carvykti, Revlimid, Paclitaxel, and Taxol

Warnings

Never use pomalidomide if you are pregnant. Just one dose of pomalidomide may result in life-threatening birth defects or even the death of a child when the mother or father are taking this medication during the moment of conception or pregnancy.

Utilize birth control to avoid the onset of pregnancy, whether male or female. Women: Use two types of birth control that begin four weeks prior to the time you begin taking pomalidomide and finish four weeks after you cease taking it. For males, use a condom to avoid pregnancy while you're taking pomalidomide and for up to four weeks after you have stopped taking it.

Pomalidomide may cause blood clots. Contact your doctor immediately when you experience symptoms like discomfort in your chest, breathing problems, sudden numbness or weakening of the eyes, difficulty in speech or vision, or redness or swelling in the leg or arm.

Prior to use this drug

Pomalidomide is not a good choice in case you have an allergy to it or are pregnant. Pomalidomide may cause serious birth defects, which can be life-threatening, or the death of a child when the father or mother is taking this medication during the time of conception or pregnancy. Even one dose of pomalidomide may cause severe problems for the baby's legs and arms, bones, ear, eyes, face, and heart. Don't take pomalidomide when you are expecting. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice that your menstrual cycle is delayed while you are taking the drug.

Women (if you haven't had surgery to remove your uterus): Do not make use of pomalidomide when you are expecting. Utilize two birth control methods, starting 4 weeks prior to the time you begin taking pomalidomide and finishing 4 weeks after the last dose. Women who have fertility issues must take birth control when taking the drug. It is also necessary to undergo a pregnancy test that is negative within 10 to 14 days prior to treatment and another time at least 24 hours prior. If treatment is taking place, you'll have a prenatal check every two to four weeks.

The method for controlling births should be demonstrated to be highly efficient (birth control pills or intrauterine devices, tubal ligation, or sex vasectomy of a partner). The additional form should be a barrier like a condom made of latex diaphragm, diaphragm, and cervical caps. Stop taking pomalidomide and notify your doctor immediately when you stop taking birth control, if your period isn't coming in on time, or if you suspect you may be expecting. Not having sexual intimate relations (abstinence) can be the best method for keeping yourself from becoming pregnant.

For males: If a man is a father while taking pomalidomide for the first time, the baby could be born with birth defects. Make sure to use a condom in order to avoid the birth of a baby while you are taking pomalidomide and up to 4 weeks after the last dose. You must sign a written agreement that you will utilize latex condoms when you are having sexual contact with someone who is likely to become pregnant, regardless of whether you've been through the vasectomy. Contact your doctor in the event that you've had unprotected sex even once or that you think your partner is pregnant. The medicine can alter fertility (the ability to bear children) if you're pregnant. It is vital to utilize birth control to avoid pregnancy since pomalidomide could cause harm to a baby who is not born. If you're pregnant and you are a registered mother, your name could be included on an ob-gyn registry to monitor any effects of the drug pomalidomide on the infant.

Inform your doctor if you have ever suffered from:

• Liver disease (especially hepatitis B);
• Renal disease (or if you're taking dialysis);
• Risk factors that could lead to coronary arterial disease (such as high blood pressure cholesterol levels, menopausal, diabetes, smoking, or having the family background of coronary disease being overweight or older than 40 years old and a man);
• If you also use pembrolizumab (Keytruda); or
• Smoking cigarettes (smoking can cause pomalidomide to become less effective and could increase the risk of suffering a bleeding stroke, blood clot, or other injury when using this medication).

Pomalidomide can cause different types of cancer, like leukemia or lymphoma. Talk to your doctor about this possibility. It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking this medication.

How to take Pomalidomide?

Do not share pomalidomide. Follow the instructions on the label of your prescription and also read all medication guides or instructions sheets. Make sure you use the medicine precisely as directed. Every dose is taken with a full glass of water. The medicine should be taken every day, either with or without meals. Take the capsules whole.

Do not chew, break, or open the pomalidomide capsule. The medication from broken pills can be hazardous if it comes into your eyes, mouth, nose, or face. If this happens, clean your skin with soap and water, or wash your eyes with water. Consult your pharmacist on how to safely get rid of a pill that has been broken. You might require regular blood tests. Keep it at room temperature and far from heat and moisture. Return any unopened medication to your doctor or as prescribed.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Multiple Myeloma:

4 mg once orally per day from Days 1 to 21 of the 28-day cycles that are repeated together with the dexamethasone until the disease progresses or becomes unacceptably toxic.

Comments:
Consult the product information of the manufacturer to determine the dosage of dexamethasone.

Use: In conjunction with dexamethasone to treat patients with multiple myeloma who have had at least two previous therapies comprising lenalidomide and an inhibitor of proteasomes and have shown progression of the disease within 60 days of the end of the previous therapy.

Usual Adult Dose for Kaposi's Sarcoma:

5 mg once orally, every day from Days 1 to 21 of the 28-day cycles that are repeated until the disease progresses or is unacceptably toxic.

Comments:
Continue HAART for HIV treatment for patients suffering from AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma while taking this medication.

Uses:
Adult patients with AIDS-related Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) following failure of treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)
Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) in patients of adult age who are HIV-negative

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medication as quickly as you are able, but avoid your missed dose in case you have been more than twelve hours late to the dose. Do not take two doses in one go.

What happens if I overdose?

Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222

What should be avoided?

Don't donate sperm or blood when you are taking the drug pomalidomide. Avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities until you understand how pomalidomide affects you. The way you react could be affected.

Interaction with other drugs

Utilizing pomalidomide in conjunction with other medications that can cause confusion or dizziness may exacerbate the effects. Talk to your doctor prior to using opioid medications, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medication for an anxiety disorder or seizures.

Other drugs can interact with the effects of pomalidomide, such as medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, vitamins, and herbal products. Discuss with your doctor your current medications and any medication you begin or stop taking.