What is Pomalyst?
Pomalyst can affect your immune system. It stimulates the immune response to slow the growth of tumors. Pomalyst can be used to treat multimyeloma (cancer caused by an ongoing blood disorder). It is usually prescribed after at least two drugs have been tried but with no results.
Pomalyst may also be employed to manage AIDS-related Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) when highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) hasn't worked efficiently enough or has stopped working. This medication is also utilized for treating Kaposi sarcoma among adults who are HIV-negative. The product is only available from a pharmacy certified under an exclusive program. You must be enrolled in the program and agree to take birth control measures in accordance with the requirements.
Warnings
Never use Pomalyst if you are pregnant. One dose of pomalidomide could result in fatal birth defects or the death of a newborn in the event that the mother or father are taking this medication during the time of conception or during the 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 when you begin taking Pomalyst and then four weeks after you cease taking it. For males, use a condom to avoid the possibility of pregnancy while taking Pomalyst and up to 4 weeks after stopping taking it.
Pomalyst may cause blood clots. Consult your physician immediately. If you notice symptoms like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, sudden numbness, or weakness, as well as problems with vision or speech or redness or swelling in your leg or arm,
Prior to use this drug
You shouldn't take Pomalyst. If you are allergic to pomalidomide or are expecting Pomalidomide could cause severe birth defects that could threaten the life of a baby or even the death of a child when the father or mother is taking this medication during the moment of conception or pregnancy. Even one dose of Pomalyst could cause serious problems for the baby's legs and arms, bones and limbs, eyes, ears, face, and heart. Don't take pomalidomide when you are expecting. Tell your doctor immediately if your menstrual cycle is delayed during the time you take this medicine. Women (if you've not had surgery to remove your uterus): Do not take Pomalyst if expecting. Utilize two birth control methods, starting 4 weeks prior to the time you begin taking Pomalyst and finishing 4 weeks after the last dose. Women with fertility issues must take birth control when taking this medication. It is also necessary to have an unconfirmed pregnancy test 10–14 days prior to treatment and then again 24 hours prior. When you take Pomalyst, it is recommended that you take an ultrasound every 2 to 4 weeks. The method for controlling births should be demonstrated to be highly efficient (birth control pills, intrauterine devices, tubal ligation, sex, or the vasectomy of a partner). The additional form should be a barrier like a condom made of latex diaphragms or cervical caps.
Stop taking Pomalyst and consult your physician immediately if you have stopped taking birth control pills, if your period isn't coming in on time, or if you suspect you may be pregnant. Not having sexual intimate relations (abstinence) is the most efficient way of keeping yourself from becoming pregnant. Men: If a man has a child while taking Pomalyst, the child could be born with birth defects. Utilize a condom to avoid pregnancy when you are taking Pomalyst for up to four weeks following the last dose. You must sign a written agreement that you will make use of latex condoms whenever you have sexual relations with someone who is capable of becoming pregnant, regardless of whether you've undergone the vasectomy. Contact your doctor in the event that you've had unprotected sexual contact, even if it was just once, or that you think your partner is expecting.
The medicine can alter the fertility (ability to have children) in females. It is nevertheless important to use birth control in order to keep your baby safe because pomalidomide may affect the unborn baby.
If you're expecting, then your name might be included on the registry for pregnancy to monitor any effects of the drug pomalidomide on the infant.
To ensure that Pomalyst is suitable for you, inform your doctor if you have ever been treated with it.
- Liver disease (especially hepatitis B);
- Renal disease (or if you're taking dialysis);
- Risk factors that could lead to coronary risk factors (such as high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes; menopausal smoking or having an ancestor with a background of coronary diseases; being overweight or older than 40 and a male);
- If you also use pembrolizumab (Keytruda); or
- If you smoke (smoking can reduce the effectiveness of pomalidomide and could increase your chance of having a blood clot or stroke while you are taking this medication),
Pomalyst could cause other kinds of cancer, including leukemia or lymphoma. Consult your physician about this possibility.
It is not recommended to use this medicine while breastfeeding.
Similar or related drugs
Darzalex, Blenrep, Tecvayli, Carvykti, Revlimid, Paclitaxel, and Taxol
How to take Pomalyst?
Follow the exact dosage as recommended by your physician. Follow the directions on the label of your prescription and study all medication guides or instructions sheets. Never share this medication when you are sharing it with someone else.
Each dose should be taken by drinking a full glass of water. The medicine should be taken every day, whether with or without eating. Inhale the capsule completely. Don't break, chew, open, or chew on a Pomalyst capsule. The medicine in broken pills can be dangerous if it comes into your eyes, mouth, nose, or face. If this happens, you should wash your face with water and soap or rinse your eyes in 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 Pomalyst to your doctor or as prescribed by your doctor.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Multiple Myeloma:
4 mg taken orally every day from Days 1 to 21 of a series of 28-day cycles, in conjunction with dexamethasone up to the point of disease progression or unacceptably toxic
Comments:
Check the information on the product of the manufacturer to determine the dosage of dexamethasone.
Use: When combined with dexamethasone in patients suffering from multiple myeloma who have received at least two prior treatments, such as lenalidomide or an inhibitor of proteasomes, and have seen progression of their disease within 60 days of the end of the previous therapy
Usual Adult Dose for Kaposi's Sarcoma:
5 mg taken orally every day from Days 1 to 21 of 28-day cycles that are repeated until progression of the disease or unacceptably toxic.
Comments: Continue to take HAART as HIV treatment for patients suffering from AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma who are taking this medication.
Uses:
For adult patients suffering from AIDS-related Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) after the failure of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) in patients of adult age who are HIV-negative
What happens if I miss the dose?
Utilize the medicine as quickly as you are able, but do not take your missed dose if it exceeds 12 hours late. Don't take two doses at once.
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?
Do not give blood or sperm when you are taking Pomalyst. Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you are aware of the effects this medication will have on your body. Your reaction could be affected.
Side effects of Pomalyst
See a doctor immediately when you are experiencing symptoms or warnings of an allergic reaction (hives, dizziness, hives, rapid heartbeats, trouble breathing, swelling of your throat or face) or a severe reaction to your skin (fever and throat soreness, eye burning, irritation, and an ailment that is purple or red with peeling and blisters).
Get medical attention when you experience a severe reaction to medication that could affect the body in a variety of ways. Symptoms may include an itch on your skin or fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, extreme weakening, unusual bruising, or the appearance of yellowing on the eyes or skin.
Contact your doctor immediately. If you are suffering from:
- Numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in your feet or hands
- Heart attack symptoms include chest pain or pressure, pain that spreads into your shoulder or jaw, nausea, and sweating.
- Low blood cells (fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin wounds that are bleeding, strange pale skin, cold feet and hands, and feeling lightheaded and short of breath)
- Indications of stroke sudden weakness or numbness (especially on the opposite side) or an extreme headache and slurred speech. Balance issues
- Indications that a blood clot has formed within the lung: chest pain, a sudden cough, wheezing, fast breathing, and coughing up blood;
- Symptoms for a blood clot on your leg: swelling or warmth in the leg or arm,
- Symptoms of tumor cell loss such as weakness, confusion, muscle cramps, nausea, and quick and low heart rates reduced urination sensations of tingling in your hands, feet, or in your mouth.
The most common side-effects of Common Pomalyst can be:
- Low blood cell count;
- Abnormal lab tests;
- Rash;
- Fatigue, fever, or fatigue;
- Nausea, diarrhea, constipation;
- Cold symptoms like congestion, sneezing, and a sore throat
- Lower back pain or
- Feeling a bit breathless.
This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Other side effects could be present. Contact your doctor to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
The use of Pomalyst together with other medications that can cause confusion or dizziness could exacerbate these effects. Consult your physician before taking opioids, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medication to treat an anxiety disorder as well as seizures.
Other medications may be incompatible with pomalidomide, such as medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your physician about the medicines you are currently taking and any medication you begin or stop taking.
