Thalidomide
Description
Thalidomide is used in combination with other medications to treat a type of blood cancer known as multiple myeloma. It is also used in the treatment of skin symptoms associated with lepra reaction (a complication of leprosy). This medicine works by altering the activity of the immune system.
Thalidomide shows side effects like constipation, dry skin, headache, dry mouth, swelling of hands and feet, decreased sexual drive, abnormal menstruation, etc. Consult your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen. This medicine also causes blurred vision, dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness. Hence, avoid driving vehicles or operating machines after taking this medicine. Avoid taking this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Thalidomide should be taken after food. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of treatment based on your clinical condition. Avoid taking more than the prescribed dose. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor, as it may worsen your condition. Try not to miss the dose of this medicine, and in case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If the delay is more than 12 hours, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Thalidomide should be used with caution if you have heart or liver problems. Inform your doctor about all your current medications to avoid any undesired effects.
Thalidomide is highly unsafe during pregnancy as it causes harm to the developing foetus. Furthermore, avoid getting pregnant while you are taking this medicine. Both men and women should use effective contraceptive methods during treatment with this medicine and for up to four weeks after the last dose to avoid the risk of unintended pregnancy.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Thalidomide
- Decrease in blood cell count
- Dizziness and Drowsiness
- Anxiety
- Chest pain
- Cough
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty in breathing
- Skin rash
- Decreased heartbeat
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Decreased sexual drive
- Constipation
Uses of Thalidomide
What is it prescribed for?
- Multiple Myeloma
- Erythema Nodosum Leprosum
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe time Thalidomide takes to show its action is not known.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Thalidomide remains active in your body is not known.
- Safe with alcohol?Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment with Thalidomide as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty in concentration, etc.
- Is it habit forming?Thalidomide has no habit-forming tendency.
- Usage in pregnancy?Thalidomide is highly unsafe for use during pregnancy due to the increased risk of serious side effects to the developing foetus. It can cause inappropriate development of limbs in the foetus.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known if Thalidomide passes into breastmilk. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Thalidomide if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Thalidomide is highly unsafe for use during pregnancy due to the increased risk of serious side effects to the developing foetus. It can cause inappropriate development of limbs in the foetus.
Breast-feeding
It is not known if Thalidomide passes into breastmilk. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Driving or operating machines
Thalidomide may cause blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, etc. Hence, avoid performing activities that require high mental alertness like driving vehicles or operating heavy machines.
Heart Attack
Thalidomide should be used with caution due to an increase in the risk of a heart attack. Inform your doctor if you have a history of a heart attack or have pre-existing heart conditions.
Peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that occurs due to damage to the nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord. It is characterised by weakness, sharp, jabbing, throbbing, or burning pain, numbness or prickling sensation usually in the hands and feet, etc. Thalidomide may cause nerve damage and should be used with caution if you have peripheral neuropathy.
Use of effective Contraception
Thalidomide is potentially harmful to the developing foetus during pregnancy. Hence, women of child-bearing potential should always use at least two reliable contraceptive methods for birth control to avoid pregnancy during treatment with this medicine. The use of contraception must begin at least four weeks before beginning the treatment, during the treatment, and continued for at least four weeks after the discontinuation of treatment.
Thalidomide is also found in the semen (the fluid that is released from the male reproductive tract and that contains sperm cells) of men. Hence, men should always use condoms during any sexual contact with women of child-bearing potential while taking this medicine and for up to four after discontinuation of the treatment to avoid pregnancy. Men should also avoid sperm donation while they are taking Thalidomide and for four weeks after discontinuation of the treatment.
Use in children
Thalidomide is not recommended for use in children below 12 years of age as the safety and efficacy data are not clinically established.
Seizures
Seizure is a condition that occurs due to disturbed nerve cell activity in the brain resulting in abnormal behaviour and loss of consciousness. Thalidomide should be used with caution if you have seizures as it may further trigger seizure attacks.
Liver Diseases
Thalidomide should be used with caution if you have liver problems due to an increased risk of liver injury. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your liver function while you are taking this medicine.
Neutropenia
Thalidomide should be used with caution as it may cause neutropenia (a low count of white blood cells that helps the body to fight against infections). Your doctor may suggest blood tests to monitor your blood cell counts while you are taking this medicine.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Thalidomide as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose of Thalidomide. Consult your doctor in case of an overdose for further guidance.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment with Thalidomide as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty in concentration, etc.
Interaction with Medicine
Live attenuated vaccines and related products
Clozapine
Ethinyl Estradiol
Cyclophosphamide
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Thalidomide may be taken after food or as instructed by your doctor. Follow all the instructions mentioned on the label or packaging insert.
Avoid taking more or less than the recommended dose. Take this medicine for the recommended duration for better results.
Use an effective contraceptive method for birth control to avoid pregnancy while taking this medication.
Avoid donating blood during treatment or up to seven days after discontinuation of this medicine to prevent the transfusion of the donated blood to a pregnant recipient.
Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your blood cell count and liver function while you are taking this medicine.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Thalidomide works by modulating the activity of the immune system and blocks the actions of certain chemicals in the body that are responsible for the growth of cancer cells and symptoms associated with lepra reaction.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Immunomodulatory Agents, Leprostatics, Miscellaneous antineoplastics
Schedule
Schedule H
Drugs, H., 2021. Thalidomide: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 12 November 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 12 November 2021].
Medsafe.govt.nz. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 12 November 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 12 November 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2022. Thalidomide Celgene 50 mg Hard Capsules - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 February 2022].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2022. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 4 February 2022].
Information on this page was last updated on 4 Feb 2022
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.