Pomalidomide is used together with other medicines to treat multiple myeloma (cancer of the bone marrow). It is used for those who have failed previous therapy and whose disease has progressed within 60 days of the last completed treatment.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Pomalidomide exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Swallow it whole. Do not divide, chew or crush the capsule. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Pomalidomide is usually taken for 21 days of a 28-day cycle. The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of your treatment depending on your condition.
If you miss a dose and less than 12 hours have passed, take the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
If more than 12 hours have passed since your missed dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Pomalidomide if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine.
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while on Pomalidomide therapy, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child.
It is important that you do not get pregnant while taking this medicine. You must use proven birth control methods Pomalidomide therapy and 4 weeks after stopping the treatment. Birth control medicines containing hormones may not be effective. You may wish to discuss other reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Men with partners who may become pregnant must use effective methods of birth control (e.g. condom) during sexual intercourse when taking this medicine and for up to 7 days after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss this further with your doctor.
Alert your doctor if you have any problems complying with the required birth control measures.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history or at risk of blood clot disorders
- history or at risk of heart disease
- history of Hepatitis B infection
- high amount of tumour in your body
- cigarette smoker
- liver disease
- sever kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
Do not donate blood or semen (for men) while taking this medicine, during any breaks (interruption), or for at least 1 week after stopping the treatment.
Pomalidomide can be absorbed through the skin. Women who are or may be pregnant must not touch the capsule as it can cause harm to the unborn child.
Wear gloves when handling this medicine to minimise any skin contact. If accidental contact with broken capsule occurs, wash it immediately with soap and water. Tell your doctor right away.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Pregnancy tests must be done before, during, and after treatment to know if this medicine is suited for you to take.
- Your doctor may also perform hepatitis B virus screening before starting the treatment.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver, kidney, and thyroid function, complete blood count) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring for signs and symptoms of serious skin or allergic reactions, lung disease, nerve problems (e.g. tingling, numbness, and pain usually in the hands and feet), and blood clot problems (e.g. chest pain, shortness of breath, arm or leg swelling) may also be needed.
Pomalidomide may cause dizziness or confusion. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, stomach pain, cough, tiredness, fever, chills, muscle weakness or spasms, pain in the back, bone or joints, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, itchiness, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, mouth or throat
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever, ender or enlarged lymph nodes, swelling of the face
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- loss of coordination, loss of language ability, memory loss, and vision problems
This medicine will cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Alert your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Alert your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- fluvoxamine (medicine to treat depression)
- ciprofloxacin (antibiotic)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Pomalidomide.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
As Pomalidomide is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired capsules to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
Follow applicable guidelines when handling this medicine.
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