This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Thalomid
Brand Names: Canada
Thalomid
- The chance of blood clots in your child’s veins or lungs may be raised with this drug. Tell your child’s doctor right away if your child has any chest pain or pressure; coughing up blood; shortness of breath; or pain, warmth, or swelling of the legs or arms.
If your child is pregnant:
- Do not give this drug to your child during pregnancy. Even 1 dose during pregnancy may cause birth defects or loss of the unborn baby.
If your child is able to get pregnant:
- Two (2) pregnancy tests must be done to show your child is NOT pregnant before starting this drug. Your child must have pregnancy tests done while taking this drug. Talk with the doctor.
If your child is or may be sexually active:
- Your child must either not have sex or must use 2 kinds of birth control when having sex. Have your child do this for at least 4 weeks before starting this drug, during treatment and any treatment breaks, and for at least 4 weeks after the last dose. Call the doctor right away if your child has sex without using 2 kinds of birth control, if you think your child may be pregnant, or if your child misses a period during this time frame.
- If your child’s sex partner is pregnant or may get pregnant, they must always uses a latex or synthetic condom during sex. They must do this even if your child has had a vasectomy. Be sure your child uses a latex or synthetic condom during treatment, during any treatment breaks, and for at least 4 weeks after the last dose.
- If your child’s sex partner is pregnant, may get pregnant, or becomes pregnant, call the doctor right away.
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat skin signs of leprosy.
- It is used to treat multiple myeloma.
- It may be given to your child for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
What do I need to tell the doctor BEFORE my child takes this drug?
- If your child is allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell the doctor about the allergy and what signs your child had.
- If your child is taking pembrolizumab or nivolumab.
If your child is breast-feeding a baby:
- Be sure your child does not breast-feed a baby while taking this drug.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell the doctor and pharmacist about all of your child’s drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe to give this drug with all of your child’s other drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug your child takes without checking with the doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while my child takes this drug?
- Tell all of your child’s health care providers that your child is taking this drug. This includes your child’s doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness until you see how this drug affects your child. These are things like riding a bike, playing sports, or using items such as scissors, lawnmowers, electric scooters, toy cars, or motorized vehicles.
- To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, have your child rise slowly if your child has been sitting or lying down. Have your child be careful going up and down stairs.
- Have your child’s blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by the doctor.
- Be sure your child does not donate blood while using this drug and for 1 month after stopping.
- If you touch a broken capsule, or the drug inside the capsule, wash the area with soap and water.
- Your child may have more chance of getting an infection. Some infections have been deadly. Have your child wash hands often. Have your child stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
- Your child may bleed more easily. Make sure your child is careful and avoids injury. Be sure your child has a soft toothbrush.
- Alcohol may interact with this drug. Be sure your child does not drink alcohol.
- Avoid giving your child marijuana or other forms of cannabis, or prescription or OTC drugs that may slow your child’s actions.
- This drug may cause nerve problems. Most of the time, nerve problems have happened after long-term use over a few months. Nerve problems have also happened after short-term use. Signs of nerve problems may happen some time after the last dose of this drug. The signs may go away slowly or may not go away at all.
- People who are pregnant or of childbearing age must not touch the capsules.
- Be sure your child does not donate sperm while using this drug and for 1 month after stopping.
- This drug may affect being able to father a child. Talk with the doctor.
If your child is or may be sexually active:
- Certain other drugs may cause hormone-based birth control like birth control pills not to work. Be sure to tell the doctor or pharmacist about all drugs your child takes.
- Hormone-based birth control like birth control pills may also raise the risk of blood clots.
- IUDs and other implanted birth control may raise the risk of infection and bleeding in patients who have blood cell problems with this drug.
What are some side effects that I need to call my child’s doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your child’s doctor or get medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of infection like fever, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of bleeding like throwing up or coughing up blood; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; blood in the urine; black, red, or tarry stools; bleeding from the gums; abnormal vaginal bleeding; bruises without a cause or that get bigger; or bleeding you cannot stop.
- Signs of low calcium levels like muscle cramps or spasms, numbness and tingling, or seizures.
- A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Seizures.
- Very bad dizziness or passing out.
- Fast or slow heartbeat.
- Swelling.
- Swollen gland.
- Feeling confused.
- Not able to get or keep an erection.
- Patients with cancer who take this drug may be at greater risk of getting a severe health problem called tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). This may lead to death. Call your child’s doctor right away if your child has a fast or abnormal heartbeat; any passing out; trouble passing urine; muscle weakness or cramps; upset stomach, throwing up, diarrhea, or not able to eat; or feels sluggish.
- Severe skin reactions may happen with this drug. These include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and other serious reactions. Sometimes, body organs may also be affected. These reactions can be deadly. Get medical help right away if your child has signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; red or irritated eyes; sores in the mouth, throat, nose, eyes, genitals, or any areas of skin; fever; chills; body aches; shortness of breath; or swollen glands.
- The chance of heart attack or stroke due to blood clots may be raised. Call the doctor right away if your child has signs of heart attack like chest pain that may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach; abnormal sweating; or feeling sick or throwing up. Call the doctor right away if your child has signs of stroke like weakness on 1 side of the body; eyesight, speech, or balance problems; drooping on 1 side of the face; feeling confused; or severe headache.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your child’s doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother your child or do not go away:
- Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
- Constipation.
- Headache.
- Upset stomach.
- Decreased appetite.
- Dry skin.
- Dry mouth.
- Anxiety.
- Shakiness.
- Weight gain or loss.
- Muscle or joint pain.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your child’s doctor. Call your child’s doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
How is this drug best given?
Give this drug as ordered by your child’s doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- If giving once daily, give this drug with water at bedtime at least 1 hour after the evening meal.
- Have your child swallow whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
- Do not open the capsules.
- Wear gloves when touching this drug.
What do I do if my child misses a dose?
- Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it and go back to your child’s normal time.
- If it has been 12 hours or more since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child’s normal time.
- Do not give 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Store in original container.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your child’s symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your child’s doctor.
- Do not share your child’s drug with others and do not give anyone else’s drug to your child.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your child’s doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2023-04-13
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