Pomalyst
Generic name:pomalidomide [ pom-a-LID-oh-mide ]
Drug classes:Miscellaneous antineoplastics, Other immunosuppressants
What is Pomalyst?
Pomalyst affects the immune system. It promotes immune responses to help slow tumor growth.
Pomalyst is used to treat multiple myeloma (cancer resulting from a progressive blood disease). It is usually given after at least two other medications have been tried without success.
Pomalyst is also used to treat AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma (KS) when highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has not worked well enough or stopped working. This medicine can also be used to treat Kaposi Sarcoma in adults who are HIV-negative.
Pomalyst is available only from a certified pharmacy under a special program. You must be registered in the program and agree to use birth control measures as required.
Warnings
Never use Pomalyst you are pregnant. Even one dose of pomalidomide can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects or death of a baby if the mother or the father is taking this medicine at the time of conception or during pregnancy.
Use birth control to prevent pregnancy, whether you are a man or a woman. For women: Use two forms of birth control beginning 4 weeks before you start taking Pomalyst and ending 4 weeks after you stop taking it. For men: Use a condom to prevent pregnancy while you are taking Pomalyst, and for up to 4 weeks after you stop taking it.
Pomalyst may cause blood clots. Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden numbness or weakness, problems with vision or speech, or swelling or redness in an arm or leg.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Pomalyst if you are allergic to pomalidomide, or if you are pregnant.
Pomalidomide can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects or death of a baby if the mother or father is taking this medicine at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Even one dose of Pomalyst can cause major defects of the baby's arms and legs, bones, ears, eyes, face, and heart. Never use pomalidomide if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if your period is late while taking this medicine.
For women (if you have not had a hysterectomy): Do not use Pomalyst if you are pregnant. Use two forms of birth control beginning 4 weeks before you start taking Pomalyst and ending 4 weeks after your last dose. Even women with fertility problems are required to use birth control while taking this medicine. You must also have a negative pregnancy test at 10 to 14 days before treatment and again at 24 hours before. While you are taking Pomalyst, you will h...
