Trade Names:Thalomid- Capsules 50 mg- Capsules 100 mg- Capsules 200 mg
Possesses immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic properties; mechanism of action not fully understood.
T max is 2.9 to 5.7 h. Coadministration with a high-fat meal causes minor (less than 10%) changes in AUC and C max ; however, it causes an increase in T max to approximately 6 h.
Not hepatically metabolized to any large extent but appears to undergo nonenzymatic hydrolysis in plasma to multiple metabolites.
Half-life is 5 to 7 h. Renal Cl of 1.15 mL/min with less than 0.7% of the dose excreted in urine as unchanged drug.
Urinary levels were undetectable 48 h after dosing.
Acute treatment of cutaneous manifestations of moderate to severe erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL); maintenance therapy for prevention and suppression of cutaneous manifestations of ENL recurrence; treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in combination with dexamethasone.
Graft versus host disease after bone marrow transplantation; refractory multiple myeloma; primary brain tumors; appetite stimulant for cachexia in advanced cancer; aphthous ulcers; prostate cancer (in combination with docetaxel).
Pregnancy; women capable of becoming pregnant; hypersensitivity to any component of the product.
PO Initial dose 100 to 300 mg per day, preferably 1 h after the evening meal. Give 400 mg per day at bedtime or in divided doses at least 1 h after meals to patients with severe cutaneous ENL reaction or to those who have previously required higher doses to control reaction.
Tapering ScheduleContinue dosing until signs and symptoms have subsided, usually for at least 2 wk. Taper in 50 mg decrements every 2 to 4 wk. In patients requiring prolonged maintenance treatment to prevent recurrence or who flare during tapering, decrease medication every 3 to 6 mo in decrements of 50 mg every 2 to 4 wk.
Multiple MyelomaAdultsPO 200 mg once daily, preferably at bedtime and at least 1 h after the evening meal. Dexamethasone 40 mg is administered on days 1 to 4, 9 to 12, and 17 to 20 every 28 days.
Store capsules at 59° to 86°F. Protect from light.
The sedative effect of these drugs may be enhanced.
None well documented.
The following adverse reactions are treatment-emergent signs and symptoms occurring in thalidomide-treated ENL and multiple myeloma patients. Percentages are listed for adverse reactions occurring in controlled clinical trials. Adverse reactions that do not contain percentages were collected from uncontrolled studies in ENL-treated patients, and the incidence rate cannot be determined. Adverse reactions listed as occurring during treatment of ENL involved thalidomide monotherapy while treatment of multiple myeloma involved coadministration of thalidomide plus dexamethasone.
Angina pectoris; arrhythmia; atrial fibrillation; bradycardia; cerebral ischemia; cerebrovascular accident; CHF; deep thrombophlebitis; heart arrest; heart failure; hypertension; hypotension; MI; murmur; orthostatic hypotension; palpitation; pericarditis; peripheral vascular disorder; tachycardia; thrombophlebitis; thrombosis; vasodilation; ECG abnormalities, sick sinus syndrome, syncope (postmarketing).
Multiple myelomaThrombosis/embolism (22%); hypotension (16%); hypertension (11%).
Somnolence (38%); headache (12%); asthenia, malaise, vertigo (8%); dizziness, tremor (4%); abnormal gait; abnormal thinking; agitation; amnesia; anxiety; ataxia; causalgia; circumoral paresthesia; confusion; decreased libido; decreased reflexes; dementia; depression; dizziness; drowsiness; dysesthesia; dyskinesia; emotional lability; euphoria; hostility; hypalgesia; hyperesthesia; hyperkinesias; incoordination; insomnia; meningitis; nervousness; neuralgia; neuritis; neurologic disorder; neuropathy; paresthesia; peripheral neuritis; peripheral neuropathy; psychosis; tremor; disturbances in consciousness (including lethargy), hangover effect, loss of consciousness or stupor, mental status or mood changes (including depression and suicide attempts), migraine, seizures (including tonic-clonic seizures and status epilepticus) (postmarketing).
Multiple myelomaFatigue (79%); sensory neuropathy (54%); confusion (28%); anxiety/agitation, tremor (26%); depression, insomnia, motor neuropathy (22%); dizziness/light-headedness (20%).
Rash (21%); pruritus (8%); fungal dermatitis, maculopapular rash, nail disorder (4%); acne; alopecia; angioedema; benign skin neoplasm; dry skin; eczema; eczematous rash; exfoliative dermatitis; herpes simplex; ichthyosis; incomplete Stevens-Johnson syndrome; perifollicular thickening; psoriasis; seborrhea; skin discoloration; skin disorder; skin necrosis; sweating; urticaria; vesiculobullous rash; erythema multiforme, erythema nodosum, petechiae, purpura (postmarketing).
Multiple myelomaRash/desquamation (30%); dry skin (21%).
Pharyngitis, rhinitis (4%); amblyopia; conjunctivitis; deafness; dry eyes; eye pain; lacrimation disorder; retinitis; taste perversion; tinnitus; diplopia, nystagmus (postmarketing).
Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, oral moniliasis, toothache (4%); anorexia; cholangitis; cholestatic jaundice; colitis; dry mouth; dyspepsia; dysphagia; enlarged abdomen; esophagitis; flatulence; gastroenteritis; GI disorder; GI hemorrhage; gum disorder; increased appetite; pancreatitis; parotid gland enlargement; periodontitis; stomatitis; tongue discoloration; tooth disorder; aphthous stomatitis, stomach ulcer (postmarketing).
Multiple myelomaConstipation (55%); anorexia, nausea (28%); diarrhea, vomiting (12%); dyspepsia (8%).
Impotence (8%); acute renal failure; albuminuria; decreased CrCl; hematuria; orchitis; proteinuria; pyuria; urinary frequency; amenorrhea, enuresis, galactorrhea, gynecomastia, metrorrhagia, oliguria (postmarketing).
Multiple myelomaCreatinine increased (35%).
Abnormal RBC; aplastic anemia; decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate; elevated mean cell volume; eosinophilia; granulocytopenia; hypochromic anemia; leukemia; leukocytosis; leukopenia; macrocytic anemia; megaloblastic anemia; microcytic anemia; myelogenous leukemia; neutropenia; thrombocytopenia; chronic myelogenous leukemia, erythroleukemia, pancytopenia, PT changes, WBC decrease (including neutropenia and febrile neutropenia) (postmarketing).
Multiple myelomaDecreased hemoglobin (78%); decreased leukocytes (35%); decreased neutrophils (31%); decreased platelets (24%).
Abnormal LFTs; enlarged liver; hepatitis; increased AST; bile duct obstruction (postmarketing).
Multiple myelomaIncreased alkaline phosphatase (26%); increased AST (24%); increased bilirubin (14%).
Peripheral edema (4%); abnormal electrolytes; amyloidosis; avitaminosis; bilirubinemia; cyanosis; decreased phosphate; dehydration; diabetes; edema; facial edema; hyperlipidemia; inappropriate antidiuretic hormone; hypercholesteremia; hyperglycemia; hyperkalemia; hyperuricemia; hypocalcemia; hypoglycemia; hypomagnesemia; hypoproteinemia; increased alkaline phosphatase; increased BUN; increased LDH; increased lipase; increased serum creatinine; peripheral edema; hyponatremia, hypothyroidism, myxedema (postmarketing).
Multiple myelomaHyperglycemia (72%); edema (57%); hypocalcemia (43%); hypokalemia, weight gain, weight loss (22%); hyperkalemia (19%).
Back pain, neck pain, neck rigidity (4%); arthritis; bone tenderness; hypertonia; joint disorder; leg cramps; myalgia; myasthenia; periosteal disorder.
Multiple myelomaMuscle weakness (40%); bone pain (30%); myalgia (17%); arthralgia (13%).
Sinusitis (4%); apnea; bronchitis; cough; emphysema; epistaxis; lung disorder; lung edema; pulmonary embolus; pneumonia (including Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia); rales; rhinitis; upper respiratory tract infection; voice alteration; dyspnea, pleural effusion (postmarketing).
Multiple myelomaDyspnea (42%); cough (15%).
Pain (8%); accidental injury, chills, facial edema (4%); AIDS; allergic reactions; altered thyroid hormone level; ascites; cellulitis; chest pain; cyst; decreased CD4 count; flu syndrome; hernia; HIV viral load increase; hypersensitivity; infection; lymphadenopathy; moniliasis; palpable spleen; photosensitivity; sarcoma; sepsis; teratogenicity; upper extremity pain; viral infection; carpal tunnel, dysesthesia, foot drop, lymphadenopathy, lymphopenia, nodular sclerosing Hodgkin disease (postmarketing).
Multiple myelomaFever, pain (24%); infection (22%).
Category X. If pregnancy occurs, discontinue treatment immediately.
Undetermined.
Safety and efficacy in children younger than 12 yr of age not established.
Has been reported; signs and symptoms may include erythematous macular rash, possibly associated with fever, hypotension, and tachycardia.
May occur; avoid exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light.
Contraindicated in women of childbearing potential unless alternative therapies are inappropriate and patient meets the following conditions (ie, unable to become pregnant while on thalidomide): understands and can carry out instructions; is capable of complying with mandatory contraceptive measures, pregnancy testing, patient registration, and patient survey described in the S.T.E.P.S. program; received both oral and written warning of hazards of taking thalidomide during pregnancy and of exposing fetus to drug; received oral and written warnings of risk of possible contraception failure and need to use 2 reliable forms of contraception simultaneously, unless continuous abstinence from reproductive heterosexual intercourse is chosen (sexually mature women who have not undergone hysterectomy or who have not been postmenopausal for at least 24 consecutive mo [who have had menses at some time in the preceding 24 consecutive mo] are considered to be of childbearing potential); acknowledges in writing understanding of these warnings and of need for using 2 reliable methods of contraception for 1 mo prior to starting thalidomide therapy, during therapy, and for 1 mo after stopping thalidomide; has had negative pregnancy test with sensitivity of 50 milliunits/mL or greater within 24 h of starting therapy; parent or legal guardian reads this material and agrees to ensure compliance with previous instructions for patients between 12 and 18 yr of age.
Contraindicated in sexually mature males unless the following conditions are met: understands and can carry out instructions; is capable of complying with mandatory contraceptive measures appropriate for men, patient registration, and patient survey as described in S.T.E.P.S. program; received both oral and written warnings of risk of possible contraception failure and of need for barrier contraception (latex condom) in women of childbearing potential (even if he has undergone vasectomy); acknowledges in writing understanding of these warnings and the need for barrier contraception; parent or legal guardian reads this material and agrees to ensure compliance with the previous instructions for patients between 12 and 18 yr of age.
Serious and life-threatening dermatologic reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, may occur.
Physical and psychological dependence not reported in patients taking thalidomide.
Plasma HIV RNA levels were found to increase.
Decreased WBC, including neutropenia, has been reported. Treatment should not be initiated with an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of less than 750/mm 3 . Monitor WBC and differential on an ongoing basis.
May cause permanent nerve damage. Not indicated as monotherapy for ENL treatment in presence of moderate to severe neuritis. Use drugs associated with peripheral neuropathy with caution.
May only be prescribed and dispensed by prescribers in the S.T.E.P.S. program.
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