Uses of Pomalidomide

Pomalidomide is used in adults in combination with other anti-cancer agents (such as dexamethasone and/or bortezomib) to treat multiple myeloma (to stop the growth of abnormal plasma cells (a type of white blood cells) in the blood). 

Therapeutic Category

Pomalidomide: Immunomodulating agents

How Pomalidomide works

Pomalidomide stimulates the immune system to stop the growth of abnormal plasma cells (a type of white blood cells) in the blood. This helps in destroying the cancer cells in the blood and prevents it from developing further. It also reduces blood supply to the cancer cells, which helps in preventing further spread of cancer cells in the body.

Common side effects of Pomalidomide

• shortness of breath
• infections of lung or respiratory tract (bronchitis, sinusitis, pneumonia)
• anaemia (low RBC in blood causing tiredness and weakness)
• low blood sodium, potassium, magnesium and phosphate levels
• high blood calcium levels
• elevated blood sugar levels
• nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, stomach pain
• lack of energy, muscle weakness
• difficulty in sleeping
• dizziness, tremor, spinning sensation
• numbness, tingling or burning sensation on the body
• swelling of the arms and leg or body
• skin rash, itching, shingles
• high blood pressure
• high uric acid levels in blood
• changes in taste, mouth ulcers, dry mouth
• feeling confused, depression
• urinary tract infections
• weight loss

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor:

• In case of accidental overdosage
• If you experience signs of infections (such as fever, chills, sore throat, cough, mouth ulcers or any other signs of infection)
• If you experience increased bleeding or bruising, nasal bleeds, bleeding in the gut
• If you experience signs of sepsis (such as fever, chills, low urine output, nausea and vomiting, confusion, rapid breathing)
• If you experience severe persistent bloody diarrhoea
• If you experience signs of blood clot (such as chest pain, shortness of breath, leg pain and swelling, heart failure)
• If you experience signs of allergic reactions (such as skin rash, swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or throat which can lead to difficulty in breathing or swallowing)
• If you experience skin cancer, changes in skin colour
• If you experience signs of liver damage (such as yellowish discolouration of the skin and eyes, dark, brown-coloured urine, right-sided abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting)
• If you experience signs of severe allergic skin reactions (such as skin rash on the face or whole body, redness, high fever, flu-like symptoms with enlarged lymph nodes)
• If you experience signs of posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (a nerve disorder causing abnormal vision from blurriness to vision loss, problems in walking and speaking, loss of balance, weak arms or legs, memory loss, confusion, fits, headache, numbness of body parts)

Health Tips for Pomalidomide

• It is important to use effective contraception during treatment this treatment and for at least 4 weeks after stopping the medication. Men should also use contraception if their sexual partner is pregnant or could become pregnant
• Take this medicine with food to minimize stomach upset
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, while taking this medicine. This can help prevent dehydration, a common side effect of the medication
• Monitor blood cell counts regularly while taking this medicine