THALOMID

Drug Name: THALOMID

THALOMID DESCRIPTION:
THALIDOMIDE - ORAL (thal-ID-oh-mide)

COMMON THALOMID BRAND NAME(S):
Thalomid

THALOMID SIDE EFFECTS:
Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, constipation, loss of appetite, unusual weakness, If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Report promptly tingling or numbness of the hands and feet. Unlikely but report promptly a persistent sore throat, fever, slow or rapid heartbeat, or swelling of the hands/feet. Very unlikely but report promptly unusual bruising or mental/mood changes. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE THALOMID:
THALOMID: THALOMID must only be used within the S.T.E.P.S. Program (System for Thalidomide Education and Prescribing Safety) guidelines, in order to avoid any possible fetal exposure to the drug. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Before starting therapy, women of childbearing age should have a pregnancy test within 24 hours before taking the drug. The drug is generally taken by mouth at least one hour after a meal with water as directed. Use THALOMID exactly as prescribed. Do not increase your dose, use it more frequently or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed because THALOMID can be habit-forming. Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions before using THALOMID.

THALOMID WARNING:
Because even a single dose of thalidomide can cause severe birth defects or fetal death, THALOMID must never be used during pregnancy nor by women who could become pregnant while using THALOMID. Pregnancy must be ruled out 24 hours before starting therapy with thalidomide. Women must be monitored for pregnancy while using THALOMID. Patients, physicians, and pharmacists must agree to and comply with the requirements of the System for Thalidomide Education and Prescribing Safety (S.T.E.P.S.) program developed by the Food and Drug Administration in order to receive THALOMID. Patients (male or female) who use THALOMID must use reliable forms of birth control. If pregnancy does occur during treatment, contact your doctor immediately.

THALOMID USES:
THALOMID is used to treat or prevent certain skin conditions related to Hansen's disease (leprosy).

OTHER USES OF THALOMID:
THALOMID may also be used for certain conditions in cancer or HIV disease, and other diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis).

THALOMID PRECAUTIONS:
Tell your doctor your medical history, including: any allergies. Limit alcohol intake, as it may intensify drug side effects. Caution is advised when performing tasks requiring alertness (e.g., driving) as THALOMID may cause drowsiness. To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly. The following precautions are noted since THALOMID can cause birth defects or fetal death: Do not donate blood while using thalidomide. Males - Use a latex condom when having sexual intercourse with a woman during childbearing years, even if you have had a vasectomy. You must not donate sperm while using thalidomide. Effective birth control must be used for at least 1 month before beginning thalidomide treatment, during thalidomide treatment, and for 1 month after stopping thalidomide. Reliable birth control is necessary even if you have been unable to get pregnant in the past. Two effective forms of birth control must be used at the same time (unless continuous avoidance of sexual intercourse is your method). Consult your doctor. Immediately report to your doctor a missed period or abnormal vaginal (menstrual) bleeding. Thalidomide must not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Even a single dose of thalidomide taken by a pregnant woman during her pregnancy can cause severe birth defects. If pregnancy does occur during treatment, THALOMID must be discontinued immediately. It is not known if THALOMID is excreted into breast milk. Because of the potential for serious reactions in nursing infants, breast-feeding is not recommended while using thalidomide.

THALOMID DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially drugs causing drowsiness such as barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), psychiatric medicine (e.g., chlorpromazine), reserpine, narcotic pain relievers, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants and certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine). Report use of drugs which can cause nerve sensation problems (e.g., didanosine and vincristine). Also report drugs which interfere with birth control pills such as "protease inhibitors" (e.g., indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir), griseofulvin, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin and rifabutin), phenytoin, carbamazepine. Women who must use one or more of these drugs affecting birth control pills need to use two other effective forms of birth control, or abstain from sexual intercourse. Many nonprescription drugs contain antihistamines that cause drowsiness. Check all labels carefully; consult your pharmacist. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

THALOMID OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

THALOMID NOTES:
Do not share this medicine with others. Laboratory tests will be performed regularly to monitor for pregnancy (before treatment, weekly during the first month of use, then monthly thereafter) and also for drug side effects.

MISSED THALOMID DOSE:
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

THALOMID STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from sunlight and moisture.