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Thalidomide [Specialist drug]: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Thalidomide [Specialist drug] clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Thalidomide [Specialist drug]: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Thalidomide [Specialist drug] clinical drug profile including indications, dosing, side effects, cautions and interactions.
Indications and dose
**Multiple myeloma**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): Specialist drug - access specialist resources for dosing information.
Side effects
For thalidomide [Specialist drug] Common or very common Anaemia; arrhythmias; asthenia; bronchopneumopathy; confusion; constipation; decreased leucocytes; depression; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; dyspnoea; embolism and thrombosis; fever; heart failure; increased risk of infection; interstitial lung disease; malaise; movement disorders; neutropenia; peripheral neuropathy; peripheral oedema; sensation abnormal; skin reactions; thrombocytopenia; tremor; vomiting Uncommon Myocardial infarction Frequency not known Atrioventricular block; gastrointestinal disorders; gastrointestinal haemorrhage; hearing impairment; hypothyroidism; liver disorder; menstrual cycle irregularities; neoplasms; pancreatitis; pancytopenia; posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES); pulmonary hypertension; reactivation of infections; renal failure; seizure; severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs); sexual dysfunction; tumour lysis syndrome Side-effects, further information Patients aged 76 years and over-increased risk of serious side-effects. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia Reduce dose or interrupt treatment if neutropenia or thrombocytopenia develop. Peripheral neuropathy If symptoms suggestive of peripheral neuropathy develop (such as paraesthesia, abnormal coordination, or weakness) dose reduction, dose interruption, or treatment discontinuation might be necessary. Rash If rash occurs, treatment should be discontinued and only restarted following appropriate clinical evaluation.
Pregnancy
Important safety information For thalidomide [Specialist drug] Pregnancy Prevention Programme Important: teratogenic risk . Patients, prescribers, and pharmacists must comply with the manufacturer's Pregnancy Prevention Programme. Every prescription must be accompanied by a completed Prescription Authorisation Form. For females of childbearing potential, each prescription for thalidomide should be limited to a maximum supply of 4 weeks' treatment. Pregnancy testing should ideally be carried out on the same day as prescription issuing and dispensing. MHRA/CHM advice: Immunomodulatory drugs and pregnancy prevention: temporary advice for management during coronavirus (COVID-19) (May 2020) The MHRA has issued temporary guidance for female patients on thalidomide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to support adherence to the Pregnancy Prevention Programme (see Conception and contraception ), particularly for those who are shielding due to other health conditions, and should be followed until further notice. MHRA/CHM advice: Risk of arterial and venous thromboembolism (December 2014) Patients treated with thalidomide have an increased risk of arterial thromboembolism, including myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular events, in addition to the established risk of venous thromboembolism. The MHRA advises to minimise risk factors for thromboembolism (such as smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia). Healthcare professionals should consider venous and arterial thrombotic risk and administer antithrombotic prophylaxis for at least the first 5 months of treatment.
Medicinal forms
Tablet,Tablet,Capsule
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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