Availability & Expiry
INTRODUCTION
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE contains Pomalidomide which belongs to the group of medicines called Immunomodulating agents. It is used in adults to treat multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells). It is generally used in combination with other anti-cancer agents (such as dexamethasone and/or bortezomib) to achieve better results.
Before taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE inform your doctor if you have any liver, kidney or heart problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, blood clots or hepatitis B infection or have a habit of smoking as a precaution.
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use in women who are pregnant, think that they might be pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It should be used in breastfeeding women only if considered necessary by the physician.
Both men and women undergoing therapy with POMALID 4MG CAPSULE must use a suitable contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy prior to, during and until 4 weeks after stopping the therapy. Patients taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE must not donate their blood during treatment and for 7 days after the end of treatment
The most common side effects of taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE are increased infections, low RBC and platelet count, nausea, vomiting, swelling of body parts, numbness or tingling of body parts, skin rashes, oral sores, taste changes and weight loss. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect troubles you.
USES OF POMALID 4MG CAPSULE
- Treats multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells) in adults
HOW POMALID 4MG CAPSULE WORKS
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE 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.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Take POMALID 4MG CAPSULE as advised by your doctor. Swallow the medicines with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. It can be taken with or without food.
Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and health condition. Do not stop taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE unless your doctor tells you to stop.
SIDE EFFECTS OF POMALID 4MG CAPSULE
COMMON
- 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
UNCOMMON
- tumour lysis syndrome (toxin accumulation in blood due to breakdown of cancer cells)
- decreased thyroid functions
RARE
Stop taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE and contact your physician immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:
- signs of infections (such as fever, chills, sore throat, cough, mouth ulcers or any other signs of infection)
- increased bleeding or bruising, nasal bleeds, bleeding in the gut
- signs of sepsis (such as fever, chills, low urine output, nausea and vomiting, confusion, rapid breathing)
- severe persistent bloody diarrhea
- signs of blood clot (such as chest pain, shortness of breath, leg pain and swelling, heart failure)
- 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)
- skin cancer, changes in skin colour
- 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)
- 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)
- signs of posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (a nerve disorder causing bnormal 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)
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Skin rash:
Avoid hot showers because hot water can irritate your skin further. Do not scratch the affected area. Use protective clothing when going outdoors. Regularly moisturize your skin. Consult your doctor if your skin rash worsens.
Dizziness:
Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling dizzy. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.
Nausea and Vomiting:
Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oil rich or spicy foods. If your nausea worsens, consult your doctor for advice.
Mouth ulcers:
Avoid eating spicy foods. Drink plenty of water. Apply a pain-relieving gel on the affected areas of the mouth if required. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS
PREGNANCY
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE may harm the unborn baby. Therefore, it should not be used in pregnant women and in women who are planning to become pregnant or think that they might be pregnant. Women of childbearing potential must use a suitable contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy prior to the therapy, during the therapy and until 4 weeks after stopping therapy with POMALID 4MG CAPSULE. If you accidentally became pregnant while undergoing therapy with POMALID 4MG CAPSULE, stop taking this medicine and inform your doctor immediately.
BREASTFEEDING
It is not known whether POMALID 4MG CAPSULE passes through breast milk or not. Therefore, it should be used in breastfeeding women only if considered necessary by the physician.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel dizzy, tired or faint after taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE.
KIDNEY
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it
LIVER
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
ALLERGY
Do not take POMALID 4MG CAPSULE if you are allergic to pomalidomide, lenalidomide or thalidomide.
HEART DISEASE
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE should be used with caution in patients with heart failure or a recent heart attack. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
OTHERS
Before taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE, inform your doctor if you:
- have ever had blood clots in the past
- have a habit of smoking
- have high blood cholesterol levels
- have high blood pressure
- have breathing difficulties
- have excessive tumours in your body (including tumours of bone marrow)
- have or ever had nerve damage or nerve pain
- have or ever had hepatitis B infection
Use in paediatrics:
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE is not suitable for use in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Use in geriatrics:
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years or above). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
INTERACTIONS
A. Drug-Drug interactions:
Before taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:
- ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infections)
- ciprofloxacin, enoxacin (medicines used for bacterial infections)
- fluvoxamine (used to treat depression)
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally took more POMALID 4MG CAPSULE, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.
SYNOPSIS
| Drug | : | Pomalidomide |
| Pharmacological Category | : | Immunomodulating agents |
| Therapeutic Indication | : | Multiple myeloma |
| Dosage Forms | : | Capsule |
MORE INFORMATION
- Keep POMALID 4MG CAPSULE out of the sight and reach of children
- Store POMALID 4MG CAPSULE at room temperature
FAQs ABOUT POMALID 4MG CAPSULE
What POMALID 4MG CAPSULE is used for?
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE is used in adults to treat multiple myeloma (cancer of plasma cells). It is generally used in combination with other anti-cancer agents (such as dexamethasone and/or bortezomib) to achieve better results.
How POMALID 4MG CAPSULE works on my body?
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE 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.
Can POMALID 4MG CAPSULE cure cancer?
Multiple myeloma generally cannot be cured. However, treatment with POMALID 4MG CAPSULE can reduce the signs and symptoms of the disease or make them disappear for a short period. For more information, consult your doctor for advice.
Can the use of POMALID 4MG CAPSULE cause weight loss?
Weight loss is one of the common side effects of taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE. If it bothers you, consult your doctor for advice.
Can the use of POMALID 4MG CAPSULE cause mouth ulcers?
Mouth ulcers are one of the common side effects of taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE. Avoid eating spicy foods. Drink plenty of water. Apply a pain-relieving gel on the affected areas of the mouth if required. Consult your doctor if the symptom did not improve
Can POMALID 4MG CAPSULE be used in children?
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE should not be used in children aged below 18 years. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.
Is POMALID 4MG CAPSULE a chemo drug?
Yes. POMALID 4MG CAPSULE contains a medicine called pomalidomide which is an immunomodulating agent with anti-cancer properties. It stimulates the immune system to stop the growth of abnormal plasma cells (a type of white blood cells) in the blood.
What precautions must be followed while taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE?
Before taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE inform your doctor if you have any liver, kidney or heart problems. Inform your doctor before taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE if you are a pregnant or a breastfeeding woman. Men and women taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE must use a suitable contraceptive method to avoid pregnancy while undergoing therapy with POMALID 4MG CAPSULE.
What happens if I stop taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE?
No. Do not stop taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE without consulting your doctor as it may make your symptoms reappear. Therefore, take POMALID 4MG CAPSULE as advised by your doctor for the stipulated duration.
Can POMALID 4MG CAPSULE be used during pregnancy?
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE is generally not recommended for use in pregnant women. If you accidentally became pregnant while taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE, inform your doctor immediately.
Can the use of POMALID 4MG CAPSULE make me feel tired?
Yes. POMALID 4MG CAPSULE may make you feel tired easily. This is because, it reduces the levels of red blood cells in your blood and may make you anaemic. Consult your doctor if you experience tiredness after taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE. Tiredness can also occur if you have any pre-existing disease conditions such as liver or kidney impairment while taking this medicine.
Can I drive a car after taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE?
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE may make you feel tired or dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines if your ability is affected by POMALID 4MG CAPSULE.
How to take POMALID 4MG CAPSULE?
Take POMALID 4MG CAPSULE as advised by your doctor. Swallow the medicines with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. It can be taken with or without food.
How to control nausea caused due to POMALID 4MG CAPSULE?
Generally, anticancer medicines are associated with uncontrollable nausea and vomiting. To avoid this, your doctor would prescribe a suitable medicine to control them along with POMALID 4MG CAPSULE. If not, consult your doctor for a suitable anti-emetic medicine. Do not self-treat nausea.
What are the side effects of taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE?
The most common side effects of taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE are increased infections, low RBC and platelet count, nausea, vomiting, swelling of body parts, numbness or tingling of body parts, skin rashes, oral sores, taste changes and weight loss. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect troubles you.
Who should avoid taking POMALID 4MG CAPSULE?
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE is not recommended for use if you are allergic to pomalidomide. It is also not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women and in children (aged below 18 years).
Is POMALID 4MG CAPSULE safe to use in kidney disease?
POMALID 4MG CAPSULE should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems. Your doctor will access your health condition and suggest a suitable dose for you.
Can the use of POMALID 4MG CAPSULE affect the liver?
Yes. POMALID 4MG CAPSULE may affect the way your liver work. It can elevate the levels of certain liver enzymes in your body. Therefore, it should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Consult your doctor before taking it.
REFERENCES
1. Ashkan Emadi, Judith E. Karp. Multiple myeloma as a paradigm for multi-targeted intervention. Cancer pharmacology an illustrated manual of anticancer drugs. First edition. 2020. Page -205.
2. A A Chanan-Khan, A Swaika, A Paulus, S K Kumar, J R Mikhael, S V Rajkumar, A Dispenzieri, and M Q Lacy. Pomalidomide: the new immunomodulatory agent for the treatment of multiple myeloma. National Institute of Health. NLM. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Pubmed.gov. September 2013. [Accessed on 3rd December 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3789204/
3. Celgene Distribution B.V. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in February 2022] [Accessed on 3rd December 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.3465.pdf
USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
- Albumin/Globulin Ratio, Serum
- Calcium
- Complete Blood Count
- Kidney Function Test
PRODUCT DETAILS
ALTERNATE BRANDS
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