What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking pomalidomide?
You should not use pomalidomide if you are allergic to it, or if you are pregnant.
Pomalidomide can cause severe, life-threatening birth defects or death of a baby if the mother or father is taking this medicine at the time of conception or during pregnancy. Even one dose of pomalidomide can cause major defects of the baby's arms and legs, bones, ears, eyes, face, and heart. Never use pomalidomide if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if your period is late while taking pomalidomide.
For women (if you have not had a hysterectomy): Do not use pomalidomide if you are pregnant. Use two forms of birth control beginning 4 weeks before you start taking pomalidomide and ending 4 weeks after your last dose. Even women with fertility problems are required to use birth control while taking pomalidomide. You must also have a negative pregnancy test at 10 to 14 days before treatment and again at 24 hours before. While you are taking pomalidomide, you will have a pregnancy test every 2 to 4 weeks.
The birth control method must be proven highly effective (birth control pills, intrauterine device, tubal ligation, sex partner's vasectomy). The extra form must be a barrier method such as a latex condom, a diaphragm, or a cervical cap.
Stop using pomalidomide and call your doctor at once if you quit using birth control, if your period is late, or if you think you might be pregnant. Not having sexual intercourse (abstinence) is the most effective method of preventing pregnancy.
For men: If a man fathers a baby while using pomalidomide, the baby may have birth defects. Use a condom to prevent pregnancy while taking pomalidomide, and for up to 4 weeks after your last dose. You must agree in writing to always use latex condoms when having sex with a woman who is able to get pregnant, even if you have had a vasectomy. Contact your doctor if you have had unprotected sex, even once, or if your sex partner may be pregnant.
This medicine may affect fertility (ability to have children) if you are a woman. However, it is important to use birth control to prevent pregnancy because pomalidomide can harm an unborn baby.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of pomalidomide on the baby.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- liver disease (especially hepatitis B);
- kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
- risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, menopause, smoking, a family history of coronary artery disease, being overweight, or being older than 40 and a man);
- if you also use pembrolizumab (Keytruda); or
- if you smoke (smoking may make pomalidomide less effective and may increase your risk of a stroke or blood clot while taking this medicine).
Pomalidomide may cause other types of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma. Ask your doctor about this risk.
You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.