Trade Name(s): Pomalyst
Ther. Class: Antineoplastics
Pharm. Class: Immunomodulatory agents
Pomalidomide is prescribed for the treatment of multiple myeloma in patients who have received at least 2 prior therapies including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor and have progressed on or within 60 days of completion of the previous treatment (with prednisone).
Because this drug may cause harm to unborn babies when administered during pregnancy, women taking pomalidomide should avoid becoming pregnant.
This drug should be used cautiously in women of reproductive potential and men with female partners of the reproductive potential. The breast-feeding is also contraindicated.
While on the treatment with pomalidomide, blood should not be donated. Male patients should avoid donating their sperm while taking pomalidomide and for 1 month after the therapy.
Pomalidomide 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg and 4 mg is administered with water on an empty stomach, without regard to food. Capsules should be gulped whole; do not chew, open or break.
Cigarette smoking should be avoided as it may decrease the blood levels as well as effectiveness. CBC should be monitored with differential, platelet count, hemoglobin and hematocrit weekly for the first 8 weeks of the therapy and at least monthly thereafter.
Instruct patients in order to notify their health care provider if chest pain, shortness of breath, or arm or leg swelling occur.
The pomalidomide 4 mg price in India is quite reasonable. This drug can be purchased by incurring around ₹13554. Although, the price may vary from innovator brand to generic version. The respective prescribers and wholesalers or pharmacies must be certified.