POMALYST® (pomalidomide) homepage

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POMALYST is a prescription medicine, taken along with the medicine dexamethasone, used to treat adults with multiple myeloma who have previously received at least 2 medicines to treat multiple myeloma, including a proteasome inhibitor and lenalidomide, and whose disease has become worse during treatment or within 60 days of finishing the last treatment. It is not known if POMALYST is safe and effective in children.

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Some common side effects

These are not all the possible side effects of POMALYST. Your healthcare provider may adjust your dose or have you temporarily or permanently stop taking POMALYST if you develop certain serious side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Below are some of the most common side effects of POMALYST.

Low white blood cells are common with POMALYST, but can also be serious. You may need a blood transfusion or certain medicines if your blood counts drop too low. Your blood counts should be checked weekly for the first 8 weeks of treatment, and monthly after that.

Low red blood cells (anemia) are common with POMALYST, but can also be serious. You may need a blood transfusion or certain medicines if your blood counts drop too low. Your blood counts should be checked weekly for the first 8 weeks of treatment and monthly after that.

Fatigue is a common side effect of treatment with POMALYST with dexamethasone. Sometimes people describe fatigue as feeling tired, weak, exhausted, heavy, or slow. Fatigue can affect people physically, mentally, and emotionally.

If you feel tired, tell your doctor or nurse. You should always talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects you may experience.

You may want to ask your doctor:

  • Would exercise help me feel less tired?
  • Would a change in diet help?
  • If I am already taking a medicine that makes me feel tired, will POMALYST® (pomalidomide) make me more tired?

Some tips for tiredness and weakness:

  • Rest when you are feeling tired.

Treatment with POMALYST and dexamethasone can cause upper respiratory tract infections or bronchitis. People with bronchitis often cough up discolored, thick mucus.

If you have an upper respiratory tract infection, tell your doctor or nurse. You should always talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects you may experience.

You may want to ask your doctor:

  • What are some ways to help soothe my throat?
  • Are there medicines that may help?

Low platelets are common with POMALYST, but can also be serious. You may need a blood transfusion or certain medicines if your blood counts drop too low. Your blood counts should be checked weekly for the first 8 weeks of treatment and monthly after that.

Treatment with POMALYST with dexamethasone can cause a fever. A fever is a body temperature that is higher than normal, which is 98.6° F for an adult.

If you have a fever, tell your doctor or nurse. He or she will want to know about any side effects you have.

You may want to ask your doctor:

  • Are there any dietary restrictions I should follow?
  • Are there medicines that may help?

Some tips for fever:

  • Drink fluids like water, broth, or juice.

These are just some tips for fever. You should always talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects you may experience.

Treatment with POMALYST and dexamethasone can cause shortness of breath. If you experience a shortness of breath, you are not able to get enough air into your lungs.

If you have shortness of breath, tell your doctor or nurse. You should always talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects you may experience.

You may want to ask your doctor:

  • Are there activities I should avoid?
  • Are there breathing exercises I can try?

Treatment with POMALYST with dexamethasone can cause diarrhea. Diarrhea happens when your stools become watery and you go to the bathroom much more often than usual. Your doctor needs to know if you have diarrhea. Diarrhea can cause weight loss, fluid loss (dehydration), poor appetite, and weakness.

Diarrhea may cause complications such as:

  • Dizziness
  • Fever
  • Sore or bleeding rectal area

If you have any of these complications or if you have diarrhea and cramps for more than a day, call your doctor or nurse right away.

If you have diarrhea, tell your doctor or nurse. He or she will want to know about any side effects you have.

You may want to ask your doctor:

  • How much liquid should I drink each day?
  • Are there certain foods I should eat?
  • Is there a medicine I can take to help with the diarrhea?

Some tips for diarrhea:

  • Drink clear liquids like water or broth
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

These are just some tips for diarrhea. You should always talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects you may experience.

Treatment with POMALYST and dexamethasone can cause constipation. When you have constipation, you do not have as many bowel movements as you normally do. You may also feel bloated and uncomfortable and have hard, painful bowel movements.

If you have constipation, tell your doctor or nurse. He or she will want to know about any side effects you may have.

You may want to ask your doctor:

  • Should I drink more water or liquids?
  • Should I keep track of my bowel movements?
  • Are there any medicines that may help?

Some tips for constipation:

  • Work with your doctor to see if an exercise plan is appropriate.

These are just some tips for constipation. You should always talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects you may experience.

Treatment with POMALYST with dexamethasone can cause back pain. Symptoms of back pain may include muscle aches, pain that shoots down the leg, and pain that worsens with walking.

If you have back pain, tell your doctor or nurse. You should always talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects you may experience.

You may want to ask your doctor:

  • Can an ice pack or hot water bottle help?
  • Are there medicines that may help?

Treatment with POMALYST with dexamethasone can cause nausea. Nausea is an uneasy or unsettled feeling in the stomach. It often occurs at the same time with the urge to vomit, but doesn’t always lead to vomiting. Some other ways people describe nausea are “feeling sick to my stomach,” “queasy,” or “upset stomach.”

If you have nausea, tell your doctor or nurse. He or she will want to know about any side effects you may have.

You may want to ask your doctor:

  • Are there foods I should avoid when I have nausea?
  • Are there medicines that may help?

Some tips for nausea:

  • Drink clear liquids. Make sure they’re cold and sipped slowly.

These are just some tips for nausea. You should always talk to your doctor or nurse about any side effects you may experience.

Talking with your doctor about POMALYST.

Your doctor or nurse is there to help you throughout your treatment, and they can answer any questions about side effects that may happen. Use our Conversation Starter to see what you may want to ask them.

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Hypothetical POMALYST® (pomalidomide) patient with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and their healthcare team
Hypothetical POMALYST® (pomalidomide) patient with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and their healthcare team

Questions? Browse our
Frequently Asked Questions
page for answers.

Learn more

Questions? Browse our
Frequently Asked Questions
page for answers.

Learn more

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