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Indication Prescribing Information

This site is intended for US audiences only.

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  • About POMALYST

POMALYST® (pomalidomide) is a prescription medicine, taken along with the medicine dexamethasone, used to treat people 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.

How POMALYST works

How POMALYST® (pomalidomide) Works

POMALYST gives you multiple ways to fight multiple myeloma.

POMALYST has immune-modulating qualities similar to REVLIMID® (lenalidomide). However, POMALYST with dexamethasone is proven to continue the fight if multiple myeloma stops responding to REVLIMID and a proteasome inhibitor.

Taken in combination with dexamethasone, POMALYST
was shown to work in 3 ways in animal models and in vitro*:

Stimulate - how POMALYST® (pomalidomide) works
STIMULATE

Helps enhance the function of certain cells used by the immune system to fight myeloma.

Strike - how POMALYST® (pomalidomide) works
STRIKE

Targets and kills myeloma cells, even those resistant to REVLIMID. 

Starve - how POMALYST® (pomalidomide) works
STARVE

Helps reduce new myeloma cell growth by limiting blood supply.

*In vitro: in a test tube or glass; outside of a living organism.
Talk to your doctor about why POMALYST® (pomalidomide) may be right for you or your loved one
WHY POMALYST?

If multiple myeloma stops responding to REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) and a proteasome inhibitor (PI), POMALYST with dexamethasone may help:

  • POMALYST with dexamethasone is proven to continue the fight after REVLIMID and a PI
  • POMALYST has immune-modulating qualities similar to REVLIMID
  • POMALYST is a once-daily* capsule, not an injection or infusion

†Taken on days 1-21 out of a 28-day cycle or as directed by your doctor.

A clinical trial proved POMALYST with dexamethasone was effective in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

Based on results of a clinical trial, the FDA has approved
the use of POMALYST with low-dose dexamethasone.

A clinical trial studied 455 patients whose multiple myeloma had stopped responding to at least 2 prior medicines, including REVLIMID (lenalidomide) and a PI. A total of 302 patients received POMALYST with low-dose dexamethasone, and 153 patients received high-dose dexamethasone alone.

Median overall survival was

1.5

TIMES
LONGER

The phase 3 clinical trial was designed to determine if POMALYST with low-dose dexamethasone could be an effective treatment for relapsed multiple myeloma.

 

MEDIAN OVERALL SURVIVAL (OS) RESULTS

Median Overall Survival (OS): Think of median as the middle value of a set of data points. Overall survival measures the amount of time patients were alive following the start of the trial.

Median Overall Survival Results with POMALYST® (pomalidomide) plus low-dose vs high dose dexamethasone

Study findings: Median OS for patients taking POMALYST with low-dose dexamethasone was 12.4 months. This is roughly 1.5 times longer than the 8 months that patients lived when they were given high-dose dexamethasone alone.

Median progression-free survival was

2

TIMES
LONGER
MEDIAN PROGRESSION-FREE SURVIVAL (PFS) RESULTS

Median Progression-Free Survival (PFS): Progression-free survival (PFS) measures how long a patient lives without the disease getting worse. The main goal of the study was to measure median PFS.

Median Progression-Free Survival Results with POMALYST® (pomalidomide) plus low-dose vs high dose dexamethasone

Study findings: Median PFS for patients taking POMALYST with low-dose dexamethasone was 3.6 months. This was 2 times longer than the 1.8 months that patients lived without their disease getting worse when they were given high-dose dexamethasone alone.

 

POMALYST may not work for everyone. Ask your doctor if POMALYST with dexamethasone is right for you. Individual results may vary.

 

Safety findings: Common side effects of POMALYST (≥30%) include low white blood cells, low red blood cells, tiredness and weakness, upper respiratory tract infection, low platelets, fever, shortness of breath, diarrhea, constipation, back pain, and nausea.

COMBINATION THERAPIES

POMALYST is used in several FDA-approved therapy combinations to treat relapsed multiple myeloma.

Your doctor may discuss these other treatment options with you and the associated risks and benefits. Please see the Combinations page to learn more about relapsed multiple myeloma treatment options.

REFERENCE: Pomalidomide [package insert]. Summit, NJ: Celgene Corp; 2018.

POMALYST may not work for everyone. Ask your doctor if POMALYST with dexamethasone is right for you. Individual results may vary.

Before taking POMALYST, you need to join the POMALYST REMS® program.

LEARN MORE

Get a comprehensive
guide to POMALYST with
the Treatment Overview
Brochure.

DOWNLOAD

POMALYST is a once-daily capsule.‡ See how to take it.

‡POMALYST is taken once a day on days 1-21 of a 28-day cycle.

VIEW DOSING

What is POMALYST® (pomalidomide)?

POMALYST® (pomalidomide) is a prescription medicine, taken along with the medicine dexamethasone, used to treat people 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.

WARNING: Risk to unborn babies, risk of low blood counts and blood clots
What is the most important information I should know about POMALYST?

Before you begin taking POMALYST, you must read and agree to all of the instructions in the POMALYST REMS® program. Before prescribing POMALYST, your healthcare provider (HCP) will explain the POMALYST REMS program to you and have you sign the Patient-Physician Agreement Form.

POMALYST can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Possible birth defects (deformed babies) or death of an unborn baby. Females who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant must not take POMALYST.
    • POMALYST is similar to the medicine thalidomide (THALOMID®), which is known to cause severe life-threatening birth defects. POMALYST has not been tested in pregnant females. POMALYST has harmed unborn animals in animal testing.
    • Females must not get pregnant:
      • For at least 4 weeks before starting POMALYST
      • While taking POMALYST
      • During any breaks (interruptions) in your treatment with POMALYST
      • For at least 4 weeks after stopping POMALYST
    • Females who can become pregnant:
      • Will have pregnancy tests weekly for 4 weeks, then every 4 weeks if your menstrual cycle is regular, or every 2 weeks if your menstrual cycle is irregular. If you miss your period or have unusual bleeding, you will need to have a pregnancy test and receive counseling.
      • Must agree to use 2 acceptable forms of effective birth control at the same time, for at least 4 weeks before, while taking, during any breaks (interruptions) in treatment, and for at least 4 weeks after stopping POMALYST.
      • Talk with your healthcare provider to find out about options for acceptable forms of birth control that you may use to prevent pregnancy during and after treatment with POMALYST.

    • If you become pregnant while taking POMALYST, stop taking it right away and call your healthcare provider. If your healthcare provider is not available, you can call Celgene Customer Care Center at 1-888-423-5436. Healthcare providers and patients should report all cases of pregnancy to:

      • FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088
      • Celgene Corporation at 1-888-423-5436

      There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors the outcomes of females who take POMALYST during pregnancy, or if their male partner takes POMALYST and they are exposed during pregnancy. You can enroll in this registry by calling Celgene Corporation at the phone number listed above.

    • POMALYST can pass into human semen:

      • Males, including those who have had a vasectomy, must always use a latex or synthetic condom during any sexual contact with a pregnant female or a female that can become pregnant while taking POMALYST, during any breaks (interruptions) in your treatment with POMALYST, and for 4 weeks after stopping POMALYST.
      • Do not have unprotected sexual contact with a female who is or could become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider if you do have unprotected sexual contact with a female who is or could become pregnant.
      • Do not donate sperm while taking POMALYST, during any breaks (interruptions) in your treatment, and for 4 weeks after stopping POMALYST. If a female becomes pregnant with your sperm, the baby may be exposed to POMALYST and may be born with birth defects.

      Men, if your female partner becomes pregnant, you should call your healthcare provider right away.

    • Do not donate blood while you take POMALYST, during any breaks (interruptions) in your treatment, and for 4 weeks after stopping POMALYST. If someone who is pregnant gets your donated blood, her baby may be exposed to POMALYST and may be born with birth defects.

  • Blood clots in your arteries, veins, and lungs, heart attack, and stroke can happen if you take POMALYST.

    • Most people who take POMALYST will also take a blood thinner medicine to help prevent blood clots.
    • Before taking POMALYST, tell your healthcare provider:
      • If you have had a blood clot in the past.
      • If you have high blood pressure, smoke, or if you have been told you have a high level of fat in your blood (hyperlipidemia).
      • About all the medicines you take. Certain other medicines can also increase your risk for blood clots.

Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get any of the following during treatment with POMALYST:

    • Signs or symptoms of a blood clot in the lung, arm, or leg may include: shortness of breath, chest pain, or arm or leg swelling.

    • Signs or symptoms of a heart attack may include: chest pain that may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach area (abdomen); feeling sweaty, shortness of breath, feeling sick, or vomiting.

    • Signs or symptoms of stroke may include: sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, severe headache or confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or balance.

    • A red, itchy skin rash
    • Peeling of your skin or blisters
    • Severe itching
    • Fever

 

Get emergency medical help right away if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms during treatment with POMALYST:

  • swelling of your lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • trouble breathing or swallowing
  • raised red areas on your skin (hives)
  • a very fast heartbeat
  • You feel dizzy or faint
Who should not take POMALYST?

Do not take POMALYST if you:

  • Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or become pregnant during treatment with POMALYST. See “What is the most important information I should know about POMALYST?”
  • Are allergic to pomalidomide or any of the ingredients in POMALYST.
What should I tell my healthcare provider (HCP) before taking POMALYST?
  • If you smoke cigarettes (POMALYST may not work as well in people who smoke), have any other medical conditions, or are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed during treatment with POMALYST—it is not known if POMALYST passes into breast milk and can harm the baby.
  • If you have liver problems
  • If you have kidney problems and are receiving hemodialysis treatment
  • Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. POMALYST and other medicines may affect each other, causing serious side effects. Talk with your HCP before taking any new medicines.
How should I take POMALYST?

Take POMALYST exactly as prescribed and follow all the instructions of the POMALYST REMS program.

  • Swallow POMALYST capsules whole with water 1 time a day. Do not break, chew, or open capsules.
  • Take POMALYST at the same time each day with or without food.
  • If you are on hemodialysis, take POMALYST after hemodialysis on hemodialysis days.
  • Do not open POMALYST capsules or handle them any more than needed. If you touch a broken POMALYST capsule or the medicine in the capsule, wash the area of your body right away with soap and water.
  • If you miss a dose of POMALYST and it has been less than 12 hours since your regular time, take POMALYST as soon as you remember. If it has been more than 12 hours, just skip your missed dose. Do not take 2 doses at the same time.
  • If you take too much POMALYST, call your healthcare provider (HCP) right away.
  • Do not share POMALYST with other people. It may cause birth defects and other serious problems.
What are the possible side effects of POMALYST?
  • See “What is the most important information I should know about POMALYST?”
  • POMALYST can cause serious side effects, including:
    • Low white blood cells (neutropenia), low platelets (thrombocytopenia), and 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 by your healthcare provider (HCP) weekly for the first 8 weeks of treatment and monthly after that.
    • Severe liver problems, including liver failure and death. Your HCP should do blood tests to check your liver function during your treatment with POMALYST. Tell your HCP right away if you develop any of the following symptoms: yellowing of your skin or the white parts of your eyes (jaundice); dark or brown (tea-colored) urine; pain on the upper right side of your stomach area (abdomen); bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, or feeling very tired.
    • Severe allergic and severe skin reactions can happen with POMALYST and may cause death.
    • Dizziness and confusion. Avoid taking other medicines that may cause dizziness and confusion during treatment with POMALYST. Avoid situations that require you to be alert until you know how POMALYST affects you.
    • Nerve damage. Stop taking POMALYST and call your HCP if you develop numbness, tingling, pain, or a burning sensation in your hands, legs, or feet.
    • New cancers (malignancies). New cancers, including certain blood cancers (acute myelogenous leukemia or AML) have been seen in people who received POMALYST. Talk with your HCP about your risk.
    • Tumor Lysis Syndrome (TLS). TLS is caused by the fast breakdown of cancer cells. TLS can cause kidney failure and the need for dialysis treatment, abnormal heart rhythm, seizure, and sometimes death. Your HCP may do blood tests to check you for TLS.
  • The most common side effects of POMALYST include tiredness, weakness, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath, upper respiratory tract infection, back pain, and fever.
  • These are not all the possible side effects of POMALYST. Your HCP may tell you to stop taking POMALYST if you develop certain serious side effects during treatment. Call your HCP for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Please see full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS and Medication Guide.

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