Pomalyst 4mg

Pomalyst 4 mg and its uses

The main active component of Pomalyst is called pomalidomide.
Pomalyst falls within a group of drugs referred to as immunomodulating agents.
Pomalyst 4 mg should be taken together with another drug known as “dexamethasone” (steroid drug) for the treatment of adults suffering from multiple myeloma (bone marrow cancer). This drug is intended for the patients whose illness has progressed after the previous therapies.
In 2015, this drug was approved by the FDA for the treatment of multiple myeloma (after the failure of at least two previous courses of treatment with lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor) and whose illness has progressed within 2 months after finishing the last treatment course.

Principle of action

Pomalidomide is an immunomodulator that has different actions. This substance impedes the distribution and stimulates the apoptosis of hematopoietic cancer cells. Moreover, this substance prevents the growth of lenalidomide-resistant multiple myeloma cell lines and interacts with dexamethasone in lenalidomide-sensitive and -resistant cell lines to stimulate apoptosis. Pomalidomide increases T-cell– and natural killer cell–mediated immunity, and impedes the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor–α.

Recommended dosage

The common dose of Pomalyst is 4 mg a day (orally) on days 1-21 of repeated 4-week treatment cycles until disease progression.

Way of use

Swallow the pills with sufficient amount of liquid once a day.
Pomalyst 4 mg can be taken irrespective of the mealtime.
Avoid breaking or chewing the pills.
Keep in mind that the medication shouldn’t contacts the skin. If this happened, you should wash the skin at once with soap and water. If the drug comes in contact with your eyes, wash them carefully with water.

Adverse effects

The most widespread adverse effects of Pomalyst include: weakness and exhaustion, leukopenia, low hemoglobin counts, blockage, sickness, loose bowels, breathing problems, upper respiratory tract infections, pain in the back and high body temperature.
Remember that the most widespread serious adverse effect of Pomalyst is low white blood cell counts. Therefore, the patients must be controlled for blood count-related adverse effects, especially leukopenia.