Thalidomide interactions

Food & lifestyle

• alcohol

  Moderate

  Synergy

  Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

  What to do: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

  4 sources

  1. Warrington SJ, Ankier SI, Turner P "Evaluation of possible interactions between ethanol and trazodone or amitriptyline." Neuropsychobiology 15 (1986): 31-7
  2. Gilman AG, eds., Nies AS, Rall TW, Taylor P "Goodman and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics." New York, NY: Pergamon Press Inc. (1990):
  3. "Product Information. Fycompa (perampanel)." Eisai Inc (2012):
  4. "Product Information. Rexulti (brexpiprazole)." Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals Inc (2015):

Conditions

Conditions in which Thalidomide needs care, as documented in this source.

• HIV Infections

  Moderate

  In two separate studies involving HIV-seropositive patients, the use of thalidomide was associated with an increase in plasma viral RNA levels. The clinical significance of this finding is unknown. Both studies were published prior to the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy, or HAART. Until more information is available, the interim recommendation is to measure the viral load after the first and third months of thalidomide treatment and every 3 months thereafter (or as often as indicated by the patient's antiretroviral regimen and clinical status).

  1 source

  1. "Product Information. Thalomid (thalidomide)." Celgene Corporation (2001):

• Hypotension

  Moderate

  The use of thalidomide has been associated with dizziness and orthostatic hypotension. Therapy with thalidomide should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting hypotension. Rising slowly from a recumbent position is recommended.

  1 source

  1. "Product Information. Thalomid (thalidomide)." Celgene Corporation (2001):

• Neutropenia

  Moderate

  The use of thalidomide has been associated with decreased white blood cells counts, including neutropenia. Therapy with thalidomide should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting neutropenia. Treatment should not be initiated if absolute neutrophil count is below 750/mm3. Monitoring white blood cell count and differential routinely is recommended during treatment.

  1 source

  1. "Product Information. Thalomid (thalidomide)." Celgene Corporation (2001):

• Peripheral Nervous System Diseases

  Moderate

  The use of thalidomide has been associated with the development of peripheral neuropathy, which is sometimes irreversible. Therapy with thalidomide should be administered cautiously in patients with preexisting neuropathy and only after the neuropathy has returned to baseline. Patients should be monitored routinely for early signs of neuropathy including numbness, tingling, pain, or a burning sensation in the hands or feet. If symptoms of drug-induced neuropathy develop, thalidomide should be discontinued immediately.

  1 source

  1. "Product Information. Thalomid (thalidomide)." Celgene Corporation (2001):

• Seizures

  Moderate

  Seizures, including grand mal convulsions, have been reported during post-approval use of thalidomide in clinical practice. Because these events are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, estimates of frequency cannot be made. Most patients had disorders that may have predisposed them to seizure activity, and it is not currently known whether thalidomide has any epileptogenic influence. During therapy with thalidomide, patients with a history of seizures or with other risk factors for the development of seizures should be monitored closely for clinical changes that could precipitate acute seizure activity.

  1 source

  1. "Product Information. Thalomid (thalidomide)." Celgene Corporation (2001):