THALIDOMIDE-ORAL (cont.)
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially of drugs causing drowsiness such as: barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), psychiatric medicine (e.g., chlorpromazine), reserpine, narcotic pain relievers, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine). Many nonprescription drugs contain antihistamines that cause drowsiness. Check all labels carefully. Consult your pharmacist. Report use of drugs which can cause nerve sensation problems (e.g., didanosine and vincristine). Also report drugs which interfere with birth control pills such as carbamazepine, griseofulvin, modafinil, penicillins, phenytoin, "protease inhibitors" (e.g., indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir), rifamycins (e.g., rifampin and rifabutin), St. John's wort. Women who must use one or more of these drugs affecting birth control pills need to use two other effective forms of birth control, or abstain from sexual intercourse. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
NOTES: Do not share this medicine with others. Laboratory tests will be performed regularly to monitor for pregnancy (before treatment, weekly during the first 4 weeks of use, then every 4 weeks thereafter) and also for drug side effects (tests such as complete blood counts-CBC).
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from sunlight and moisture. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Last Editorial Review: 3/2/2005
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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