Visit Website for Healthcare Professionals

POMALYST® (pomalidomide) homepage

See other indications for POMALYST:

Kaposi sarcoma (KS)

This site is intended for US audiences only.

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.

The REMS Companion App

Easily access the POMALYST REMS® program.

Download now

Providing care when
multiple myeloma comes back

A multiple myeloma relapse brings new obstacles.
And not just for the patient.

Hypothetical caregiver and a POMALYST® (pomalidomide) patient with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma smiling
Hypothetical caregiver and a POMALYST® (pomalidomide) patient with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma smiling
SUPPORT AND TIPS FOR CAREGIVERS

By supporting a friend or family member receiving POMALYST, you may play an important part in their treatment journey—for all the moments that matter.

DOWNLOAD OUR CAREGIVER BROCHURE
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR CAREGIVERS

There is no “one way” to be a caregiver, but these tips may help guide
you as you navigate the challenges and opportunities.
Be patient with your loved one.

Multiple myeloma may be stressful for patients, and they may not know how to talk about it. When he or she is ready to talk, let your loved one set the tone and topic of the conversation. One of the best ways to support them during this time is to stay positive, be there to listen, and keep an open mind.
Others want to help—let them.

It’s important to know that you are not alone in this journey. There are things others can do to help. When asking others for help, first ask if they would like to share in some of the caregiving tasks. Then, clearly explain the task needed, what would be most helpful to you, and what’s most helpful to your loved one.
Be there when you’re needed.

Completing tasks and taking care of oneself can provide a sense of dignity and independence, something your loved one may want to keep for as long as possible. Don’t assume that you need to take over right away. Pay attention to how they are feeling; you may need to step in more when they are feeling poorly.

Caring for yourself is important, too.

TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF

It’s easy to become focused on your loved one’s
needs and forget about your own.

Make time to focus on yourself and activities you enjoy.

Share your feelings with a friend, a multiple myeloma support group, or a professional counselor.

Be kind to yourself. Know that it’s natural to have a wide range of feelings during this process.

Monitor your own health, particularly if you have your own medical issues.

Be sure to visit your doctor for routine checkups.

Keep an eye on stress and take time to exercise, even if it’s just going for walks.

Understand your employer’s policies regarding paid and unpaid leave.

Don’t put too much on your plate—be honest with yourself about how much you can really do.

Conversation Starter

Our Conversation Starter may also help you with talking to your loved one with multiple myeloma so that you can be better prepared for their next doctor’s visit.

DOWNLOAD

Helpful Educational Resources

Find useful tools and resources to help you out when learning about POMALYST.

LEARN MORE

Find organizations that offer information and support.

VIEW ORGANIZATIONS

Find organizations that offer information and support.

VIEW ORGANIZATIONS

This website is best viewed
using the horizontal display
on your tablet device.

This website is best viewed
using the vertical display
on your mobile device.

Indication and Important Safety Information

What is POMALYST® (pomalidomide)?

POMALYST is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with:

  • Multiple myeloma, taken along with the medicine dexamethasone, in patients 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.
  • AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma (KS) when highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has not worked well enough or stopped working (failed), or KS who do not have HIV infection (HIV negative). This approval for POMALYST was based on response rate. There is ongoing evaluation of clinical benefit of POMALYST for this use.

It is not known if POMALYST is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

POMALYST is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with:

  • Multiple myeloma, taken along with the medicine dexamethasone, in patients 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.

WARNINGS: Risk to unborn babies, 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. For more information, call 1-888-423-5436 or go to www.pomalystrems.com. Before prescribing POMALYST, your healthcare provider (HCP) will explain the POMALYST REMS program to you and have you sign the Patient-Physician Agreement Form.

Before you begin taking POMALYST, you must read and agree to all of the instructions in the POMALYST REMS® program. For more information, call 1-888-423-5436 or go to www.pomalystrems.com. 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 the REMS Call Center at 1-888-423-5436. Healthcare providers and patients should report all cases of pregnancy to:
      • FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088
      • REMS Call Center 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 the REMS Call Center at the phone number listed above.
    • 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 the REMS Call Center at 1-888-423-5436. Healthcare providers and patients should report all cases of pregnancy to:
      • FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088
      • REMS Call Center 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 the REMS Call Center 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 in people with multiple myeloma include tiredness and weakness, constipation, nausea, diarrhea, shortness of breath, upper respiratory tract infection, back pain, and fever.
  • The most common side effects of POMALYST in people with Kaposi sarcoma include tiredness, diarrhea, abnormal kidney function tests, decreased phosphate and calcium in the blood, rash, nausea, constipation, increased blood sugar, and decreased albumin in the blood.
  • The most common side effects of POMALYST in people with multiple myeloma include tiredness and 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.

Bristol Myers Squibb™ homepage
Bristol Myers Squibb™ homepage

Multiple Myeloma Treatments from Bristol Myers Squibb

REVLIMID® (lenalidomide) homepage POMALYST® (pomalidomide) homepage EMPLICITI® (elotuzumab) homepage

Please read Medication Guide and full Prescribing Information
for REVLIMID and POMALYST including Boxed WARNINGS. Please read Patient
Information and full Prescribing Information for EMPLICITI.

POMALYST®, POMALYST REMS®, and associated logos are trademarks of Celgene Corporation, a Bristol Myers Squibb Company. Access Support® is a registered trademark of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

© 2023 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.    
2204-US-2300255       08/23

POMALYST®, its associated logo, POMALYST REMS®, and IMiD® are registered trademarks of Celgene Corporation, a Bristol Myers Squibb company. EMPLICITI®, the related logo, and Access Support® are registered trademarks of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.

© 2023 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company.   
2204-US-2300247       08/23
2204-US-2200408       06/23

2204-US-2300060       02/23