The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
Multiple Myeloma
- Tiredness/weakness (58%)
- Low white blood cell counts (53%)
- Low red blood cell counts (38%)
- Runny nose, sore throat, and other symptoms of a respiratory tract infection (37%)
- Nausea (36%)
- Constipation (36%)
- Trouble breathing (36%)
- Diarrhea (35%)
- Back pain (35%)
- Pneumonia (28%)
- Low platelets (26%)
- Swelling of hands and feet (25%)
Kaposi Sarcoma
- Low blood cell counts (54-96%)
- Abnormal kidney labs (86%)
- Rash (71%)
- Constipation (71%)
- Tiredness (68%)
- Higher blood sugar levels (57%)
- Abnormal liver labs (25-54%)
- Lower phosphate levels (54%)
- Lower blood calcium levels (50%)
*Please note: These side effects were reported by people who took only [[EDITOR|DRUG_DISPLAY_NAME]] in clinical trials. The frequency of side effects might be different for you if you’re taking this medication with dexamethasone. *
Less Common Side Effects
Multiple myeloma
- Fever
- Muscle and bone pain in the chest
- Less appetite
- Dizziness
- High blood calcium levels
- Nerve pain
- Muscle spasms
- Rash
- Joint stiffness
- Headache
- Itching
Kaposi Sarcoma
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Cough
- Trouble catching your breath
- Swelling of the hands and feet
- Sore throat, cough, and other symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection
- Muscle spasms
Pomalyst serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Serious liver problems: tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dark urine, right-side stomach pain, easy bruising or bleeding, or yellowing of the eyes or skin
- Blood clot in the brain: weakness or numbness in your arms, legs, or face on one side of the body, trouble speaking, blurred vision, dizziness, loss of balance, trouble walking, or confusion
- Heart attack: chest pain, sweating, nausea, or dizziness
- Blood clot in the lungs: trouble breathing, chest pain, or cough
- Blood clot in the legs: cramps, swelling, pain, or muscle tightness
- Severe skin reactions: painful blisters, skin wounds, peeling skin, painful sores in your mouth or around your eyes
- Tumor lysis syndrome: fever, chills, nausea or vomiting, confusion, trouble breathing, seizures, irregular heartbeat, dark or cloudy urine, muscle or joint pain, unusual tiredness
- Serious infections: fever, sore throat, chills, headache, body aches, cough
- Serious bleeds: bleeding that’s difficult to stop, bruises that don’t go away, dark or tarry stool
Source: DailyMed
The following Pomalyst side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Black, tarry stools
bladder pain
bleeding gums
bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
blood in the urine or stools
bloody nose
body aches or pain
burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations
chills
cloudy urine
confusion
decreased or increased urination
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty with breathing
discouragement
dizziness
ear congestion
fast or irregular heartbeat
feeling sad or empty
frequent urge to urinate
headache
incoherent speech
increased thirst
irritability
lack of appetite
loss of appetite
loss of interest or pleasure
loss of voice
lower back or side pain
metallic taste
muscle pain or cramps
muscle weakness
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
pale skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
rapid weight gain
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
stomach pain
tightness in the chest
trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
troubled breathing with exertion
ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
unsteadiness or awkwardness
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual weight gain or loss
vomiting
weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
Less common
dizziness or lightheadedness
fainting
pain, redness, or swelling in the arm or leg
troubled breathing
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
joint pain
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
unusual tiredness or weakness
weakness or heaviness of the legs
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Back pain
blurred vision
decreased appetite
difficulty with moving
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
increased hunger
increased sweating
lack or loss of strength
muscle spasms or stiffness
night sweats
rash
Incidence not known
Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
sensation of spinning
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
