Dosage for Pomalyst: What You Need to Know

If you have certain types of cancer, your doctor might suggest Pomalyst as a treatment option for you.

Pomalyst is a prescription drug used to treat the following conditions in adults:

• multiple myeloma
• Kaposi sarcoma

The active ingredient in Pomalyst is pomalidomide. (This means pomalidomide is the ingredient that makes Pomalyst work.) Pomalyst comes as a capsule that you take by mouth. It belongs to a group of drugs called immunomodulators. These drugs stop cancer cells from growing and dividing.

This article describes the dosages of Pomalyst, as well as its strengths and how to take the drug. To learn more about Pomalyst, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Pomalyst’s typical dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when taking Pomalyst, always take the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

This section has information about Pomalyst’s typical dosage. But your doctor will prescribe the dosage that is right for you.

What is Pomalyst’s form?

Pomalyst comes as a capsule that you take by mouth.

What strengths does Pomalyst come in?

Pomalyst comes in four strengths: 1 milligram (mg), 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg.

What are the typical dosages of Pomalyst?

Typically, your doctor will start you on the usual dosage for your condition. Then they’ll adjust your dosage over time to reach the right amount for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for multiple myeloma

For multiple myeloma, the Pomalyst dosage is 4 mg taken once daily for the first 21 days of your 28-day treatment cycle. Then for the final 7 days of every treatment cycle, you won’t take Pomalyst. It may help to use a calendar to keep track of your dosing schedule.

You’ll repeat this 28-day cycle until your condition gets worse or you experience bothersome side effects.

You’ll typically take Pomalyst with another drug called Hemady (dexamethasone).

Dosage for Kaposi sarcoma

For Kaposi sarcoma, your dosage will be 5 mg of Pomalyst taken once daily for the first 21 days of your 28-day treatment cycle. Then for the last 7 days of your cycle, you won’t take Pomalyst.

You’ll repeat this 28-day cycle until your condition gets worse or you experience bothersome side effects.

Is Pomalyst used long term?

Yes, Pomalyst is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Pomalyst is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may adjust your dosage of Pomalyst if you have a negative reaction to the drug. For example, if your levels of certain blood cells, such as neutrophils or platelets, get too low, your treatment may be paused until your levels return to normal. When you start taking Pomalyst again, you may have a dosage reduction.

Your doctor may also adjust your dosage of Pomalyst if you start taking a medication that interacts with Pomalyst. Some drug interactions may raise your risk of side effects. Before taking any new prescription or over-the-counter medications with Pomalyst, talk with your doctor.

If you want to take Pomalyst and you have problems with your liver or kidney function, your dosage will be lower than usual. This is because liver or kidney problems may raise your risk of side effects from Pomalyst.

If your kidney function requires hemodialysis (a type of dialysis) at any point before or during your Pomalyst treatment, your Pomalyst dosage will be lower than usual. And the timing of your Pomalyst dosage will be based on your hemodialysis schedule.

To learn more about the dosage of Pomalyst that best fits your needs, talk with your doctor.

If you forget to take your dose of Pomalyst and it’s been less than 12 hours since the time you usually take it, go ahead and take your dose. If it has been more than 12 hours since the time you usually take it, skip that dose. The next day, take your dose at the regularly scheduled time.

You shouldn’t take two doses at once, as this can raise your risk of side effects from the drug.

If you have any questions about when to take your next dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Pomalyst on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

The dosage of Pomalyst you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

• the type and severity of the condition you’re taking Pomalyst to treat
• your age
• your liver and kidney function
• your body’s response to Pomalyst, such as your levels of platelets or neutrophils, a type of white blood cell*
• other drugs you’re taking
• other conditions you may have*

* To learn more, see “Dosage adjustments” under “What is Pomalyst’s dosage?” above.

You’ll take Pomalyst by mouth. It comes as a capsule that should be swallowed whole, and you can take it with or without food. You’ll typically take it at the same time each day. Because you’ll only take Pomalyst 21 out of every 28 days, be sure to set a reminder for when you should restart your dosage.

For information on Pomalyst expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

• have large print or use braille
• feature a code that you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Pomalyst in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also have some tips that can help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

Do not take more Pomalyst than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects. You may need hemodialysis (a type of dialysis) to remove the excess Pomalyst from your body.

What to do in case you take too much Pomalyst

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Pomalyst. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Pomalyst for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Pomalyst without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Pomalyst exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Would a lower dose of Pomalyst be less likely to affect my blood cells?
• If I have to stop my Pomalyst dosage temporarily, how long do I have to wait until I can restart it?
• Does my Pomalyst dosage need to change if I start taking a new medication?

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.