a drug by any other name....

[reesern1963]

So funny you should mention this. I recently got skunked by the same med on a pt who came in for a transfusion; said it was a "new chemo med."

[merleeagain]

Be EXTRA careful - - can be in all blood/body fluids up to 4 weeks post-ingestion.

Anyone not around in the 1960's might not remember all the thalidomide babies.

DO NOT HANDLE THIS MED!!!

[reesern1963]

You know, I didn't look it up right away because as I said, the pt was in for a transfusion...that's an "in and out" sort of deal. The only reason I came across it was due to having to fill out the stupid med reconciliation sheet that JCAHO has foisted on us.

[merleeagain]

Revlimid. I recently admitted a pt to home health services who is receiving this 'chemo' med. It came with multiple warnings about handling and taking it. Turns out this is thalidomide. The pt is in his 70's as is his wife, and I instructed the family that only the wife should be giving this med to the pt to minimize the chance that any of the childbearing age family members would come in contact with it. The warning label is quite explicit about all this. Anyone else seen this lately?

[Call-a-code]

Thalidomide has been used to treat multiple myeloma for many years. I know we were giving it in 1999 about the time I switched from Oncology to ICU.(no correlation there). I am not sure if I remember exactly the reason it was used for myeloma, something to do with reducing the blood supply to the affected area? It's been a while. There are strict guidelines about not letting pregnant woman take the drug. I believe I saw an article about it being very helpful in treating inflammation.