Thalidomide
Thalidomide, sold here as Thalix capsules in 50mg and 100mg strengths, is an immune-modifying medicine used for multiple myeloma and the leprosy skin reaction ENL.
Thalidomide has a narrow set of uses today: cancer care, and one stubborn complication of leprosy. This shop stocks it in the oncology section as Thalix capsules.
What thalidomide is used for
Two conditions account for nearly all of it. The first is multiple myeloma, a cancer that grows in the plasma cells of the bone marrow; thalidomide is given there in combination with melphalan and prednisone, a three-drug regimen for people with untreated myeloma who are 65 or older or who cannot have high-dose chemotherapy. The second is erythema nodosum leprosum, or ENL — a painful reaction in the skin and nerves that can flare during treatment for leprosy. In ENL the aim is to settle the inflammation, then step the dose down as the reaction quietens.
How it works
Thalidomide acts on the immune system and on blood vessel growth. It lowers production of TNF-alpha, a signalling protein that keeps inflammation going, and it interferes with angiogenesis, the process by which a tumour grows the new blood vessels it needs. The first action fits ENL, the second fits myeloma.
Taking the capsules
One capsule a day, swallowed whole with water. In myeloma the capsules are taken in six-week cycles alongside the other two medicines. Thalix comes in 50mg and 100mg, so a day's dose is built from whole capsules rather than split ones. If you forget one, take it later the same day instead of taking two the next day.
Side effects and what to watch for
Sleepiness and dizziness are what most people notice, and they often ease as the body adjusts. Dry skin, a rash, headache, constipation and swollen ankles and feet also turn up. Two effects matter more. Numbness, tingling or burning in the hands and feet — peripheral neuropathy — can appear as treatment goes on, and it does not always settle once the capsules are stopped. The other is blood clotting in the leg veins or lungs; swelling or pain in one leg, sudden breathlessness or chest pain needs urgent treatment. Thalidomide also causes severe birth defects, and even a single dose during pregnancy can harm a developing baby.
Thalix capsules here
Thalix is the thalidomide sold in this shop, in 50mg and 100mg capsules.
Sources
- Thalidomide: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- Thalidomide BMS 50 mg Hard Capsules - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) | 6317 — UK Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC)
Where can I order Thalidomide for delivery in Hong Kong?
Thalidomide can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. It is stocked here as Thalix in 50mg and 100mg capsules. Payment is taken on a secure, encrypted page, using a card, Bitcoin or Ethereum.
How much do Thalidomide products cost in Hong Kong?
Thalix is priced per pack: its page lists every strength and pack size with the current price in HKD or your chosen currency.
Does Thalidomide interact with other medicines?
Sedatives and steroids are the medicines noted as interacting with thalidomide. Thalix capsules in 50mg and 100mg are sold here.
Is thalidomide a chemotherapy drug?
It is used in cancer treatment, but it is not a classic chemotherapy drug; it is classed as an immunomodulatory medicine, which means it works on immune signals rather than killing cells directly. In myeloma it is given alongside melphalan and prednisone.
Can I drink alcohol with thalidomide?
Alcohol deepens the drowsiness and dizziness thalidomide causes and can leave you unsteady on your feet. One drink may be enough to notice it, so keeping drinks light while a course is running is the sensible habit.
Does thalidomide cause nerve damage?
It can. Numbness, tingling or burning in the hands and feet is the side effect that matters most, and the longer a course runs, the greater the chance of it. For some people the feeling in their feet never quite returns to normal.
When should I take thalidomide?
Bedtime suits most people, because the capsules are sedating and the sleepiness then falls in with sleep. The dose is usually taken at least an hour after the evening meal, as a single dose for the whole day.