You must have a pregnancy test within 24 hours before beginning treatment. Your doctor must see a written report of a negative pregnancy test before Thalomid can be prescribed. Another pregnancy test must be taken every week during the first month of taking Thalomid and during every month for the rest of the treatment, if your cycles are regular. For women with irregular cycles, pregnancy tests must be taken every 2 weeks. If you miss your period or have abnormal menstrual bleeding while taking Thalomid, contact your health professional right away.
Some medications can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills.
If you are being treated with any of these drugs, you should use two methods of birth control other than birth control pills or not have heterosexual sexual intercourse. Because Thalomid may be present in semen, you must agree in writing to use a latex condom when engaging in sexual activity with a woman of child-bearing age even if you have had a successful vasectomy. Then you will be asked to sign a form saying that you understand the risks and the actions you must take to avoid them. You will be required to submit your name and address to a national registry of patients taking Thalomid so that health professionals can track any side effects. You will be asked to complete a questionnaire for this registry.