Thalidomide Alcohol Interaction

Thalidomide Alcohol

Thalidomide is the generic name given to a family of drugs that affect the immune system and helps promote immune responses to prevent inflammation in the body. It is used to treat and and prevent the debilitating and disfiguring skin sores caused by erythema nodosum leprosum which is an inflammatory complication of leprosy.

It is also used with another drug called dexamethasone to treat multiple myeloma which is bone marrow cancer.

It is suggested moderate drinking while using this drug as the drug’s effectiveness may be decreased and the side effects may be increased.

At this time the medical community defines moderate consumption of alcohol as no more than two drinks per day and no more than 14 drinks per week. If anything more than that it is considered an unhealthy dependency on alcohol that may have adverse social, family and health consequences.

If a person drinks only once or twice a week but drinks on the same days each week and more than two drinks this is considered as an alcohol dependency.

If a person binge drinks at any time during the week this is also considered as alcoholism.

Some consider alcoholism as a disease while others consider it an addiction which is the result of personal choice and character fault. This school of thought blames the alcoholism on life style choices.

Personally I consider alcoholism a genetic tendency as I have seen families of alcoholics even when they live far apart. These unfortunate people are probably dependent on alcohol from the first drink.

When alcohol interacts with prescription over the counter drugs it usually results in negative health effects most especially liver damage as the main organ affected.

Before using this drug advise your doctor if you are allergic to any other drug or substance, if you are using dietary or herbal supplements, are pregnant, plan to be or are breastfeeding, have a history of kidney or liver disease, heart disease, history of stroke or blood clots, HIV, AIDS, epilepsy, seizures, weak immune system, nerve problems such as numbness or tingling in hands or feet.

Side Effects

Less serious side effects are constipation, drowsy, sleepy, anxiety, confusion, tremors, shaking, bone pain, muscle weakness, insomnia, nausea loss of appetite.If these occur call your physician for advice.

Serious side effects are severe allergic reactions such as hives difficult breathing, tight chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips or tongue, chest pain, short of breath, coughing up blood, pain or swelling in the arm, thigh or calf, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, easy bruising or bleeding, slow heartbeats, shallow breathing, feeling faint, red blistering peeling skin rash, numb, burning pain or tingling or seizures. If these occur get emergency medical help.

This site serves as an information source only and does not dispense medical advice or any other kind of advice. If you are seeking medical advice you are advised to consult your own physician.

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