title: [Management of a patient receiving thalidomide].
abstract: THE USE OF A DRUG WITH A TEMPORARY MARKETING AUTHORISATION: Thalidomide is currently available in France for nominative or cohort use with a temporary marketing authorisation (TMA). It is only prescribed and delivered in hospital settings. SIX OFFICIAL INDICATIONS: Its current indications are principally lepromatous nodular erythema, severe aphtosis, Jessner-Kanoff's cutaneous lymphocyte infiltration, discoid lupus erythematosis, chronic graft-versus-host reactions, and relapsed and or refractory multiple myeloma (after the failure of standard therapies). In the majority of cases, thalidomide is a last resort treatment of rare pathologies. On withdrawal, it is responsible for more or less long-term recurrences of the disease that require its re-introduction. SURVEILLANCE IS CRUCIAL: The side effects induced by thalidomide must never be forgotten, notably its teratogenic effects and its often irreversible neurotoxicity. The latter limit the long-term use of thalidomide and imply strict rules for its prescription and surveillance (efficient contraception, clinical neurological examinations, electroneurophysiological controls).
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'ingénierie et de biologie cutanées, faculté de médecine et de pharmacie, Besançon.
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brocvielle
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Muret
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Plenat
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kantelip
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Humbert
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013792:Thalidomide