List of thalidomide side effects

Adverse effects by frequency:

Note that teratogenicity is not discussed here as it is not considered a side effect. For information regarding birth defects, see thalidomide.

Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)

 * Somnolence (drowsiness; ~40%)
 * Edema (~60%)
 * Hypotension (low blood pressure)
 * Headache
 * Haematuria (blood in the urine)
 * Arthralgia (joint pain)
 * Myalgia (muscle aches)
 * Increased bilirubin
 * Neutropenia (~30%)
 * Leucopenia (~15-40%)
 * Lymphopenia
 * Constipation
 * Peripheral neuropathy†
 * Dizziness
 * Paraesthesia
 * Dysaesthesia

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

 * Pulmonary embolism
 * Vomiting
 * Dry mouth
 * Toxic skin eruption
 * Dry skin
 * Rash
 * Urticaria (hives)
 * Pyrexia (fever)
 * Asthenia
 * Interstitial lung disease
 * Heart failure
 * Depression
 * Pneumonia

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

 * Shortness of breath
 * Tremor

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

 * Increased appetite
 * Bradycardia (low heart rate)
 * Tachycardia (high heart rate)
 * Cardiac arrhythmia
 * Malaise
 * Deep vein thrombosis

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

 * Thrombocytopenia
 * Anaemia
 * Hypothyroidism
 * Reduced libido
 * Confusion
 * Seizures
 * Orthostatic hypotension
 * Thromboembolic events
 * Bronchospasm
 * Intestinal obstruction
 * Pruritus (itchiness)
 * Stevens–Johnson syndrome
 * Toxic epidermal necrolysis
 * Facial oedema
 * Photosensitivity (light sensitivity)
 * Menstruation abnormalities

† Peripheral neuropathy may be irreversible and usually results from chronic (usually a matter of months) exposure to thalidomide.