[dianaiad]

Meaning of chronically slightly high bilirubin level?

by dianaiad on Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:12 pm

I have just been told that because my bilirubin is high (it's been 'high' all during this journey, but nobody has been worried about it so far, or mentioned it, and it's not all that high), and because my ANC is still only 1.46, (it was 0.86 at the end of the last Pomalyst cycle), that I would have an extra week off, which makes three weeks 'off.'

Does anybody here know what a slightly, and chronically, high bilirubin level means, and why it would affect taking Pomalyst? All my other liver function tests are fine.

[Jonah]

Re: Meaning of chronically slightly high bilirubin level?

by Jonah on Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:42 pm

Your doctors are probably just being cautious because the label for Pomalyst includes a liver toxicity warning. Here's the relevant text:

'Hepatic failure, including fatal cases, has occurred in patients treated with Pomalyst. Elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase and bilirubin have also been observed in patients treated with Pomalyst. Monitor liver function tests monthly. Stop Pomalyst upon elevation of liver enzymes and evaluate. After return to baseline values, treatment at a lower dose may be considered. "

This link will take you to the full U.S. prescribing information for Pomalyst:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/204026s017lbl.pdf

Good luck!