Final answer:
Thalidomide, used for treating multiple myeloma, has a significant side effect of increased risk of blood clots, alongside its beneficial anti-inflammatory and angiogenesis inhibition properties (4).
Step-by-step explanation:
An important side effect of thalidomide, a drug used to treat multiple myeloma, is an increased risk of blood clots. Thalidomide has anti-inflammatory effects and inhibits angiogenesis, which is beneficial for its anticancer properties. However, it also leads to side effects in systems with high cell turnover, as is typical with many chemotherapeutic agents. Due to its teratogenic effects, thalidomide was infamously associated with causing congenital disabilities when first marketed as a sedative. Nowadays, its use is strictly controlled, and it is approved for treating certain conditions such as multiple myeloma, but the risk of blood clots remains a significant concern for patients on thalidomide therapy.
One important side effect of thalidomide, a drug used to treat multiple myeloma, is increased risk of blood clots. Thalidomide works by inhibiting angiogenesis (development of blood vessels) in tumors, but this same mechanism can lead to blood clot formation. It is crucial for patients taking thalidomide to be closely monitored for signs of blood clots and receive appropriate preventive measures.