list of thalidomide side effects 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.