Thalidomide

Thalidomide is a drug which was sold during the 1950s and 1960s as a sleeping aid and to pregnant women as an antiemetic to combat morning sickness and other symptoms. It was synthesized in West Germany in 1953 and marketed by the Stolberg-near-Aachen-based pharmaceutical company Grünenthal from October 1, 1957 to 1961, mainly in Germany and Britain. It was available in around fifty countries, although not in the United States, under at least forty names (such as Talimol, Kevadon, Nibrol, Sedimide, Quietoplex, Contergan, Neurosedyn, etc.).

Related Topics:
1950s - 1960s - Antiemetic - Morning sickness - West Germany - 1953 - Aachen - October 1 - 1957 - 1961 - Britain - United States - Neurosedyn

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It was later (1960–61) found to be teratogenic in fetal development, most visibly as a cause of amelia or phocomelia as the drug is an angiogenesis inhibitor — interfering with blood vessel development, especially if taken during the first 25 to 50 days of pregnancy. Around 15,000 fetuses were damaged by thalidomide, of whom about 12,000 in 46 countries were born with birth defects, with only 8,000 of them surviving past the first year of life. Most of these survivors are still alive, nearly all with disabilities caused by the drug. In 2003, a World Health Organization newsletter cited evidence that the disabilities and deformities in many thalidomide survivors may be passed on to the survivor's own children through DNA, but many discount this as scientifically unfounded. Those deformed by thalidomide are sometimes referred to (or self-described) as thalidomiders or the derogatory abbreviation "Flids".

Related Topics:
Teratogenic - Fetal - Amelia - Phocomelia - Pregnancy - World Health Organization

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Thalidomide was banned for its initial intended use as sedative. However, in an interesting twist of fate, it has been found to be effective for other indications such as for leprosy and multiple myeloma. It is now marketed by Celgene as Thalomid.

Related Topics:
Leprosy - Multiple myeloma - Celgene

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