Thalidomide was first licensed in July 1956, intended as sedative, treats many conditions. Initially it was considered safe for pregnant women. Caused significant developmental issues in babies. 1961: withdrawn after a major scandal. Thalidomide was greatly affected drug testing and approval.
Birth defects if taken during pregnancy
- Can also be transmitted by semen.
- Defects include amelia, phocomelia, facial palsy.
- absense of bones, and heart defects.
- Thromboembolism in combination with other drugs.
- Temporary or permanent nerve damage.
Side effects similar to other tranquilizers
- Neurological: Somnolence, fatigue, weakness, mood alteration.
- Neurological: mild tremors, ataxia, anxiety and confusion.
- Gastrologic complications: constipation to toxic megacolon.
- Cardiovascular: hypertension, bradycardia, and peripheral edema.
- Hematologic: neutropenia, hypochromic anemia, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia.
- Used to treat leprosy and cancer.
Hypotheses for the mechanism for teratogenicity
- Anti-angiogenesis and oxidative stress models.
- Hypotheses for immunomodularity and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Modulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha.
- Suppression of macrophage involvement of prostaglandin synthesis.
References
Ghobrial, I. M., & Rajkumar, S. V. (2003). Management of thalidomide toxicity. The Journal of Supportive Oncology, 1(3), 194-205.
Ito, T., & Handa, H. (2012). Deciphering the mystery of thalidomide teratogenicity. Congenital Anomalies, 52(1), 1-7.
National Center for Biotechnology Information (2021). PubChem Annotation Record for THALIDOMIDE.
Science Museum (2019). Thalidomide.