Thalidomide

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Thalidomide can lead to birth defects, if it is taken during pregnancy. This photo of 1962 shows a baby whose mother had taken Thalidomide during the pregnancy. Note the extra appendage connected to the foot of the baby.

Thalidomide is a drug. It can be used as a sedative. It also has uses for other illnesses. It was mainly prescribed to pregnant women. The drug can cause birth defects in rats, primates and humans.^[1] Before the drug was released, not enough tests were done, so this was unknown. About 10,000 children were born with deformities, between 1956, and 1962. These could be directly linked to the fact that their mothers had taken the drug during their pregnancy.^[2] After this discovery, more rigorous tests were required in the United States, before a drug can be said to be safe to take during pregnancy.^[3] Other countries made similar laws. Thalidomide was not used as a drug for decades.

Researchers continued to look for ways to use the drug. They discovered, that it had good effects on certain types of skin diseases, associated with leprosy. Currently, studies are being done to see how this drug could help with cancer treatment, as well as some other, less-known diseases.

[change] References

1. ↑ Thalidomide: Drug safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
2. ↑ Bren, Linda. "Frances Oldham Kelsey: FDA Medical Reviewer Leaves Her Mark on History", FDA Consumer, US Food and Drug Administration, 2001-02-28. Retrieved on 21 September 2006.
3. ↑ Burkholz, Herbert. "Giving Thalidomide a Second Chance", FDA Consumer, US Food and Drug Administration, 1997-09-01. Retrieved on 21 September 2006.

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