Thalidomide

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Thalidomide

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Thalidomide – the sleeping pill

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Thalidomide was first synthesized in West Germany in 1953 by Chemie Grünenthal.

It was hailed as a "wonder drug" that provided a "safe, sound sleep".

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However the drug was also found to cure morning sickness in pregnant women

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Nausea vomiting in pregnancy NVP – 1st trimester .(1/3)

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Foetal development

The first few weeks are a key period – any problems now will accumulate in the future

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Nausea vomiting in pregnancy NVP – 1st trimester (1/3)

When do you think most women would be inclined to take this drug?

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Side effects

unfortunately molecules of the thalidomide chemical crossed the placenta and disrupt the growth patterns of the growing foetus

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Effect = catastrophic deformations of the baby– best seen as limb abnormalities.

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…if this was you – how would your life be different?

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Why did this happen?

Simple - the drug was not trialled or tested for this use on pregnant women

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Thalidomide today

Initially the drug was banned internationally for the treatment of morning sickness

But it has now been reintroduced as a treatment for leprosy

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Leprosy – bacterial infection of the skin and nerves endings

Affects the hands, feet and features of the face.

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Leprosy

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