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Thalidomide

Thalidomide. The Phoenix Drug. History. Medicines are poisonous – indeed, up to a century ago the medicines given were more likely to kill than cure the patient! E.g. arsenic for syphilis, strychnine for a failing heart etc. History.

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Thalidomide

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  1. Thalidomide The Phoenix Drug

  2. History • Medicines are poisonous – indeed, up to a century ago the medicines given were more likely to kill than cure the patient! • E.g. arsenic for syphilis, strychnine for a failing heart etc.

  3. History • This all started to change with the discovery of sulphonamides and penicillins in the early 20th Century • Medicines could safely cure the patient – great advances began to be made in therapy.

  4. Thalidomide • Synthesised in early 1950’s by CIBA in Switzerland as a potential new medicine but they could not find any use for it. • Development discontinued in 1953.

  5. Chemie Gruenenthal • Taken up in 1954 by Chemie Gruenenthal and developed first as an anti-convulsant (ineffective!), then as an anti-histamine (ineffective!) and finally as sedative. • Found to be particularly useful to treat morning sickness.

  6. Side Effects of Thalidomide • Started to be noticed in late 1950’s but took time to associate effects with thalidomide • Manufacturers at this time were promoting the medicine as safe.

  7. Side Effects of Thalidomide • Severe limb abnormalities in children of mothers taking thalidomide • Also deafness, blindness, cleft palate, internal abnormalities

  8. Thalidomide Withdrawn! • Pioneering work by Frances Kelsey in the USA finally convinced the manufacturers and the World of the link between thalidomide and the horrific birth defects. • Thalidomide was finally withdrawn in 1961 (1962 in some countries).

  9. Thalidomide’s Legacy • 1000’s of people (now adults) with limb abnormalities (their children are OK) • Directly led to extensive safety testing of drugs before release on to market (FDA, CSM) – thalidomide never tested! • Thalidomide became a research tool – some very useful effects

  10. New research areas • Thalidomide has been shown to be of use in a variety of conditions:- it inhibits angiogenesis (development of new blood vessels) – use in cancer- it is anti-inflammatory- it stimulates the immune system – tuberculosis in AIDS patients

  11. Thalidomide rises from the ashes! • In 1998 thalidomide was licensed for treatment of one form of leprosy- ENL (Erythema Nodosum Laprosum)- amazingly effective and successful- WHO showed 99% of patients improved significantly- hailed as a wonder drug (again!)

  12. Thalidomide rises from the ashes!

  13. However!

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