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Thalidomide

Thalidomide. Thalidomide – the sleeping pill. 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". However the drug was also found to cure morning sickness in pregnant women.

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Thalidomide

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  1. Thalidomide

  2. Thalidomide – the sleeping pill

  3. 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".

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

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

  6. Foetal development - • The first few weeks are a key period – any problems now will accumulate in the future

  7. Nausea vomiting in pregnancy NVP – 1st trimester (1/3) • When do you think most women would be inclined to take this drug?

  8. Side effects • unfortunately molecules of the thalidomide chemical crossed the placenta and disrupt the growth patterns of the growing foetus

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

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

  11. The Human Cost • About 12 000 babies were born with birth defects before doctors found out that thalidomide affected developing fetuses. • The drug was then banned. • The originaltests on rats hadn’t shown up any birth defects. • Later tests on rabbits and monkeys did.

  12. Why did this happen? • Simple - the drug was not trialled or tested for this use on pregnant women

  13. When new drugs are devised, they have to be extensively tested and trialled.

  14. 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

  15. Leprosy – bacterial infection of the skin and nerves endings • Affects the hands, feet and features of the face.

  16. Leprosy

  17. Current thalidomide research • In 1965, an Israeli doctor used thalidomide as a sedative to help a leprosy patient with a painful and inflamed infection. • It was succesful. • Doctors are now researching thalidomide as a treatment for cancer because : It can treat inflammation, It slows down the growth of blood vessels.

  18. Make key notes on what we have discussed on this drug • Initial use • What it was discovered to help • Side effects of untested use • What is it now used for

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