Thalidomide
Thalidomide (alpha-(N-phthalimido)glutarimide) is a synthetic glutamic acid derivative which was manufactured by the German pharmaceutical company Chemie Grunenthal in the 1950sCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title. The drug has sedative and antiemetic properties, making it a popular for combatting morning sickness in pregnant women. However, thalidomide was withdrawn from the market in early 1961, after clinicians William McBrideCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title and Widukind Lenz[1] independently reported a link between the drug and birth defects. Thalidomide is a potent teratogen, causing dysmelia in humansCite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name cannot be a simple integer. Use a descriptive title.
The deformities in the children were caused by the mixture of the L-form and D-form of the thalidomide molecule. The L-form was safe and worked effectively as a drug, but the D-form was harmful and caused the deformities. Due to modern technology, scientists have been able to isolate and distribute the safe form of thalidomide, and it is now prescribed as a form of cancer treatment.
References
- ↑ Lenz, W., Pfeiffer, R.A., Kosenow, W. and Hayman, D.J. (1962) ‘THALIDOMIDE AND CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES’, The Lancet, 279(7219), pp. 45–46. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(62)92665-x.