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Thalidomide brought on changes in the way drugs are tested, what type of drugs are used during pregnancy, and increased the awareness of potential side effects of drugs. According to Canadian news magazine programme W5, most, but not all, victims of thalidomide receive annual benefits as compensation from the Government of Canada. Excluded are ...
Common side effects include sleepiness, rash, and dizziness. [6] Severe side effects include tumor lysis syndrome, blood clots, and peripheral neuropathy. [8] Thalidomide is a known human teratogen and carries an extremely high risk of severe, life-threatening birth defects if administered or taken during pregnancy. [6]
Adverse effects by frequency: [1] [2] Note that teratogenicity is not discussed here as it is not considered a side effect. For information regarding birth defects, see thalidomide .
Severe side effects include low blood platelets, low white blood cells, and blood clots. [8] The dose may need to be adjusted in people with kidney problems. [8] Lenalidomide is closely related to thalidomide, which is known to cause severe birth defects, so its use during pregnancy is very likely to harm the fetus. [8]
Thalidomide was a racemic therapeutic and prescribed to pregnant women to control nausea and vomiting. The drug was withdrawn from world market when it became evident that the use in pregnancy causes phocomelia (clinical conditions where babies are born with deformed hand and limbs).
The problems with thalidomide included teratogenic side effects, high incidence of other adverse reactions, poor solubility in water and poor absorption from the intestines. In 1998 thalidomide was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) under strict regulations. [2]
Phocomelia is a congenital condition that involves malformations of human arms and legs which result in a flipper-like appendage. [1] [2] A prominent cause of phocomelia is the mother being prescribed the use of the drug thalidomide during pregnancy; however, the causes of most cases are to be determined.
Their effects can be desired (hormonal contraception), a minor unwanted side effect (many antidepressants) or; a major public health problem (thalidomide). However, most studies of reproductive toxicity have focused on occupational or environmental exposure to chemicals and their effects on reproduction.