Thalidomide is an antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory drug marketed at the end of the ‘50s as a reliever to morning sickness in pregnant women, and it is known today for its teratogen effects as one of the biggest pharmaceutical disasters in the history (Ridings, J. - 2013). Due to the lack of research and flexible trials in that time, this drug caused several abortions and malformation to the infant, such as phocomelia – the malformation of the arms and legs. The tragedy, however, led to the growth of a more organized drug regulations and control over use and development.
Today, Thalidomide is used to treat several diseases, such as leprosy, approved by FDA for multiple myeloma, and with positive results for various others cancers, symptoms …show more content…
Ambros was convicted after the end of the war, but after his release he became a researcher for Chemie Grünenthal, a German pharmaceutical company. With successful trials in rats, Thalidomide started its clinical trials with a combination of other drugs by the tradename Grippex, combined with other drugs and labeled to treat respiratory infections. The company researchers also discovered that the drug had an inhibitory effect on morning sickness, launching in October 1957 under the name Contergan a worldwide drug for “insomnia, anxiety, gastritis and tension” (Miller, M. T. - 1991). Due to the non-restrictions of medicine during pregnancy, pregnant women from 46 countries took Contergan to relief their symptoms, and briefly after the drug success, the consequences came: In 1961, Thalidomide was taken out the markets after a massive public pressure – approximately 2000 deaths and over 10000 birth defects in Germany were caused by the teratogenic effects of the
Today, Thalidomide is used to treat several diseases, such as leprosy, approved by FDA for multiple myeloma, and with positive results for various others cancers, symptoms …show more content…
Ambros was convicted after the end of the war, but after his release he became a researcher for Chemie Grünenthal, a German pharmaceutical company. With successful trials in rats, Thalidomide started its clinical trials with a combination of other drugs by the tradename Grippex, combined with other drugs and labeled to treat respiratory infections. The company researchers also discovered that the drug had an inhibitory effect on morning sickness, launching in October 1957 under the name Contergan a worldwide drug for “insomnia, anxiety, gastritis and tension” (Miller, M. T. - 1991). Due to the non-restrictions of medicine during pregnancy, pregnant women from 46 countries took Contergan to relief their symptoms, and briefly after the drug success, the consequences came: In 1961, Thalidomide was taken out the markets after a massive public pressure – approximately 2000 deaths and over 10000 birth defects in Germany were caused by the teratogenic effects of the