• Question: What is thalidomide?

    Asked by xx_darudesandstorm_xx to Aaron, David, Elaine, Sarah, Zoe on 11 Nov 2014.
    • Photo: Zoe Roberts

      Zoe Roberts answered on 11 Nov 2014:

      Thalidomide is a drug that was used to stop pregnant women being sick.

    • Photo: David Foley

      David Foley answered on 11 Nov 2014:

      Thalidomide is a drug developed in the 60’s. It was designed to treat symptoms of nausea (feeling sick) and worked especially well in the treatment of “morning sickness” experienced by many pregant women. Regrettably, thaliomide was not subject to the same regulation as drugs today, and it turns out caused server developmental damage to developing babies in the womb – so called “thalidomide babies” have severly shorthened limbs.

      If thalidomide had been tested in two animal species (required today) instead of just one (required then) this toxicity would have been obvious and a disaster would have been avoided.

      Interestingly, thalidomide is now been used again – to treat leprosy and certain cancers. Of course, it cannot be given to women of child bearing age for the above reason, but it is a good drug for men and older women.

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