Today we will talk a bit about the thalidomide drug.
It was first introduced to the market in 1957 by a pharmaceutical company in West Germany with its molecular formula C13H10N2O4. The new drug was sold in 46 countries under at least 37 brand names. At that time it was a very well-known drug recommended for patients suffering from epilepsy. Many doctors also prescribed it as an effective sedative and sleeping drug for pregnant women to ease their morning sickness.
The thalidomide molecule has one chiral carbon and therefore the whole molecule is also chiral. It is the racemic mixture of the (+)(R)-thalidomide and (-)(S)-thalidomide enantiomers.
Image 2. shows the thalidomide enantiomers.
It was later found out that R-thalidomide was sleep inducing while S-thalidomide was teratogenic and was the one responsible for many catastrophic side-effects, such as birth defection or deterioration of limb nerves.
However, there is still a lot more about the thalidomide that we will explore soon.
Until next time,
yours MPN
Reference
Ashley Yip (2011) Thalidomide http://jeanbont.pbworks.com/f/thalidomide%20enantiomers.gif last visited 20.11.2011
Prof Derek Cheung (2007) Thalidomide: A Controversial Chiral Drug. Quality Education Fund, Hong Kong
Thalidomide is known to be a powerful teratogenic drug, which causes serious abnormal embryo or fetal development. Even one dose of thalidomide during pregnancy can cause major thalidomide birth defects.
ReplyDeletethalidomide side effects
Thanks for additional information and the website link.
ReplyDelete