Thalidomide: Study developments in most cancers and other problems

Inspite of its history, thalidomide has proved effective in dealing with some health conditions. Take into consideration the positive aspects and risks of thalidomide to assist you choose regardless of whether this drug might be proper for you.

By Mayo Clinic Employees

In the 1950s and 1960s, thalidomide was made use of to deal with morning sickness during pregnancy. But it was located to lead to disabilities in the infants born to individuals having the drug.

Now, decades later, thalidomide (Thalomid) is staying made use of to deal with a pores and skin ailment and most cancers. It can be also staying investigated as a treatment for many other diseases.

New uses and ongoing research

As research into thalidomide ongoing, doctors located that it can help regulate the body’s germ-fighting immune process and can help handle swelling. Scientific tests also showed that thalidomide slows the method the overall body uses to make new blood vessels. Cancers use this identical method to get the gas they need to have to expand and unfold.

That research led the U.S. Food stuff and Drug Administration (Fda) to approve the use of thalidomide for dealing with:

  • Pores and skin lesions triggered by leprosy (erythema nodosum leprosum)
  • Many myeloma

Thalidomide research carries on as doctors uncover new uses for the drug. Study has revealed some promise in making use of thalidomide to deal with inflammatory pores and skin problems, these kinds of as cutaneous lupus and Behcet’s sickness, Crohn’s sickness, and many kinds of most cancers.

Particular procedures demanded to reduce pregnancy

If you take thalidomide, it isn’t really secure for you or your companion to grow to be expecting. So if you and your medical professional choose that thalidomide is appropriate for you, you may need to have to take added safety measures to keep away from pregnancy.

In the United States, the Fda has particular necessities to cut down the danger of harm to infants born to individuals having thalidomide. Ahead of you can start off having the drug, you ought to go through counseling about the probable side outcomes, indication a consent sort and agree to use a number of types of contraception. You might go through periodic pregnancy screening during treatment.

If you suspect that you have grow to be expecting, prevent having thalidomide and contact your medical professional immediately.

Side outcomes other than start defects

Folks having thalidomide may well also working experience other side outcomes, these kinds of as:

  • Hurt to nerves in the fingers and toes (peripheral neuropathy) that results in suffering, tingling and numbness
  • Blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or around the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
  • Drowsiness
  • Rash
  • Dizziness

Just take your medicine specifically as recommended by your medical professional. Check with your medical professional before having any other drugs, which includes prescription drugs and drugs that are available without a prescription.

Creating a safer thalidomide

Researchers are functioning to make medicine that work like thalidomide but have less side outcomes. Medicines that are chemically very similar to thalidomide are available, which includes:

  • Lenalidomide (Revlimid)
  • Pomalidomide (Pomalyst)

Communicate to your medical professional if you have worries about thalidomide. Comprehending thalidomide’s history, its risks and its probable positive aspects can assist you choose if it’s proper for you.