Thalidomide — A Revival Story

One of the most devastating tragedies of modern medicine was set into motion by the over-the-counter marketing of thalidomide in Europe during the late 1950s for the treatment of morning sickness. The drug was withdrawn in the 1960s after the appearance of reports of teratogenicity and phocomelia associated with its use. The recent return of thalidomide stems from the broad spectrum of its pharmacologic and immunologic effects.1 Thalidomide has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of erythema nodosum leprosum, an inflammatory manifestation of leprosy,2 and potential therapeutic applications span a wide spectrum of other diseases. . . .