THALIDOMIDE Meaning and
Definition
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Thalidomide is a substance that was introduced in the late 1950s as a sedative and anti-nausea medication. However, its usage was abruptly halted due to severe and devastating birth defects it caused in babies whose mothers had taken the drug during pregnancy.
Thalidomide belongs to a class of drugs known as immunomodulatory agents, primarily used in the treatment of various cancers and immune disorders such as leprosy. Its mechanism of action involves the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha production, as well as modification of cell adhesion molecules and angiogenic factors, affecting immune responses and vascular processes.
This notorious drug gained infamy for its teratogenic effects, which led to the emergence of babies born with malformed limbs and various organ defects. The extent of the damage was particularly noted in the limbs, causing shortened or absent arms and legs. Consequently, thalidomide was withdrawn from the market in the early 1960s and stringent regulations were put in place to ensure the safety of medication use during pregnancy.
Despite its tragic history, thalidomide has also found valuable applications in medical research, demonstrating efficacy in the treatment of multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. Strict protocols and preventive measures are enforced to prevent exposure to thalidomide during pregnancy, highlighting the significance of comprehensive drug safety testing and monitoring systems.
Common Misspellings for THALIDOMIDE
Etymology of THALIDOMIDE
The word "thalidomide" has its etymology rooted in Germany. It comes from the German words "Thalidomid" or "Thalidomidum", which were derived from the systematic chemical name "α-(N-phthalimido)glutarimide". The German pharmaceutical company Chemie Grünenthal created this name to accompany their newly developed drug in the late 1950s. The word "Thalidomid" was a combination of "Thal" from the chemical name, referencing the German word "thalweg" meaning a channel, and "id" as a suffix common in chemical compound names of that era. Overall, the word "thalidomide" was a product of the company's naming conventions for their medication.
Similar spelling word for THALIDOMIDE
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