[Thalidomide: Drug of horror and last resort. A review. Part 1: Origin, molecular structure and first pattern of use.].

Thalidomide was originally a hypnotic, sedative and anxiolytic drug that was first used in 1955. It was considered to have little toxicity and have smooth activity. Thalidomide was in fact poorly studied both in animals and for therapeutic purposes. It was nevertheless agressively advertised, and inter alia for use in pregnancy, and accordingly it was a much used drug. During the year 1961 it became evident that intake of thalidomide in therapeutic doses could result in severe peripheral neuritis and, when taken early in pregnancy, in horrendous damage to the fetus. Thalidomide was thus shortly afterwards generally removed from the market and its use prohibited. Nevertheless, interest rose a few years later to use thalidomide on other indications than before. This is the topic of Part 2 of this review as well as discussion of studies pertinent to the mechanisms of action of thalidomide.