REDISCOVERING THALIDOMIDE - A REVIEW OF ITS MECHANISM OF ACTION, SIDE-EFFECTS, AND POTENTIAL USES

Thalidomide, a hypnosedative drug introduced in the 1950s, has been us ed in a variety of dermatologic conditions during the past few decades . Although originally withdrawn from the world market on discovery of its teratogenic effect, it has since been selectively reintroduced for use in various disorders thought to have an autoimmune or inflammator y basis. A review of the literature focused on clinical uses of thalid omide in the treatment of dermatologic diseases was performed. Disease s for which thalidomide has been found effective include erythema nodo sum leprosum, prurigo nodularis, actinic prurigo, discoid lupus erythe matosus, aphthous stomatitis, Behcet's syndrome, and graft-versus-host disease. Side effects such as teratogenicity and peripheral neuropath y remain its limiting factor. Thalidomide is a useful addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for treatment-resistant dermatoses as long a s proper vigilance for adverse effects is maintained.