Does anyone still take thalidomide and if so, for what purpose?

Question

Does anyone still take thalidomide and if so, for what purpose?

Answer 1

Yes, thalidomide is still used as an effective treatment for leprosy.  Thalidomide also inhibits the formation of blood vessels and is therefore used in treatment of some forms of cancer.  It has antiemetic and antinflammatory properties.  

Needless to say, it is no longer used in the treatment of morning sickness.  There is a strong warning that it is not to be taken nor the pills handled by women who may become pregnant.

Answer 2

It's used in the treatment of bone cancer.

Answer 3

thalidomide is still used. However, it is still a big no-no for pregnant women. In the past thalidomide was manufactured in racemic form, and it was the useless enantiomer that caused fetal deformations. Now thalidomide is produced in optically pure form, so there should be no problem but it is known to racemize in the body.

Answer 4

Thalidomide has been banned worlwide since the 60s.

Answer 5

Yes but supposedly under caution but no doubt certain unscrupulous doctors would be able to get hold of it, especially say for sedation purposes..

Answer 6

Eugh, that's the drug that caused foetal abnormalities in unborn babies, right?  Well I know it used to be used to treat morning sickness in pregnant women but was taken off the market because it affected limb formation...

Extra from google:

It is used to treat myeloma (a cancer of the plasma cell of the blood). Research is now looking to see whether it might be effective as a treatment for some other cancers.

Answer 7

Thalidomide is still widely used world wide, it remains a very powerful inhibitor to a number of degenerating conditions.

In the UK it is a licensed drug, which means it can only be used by a small group of highly expert Doctors.

They are even allowed to give it to pregnant patients if it is at an appropriate point in the pregnancy.