title: Dermatologic therapeutics: thalidomide. A practical guide.
abstract: Thalidomide was first introduced in the 1950s, and its widespread use led to thousands of birth defects through the 1960s; it was quickly withdrawn from the market. A fortuitous discovery identified during treatment of patients with erythema nodosum leprosum led to the recognition of the potent anti-inflammatory effects of thalidomide and a resurgence of interest in the drug. In the ensuing decades, thalidomide has been recognized as a potential treatment option in a number of dermatologic conditions. This article reviews the history, pharmacology, mechanisms of action, and off-label uses of thalidomide and serves as a guide for dermatologists to comfortably and safely institute and monitor thalidomide to patients with cutaneous disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19119, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosenbach
authors.forename: Victoria P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Werth
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013792:Thalidomide