Contergan

A well known example of tragic consequences is provided by "Thalidomide" (or "Contergan") which was commercialised in the 60 s whereas the (/ )-enantiomer shows a weak sedative activity, the enantiomer of (5)-configuration, administered together in the racemate, caused in the expectant mothers a teratogenic effect (malformations) on the foetus. 

There are many conspicuous examples of different actions by enantiomeric isomers of the molecules of various drugs. Suffice it to mention thalidomide, which was known as Contergan in Europe and with which many tragedies were connected before it was withdrawn from the market. Since 1992, the United States Food and Drug Administration and the European Committee for Proprietary Medicinal Products have required manufacturers to research and characterize each enantiomorph of a potential drug. ... 

Anethaine, Pontocaine Collyrium, Murine,Tyzine.Visine Contergan, Synovir... 

Pregnancy (A). Limb malformations induced by the hypnotic thalidomide (Contergan) first focused attention on the potential of drugs to cause malformations (teratogenicity). Drug effects on the unborn fall into two basic categories ... 

In any case however, antipodal helices cause countercurrent spectra of the optical rotation, so that the observation of just a single Cotton effect is sufficient to discriminate the antipodes and, in case, enantiomeric solutes. For such an experiment the choice of the infrared spectral range is no longer dictated by the structure period but by the presence of suitable transition moments. The low demand for the chiral solute to be characterized (Korte, 1978) is exemplified by Fig. 4.6-14. In the 20 im wide sample cell an area of 3 mm times 3 mm was filled with approximately 200 pg solution containing circa 0.2 pg of either S-(-) or R-(-i-) Thalidomide (Contergan) in a nematic solvent. In the spectral interval shown, at least three oppositely shaped ACE are found, the pronounced one around 836 cm is related to the 7 (C- H), phenyl-H out-of-plane vibration of the... 

Broser F. [Polyneuritis and funicular myelosis after Contergan use.) Med Khn 1962 57 53-7. 

Frenkel H. [Contergan—side effects. Central nervous system manifestations and polyneuritic symptoms in longterm medication with Al-phthalyl glutamic acid imide.) Med Welt 1961 18 970-5. 

Voss R. Nil nocere Contergan-Polyneuritis. [Nil nocere. Contergan polyneuritis.) Miinch Med Wochenschr 1961 103 1431-2. 

Schiefer I. [On clinical experiences with Contergan in tuberculous children.) Med Welt 1960 52-53 2765-8. 

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