Thalidomide
Synonyms
1H-Isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione, 2-(2,6-dioxo-3-piperidinyl)-
Celgene Brand of Thalidomide
Sedoval
Thalomid
A piperidinyl isoindole originally introduced as a non-barbiturate hypnotic, but withdrawn from the market due to teratogenic effects. It has been reintroduced and used for a number of immunological and inflammatory disorders. Thalidomide displays immunosuppressive and anti-angiogenic activity. It inhibits release of TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA from monocytes, and modulates other cytokine action.