Thalidomide Could Guide Use of Drugs That Risk Birth Defects

[ttweed@wildrockies.org (Tony Tweedale)]

Thalidomide is a potent hormone mimic...
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          "Thalidomide Could Guide Use of Drugs That Risk Birth Defects."
          USA Today, 22 July 98, 7D.
               Experts say that the monitoring program for thalidomide,
               which was recently approved to treat leprosy, might serve as
               a model for ensuring the safety of other drugs that cause
               birth defects.  The FDA also requires the manufacturers of
               the drugs Rebetron and Accutane to monitor their use in
               women of childbearing age.  Rebetron is a second-line
               treatment for chronic hepatitis C; Accutane is an acne drug.