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An Unusual Adverse Drug Reaction to Thalidomide: A Case Report
Akshay Sankar Peethambaran1, Neel Prabha1, Prateek Pujar1
1Department of Dermatology, AIIMS Raipur, Chhattisgarh, 492099, India.
Current Drug Safety
|July 10, 2025
Summary
Thalidomide, a drug with antitumor properties, can cause rare adverse reactions like burning sensations and breathlessness. Clinicians should be aware of these uncommon side effects in patients undergoing treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Thalidomide exhibits antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties, making it a novel antitumor agent.
- Despite past safety concerns, thalidomide is now approved for erythema nodosum leprosum under strict guidelines.
- Common adverse effects include neuropathy, teratogenicity, fatigue, and gastrointestinal issues.
Observation:
- A 46-year-old female with lepromatous leprosy on multidrug therapy experienced unusual symptoms.
- The patient presented with a generalized burning sensation, breathlessness, and low backache.
- These reactions occurred after the initiation of thalidomide treatment.
Findings:
- The case highlights an uncommonly reported adverse reaction to thalidomide.
- Symptoms included generalized burning sensation, dyspnea, and low back pain.
- These symptoms were not previously documented as side effects in existing literature.
Implications:
- Alerts clinicians to consider these unusual adverse reactions to thalidomide.
- Emphasizes the importance of monitoring patients for atypical side effects.
- Contributes to a comprehensive understanding of thalidomide's safety profile in leprosy treatment.
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