Thalidomide Polyneuropathy

Abstract

THALIDOMIDE (alpha-[N-phthalimido]-glutarimide)‡ is a hypnotic frequently prescribed in Europe.¹ Investigations in this country are being conducted to evaluate its activity as a daytime sedative and for the treatment of insomnia.^{2 , 3} Advantages over the commercially available hypnotics are its nontoxicity in animal studies and the low incidence of side effects in the earlier foreign reports. Ayd⁴ suggests that its nonlethality may make it the hypnotic of choice for potentially suicidal, depressed patients.I have been able to confirm the very satisfactory sleep regulation with thalidomide.⁵ The case reported below had been a diagnostic problem for months until a recent letter to . . .