Temazepam Teratogen

[piraterach]

How does temazepam work as a teratogen? I understand that it has most affect during the 1st trimester of pregnancy but how exactly does it cause birth defects?

Thanks

[theprof]

Please forgive me if I rearrange the way you've asked the question but it might be best for you to make more sense out of my answer.

First of all, you're right to think that the danger to the foetus is greatest during the first trimester of pregnancy. There is also a lesser risk during the final trimester but you'll find that most documented cases of congenital abnormalities arise during the first trimester. Consequently, Temazepam is contra-indicated for therapeutic use in women who are or may become pregnant.

So what's the problem? Well, ingestion of proportionally therapeutic quantities of Temazepam by laboratory rats has resulted in evidence of malformation of the palate and the formation of an additional rib. The alarming part is that this rib can under certain circumstances be reabsorbed by the animal for reasons unknown. There have also been cases of the reabsorbtion of the foetus in pregnant rats and this has also been shown to occur in laboratory rabbits too. All in all, these are not nice concepts to imagine in humans.

That's the easy part over with. Now, I'll assume that what you're asking in your first sentence and the last part of the question is details of the teratogenic mechanism of action or pharmacodynamics of Temazepam in the human body.

I'm afraid that the mechanism by which this happens is extremely complex. At the very least, it involves knowledge of liver enzymes, biochemical pathways in the mammalian body as well as a knowledge of how DNA formation can be "corrupted". To be honest, I've scribbled out some brief details on an A4 sheet of paper and there is just no simple method of discussing the steps involved on AB as each step assumes that you have fully understood the previous one. To make matters worse, there a features of the mechanism that are still being questioned so it's not 100% certain in any case.

(continued)

[theprof]

Mrsprof has also had a quick look at your question - she's got extensive knowledge in this field - and she's said she wouldn't know how to begin to answer the question on AB.

Please accept my apologies.

[piraterach]

Thanks for all your help. No wonder I couldn't find any information on it if it's as complex as you say!!

Thanks again