Teratogenic effect of trimethobenzamide: An experimental study

In the experimental and clinical studies, it was reported that many pharmacological agents had teratogenic effects. There has been no sufficient explanation about the effect of trimethobenzamide, which is an antinauseant agent commonly used in Turkey. Thirty Wistar albino female rats, 3-month-old, weighing 200–250 g, were used to search the teratogenic effect of trimethobenzamide. In estrus, female rats were bred to singly housed males overnight. On the morning, the female rats with positive vaginal lavage for sperm were accepted as in the first gestational day (gd) 0. Sperm-positive females were divided into five groups, including six rats, by collecting randomly. In the first trimester (gd 6–15), in the control group (n=6), normal saline 0.5 ml was given subcutaneously; in the experimental groups, trimethobenzamide (Emedur®) was given subcutaneously, in dose of 17, 34, and 51 mg/kg/day, respectively. At death (gd 20), all live fetuses were evaluated for external, visceral, and skeletal abnormalities. No congenital abnormality was macroscopically seen. There was no developmental abnormality. However, a dose dependent developmental retardation was seen in bone and cartilage tissue, and a dose reduction in fetal body weight. The developmental retardation was prominent especially in vertebrae, and extremities.