thalidomide

[ thuh-lid-uh-mahyd ]

noun

1. a crystalline, slightly water-soluble solid, C 13 H 10 N 2 O 4 , formerly used as a sedative: if taken during pregnancy, it may cause severe abnormalities in the limbs of the fetus.

thalidomide

/ θəˈlɪdəˌmaɪd /

noun

1. 1. a synthetic drug formerly used as a sedative and hypnotic but withdrawn from the market when found to cause abnormalities in developing fetuses. Formula: C 13 H 10 N 2 O 4
   2. ( as modifier )

      a thalidomide baby

thalidomide

/ thə-lĭd′ə-mīd′ /

1. A drug used to treat leprosy. It was previously prescribed to treat nausea during early pregnancy, but was found to cause severe birth defects, including stunting or absence of the limbs. Chemical formula: C 13 H 10 N 2 O 4 .

thalidomide

1. A sedative drug that was developed and used in Europe in the 1960s. Thalidomide was taken off the market when it became evident that it caused severe birth defects in babies born to women who had used the drug during pregnancy.

Notes

References to thalidomide are often made when illustrating the dangers of using drugs whose side effects are not well known.

Word History and Origins

Origin of thalidomide¹

1955–60; (ph)thal(im)ido(glutari)mide, equivalent to phthalimide ( phthal(ic) + imide ) + -o- + glutarimide ( glut(en) + (tart)ar(ic) + imide )

Word History and Origins

Origin of thalidomide¹

C20: from thallic + -id- (from imide ) + imide

Example Sentences

There is no evidence Plath ever took thalidomide, a drug developed in 1954 prescribed to treat several symptoms including nausea and anxiety in pregnant women.

From No Straight News

“Thalidomide” then graphically evokes the imagery of a lynching.

From No Straight News

Although it was not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, thalidomide was given to Americans in trials.

From Washington Post

It stems in part from the tragedy that followed the prescribing of a sedative, thalidomide, to treat morning sickness in pregnant women in countries around the world during the 1950s.

From Washington Post

Among the key problems with thalidomide was the way it was manufactured.

From Quartz

He came to Strasbourg, France, to witness the free speech argument in Harry Evans's landmark thalidomide case.

From The Daily Beast