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 a synthetic drug formerly used as a sedative and hypnotic but withdrawn from the market when found to cause abnormalities in developing fetuses.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

As a result of the Thalidomide tragedy, in which an anti-nausea medication given to pregnant women in the 1950s and ’60s resulted in thousands of babies with birth defects, women of childbearing age were excluded from many clinical trials unless they had a life-threatening condition.

From Los Angeles Times

Dr Henrietta Hughes told the BBC she believed the sodium valproate scandal was "bigger than thalidomide" - referring to the severe birth defects caused by a morning-sickness drug, which was licensed in the 1950s in the UK.

From BBC

How many of us remember the case of thalidomide?

From Seattle Times

He also won acclaim for a 1974 documentary looking into the campaign for compensation for children after concerns were raised about birth defects when expectant mothers took the drug Thalidomide.

From Seattle Times

He also won acclaim for a 1974 documentary looking into the campaign for compensation for children after concerns were raised about birth defects when expectant mothers took the drug Thalidomide.

From Washington Times