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 a synthetic drug formerly used as a sedative and hypnotic but withdrawn from the market when found to cause abnormalities in developing fetuses.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

How many of us remember the case of thalidomide?

From Seattle Times

“Today, on behalf of the people of Australia, our government and this Parliament offers a full unreserved and overdue apology to all thalidomide survivors, their families, loved ones, and carers,” Albanese said.

From Seattle Times

It was an Australian report in The Lancet medical journal that first warned the world of thalidomide's dangers in 1961, and it was taken off the market soon after.

From BBC

"The thalidomide tragedy is a dark chapter in the history of our nation and the world," Albanese said in a statement.

From Reuters

Some of that mistrust may be rooted in the 1950s and '60s, when the morning sickness drug thalidomide led to thousands of babies being born with severe birth defects.

From Salon