thalidomide

tha·lid·o·mide

noun \thə-ˈli-də-ˌmīd, -məd\

Definition of THALIDOMIDE

: a drug C₁₃H₁₀N₂O₄ that was formerly used as a sedative and is now used as an immunomodulatory agent especially in the treatment of leprosy and that is known to cause malformations of infants born to mothers using it during pregnancy

Origin of THALIDOMIDE

phthalic acid + -id- (from imide) + -o- + imide

First Known Use: 1958

Rhymes with THALIDOMIDE

by the wayside, dissatisfied, fit to be tied, formaldehyde, infanticide, initial side, insecticide, interallied, preoccupied, rodenticide, self-satisfied, terminal side, Trinitytide, tyrannicide, uxoricide

tha·lid·o·mide

noun \thə-ˈlid-ə-ˌmīd, -məd\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of THALIDOMIDE

: a sedative, hypnotic, and antiemetic drug C₁₃H₁₀N₂O₄ that was used chiefly in Europe during the late 1950s and early 1960s especially to treat morning sickness but was soon withdrawn after being shown to cause serious malformations (as missing or severely shortened arms and legs) in infants born to mothers using it during the first trimester of pregnancy and has now been reintroduced for use as a treatment for the cutaneous complications of leprosy and is being investigated for use as an immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic agent in the treatment of various diseases

thalidomide

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Drug formerly used as a sedative and to prevent morning sickness during pregnancy. Synthesized in 1954, it was introduced in almost 50 countries, including West Germany and Britain, where it became popular because it was effective and huge overdoses were not fatal. In 1961 it was found to cause congenital disorders; when it is taken in early pregnancy, some 20% of fetuses have phocomelia (defective development of the limbs) and other deformities; 5,000–10,000 such babies were born. It was never distributed for clinical use in the U.S. (see Helen Brooke Taussig). Thalidomide appears effective against inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, including certain late-stage AIDS symptoms, and is licensed for use in such treatments in some countries.