First Known Use: 1958
Dictionary
thalidomide
noun tha·lid·o·mide \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
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Origin of THALIDOMIDE
phthalic acid + -id- (from imide) + -o- + imide
Rhymes with THALIDOMIDE
Medical Dictionary
thalidomide
noun tha·lid·o·mide \thə-ˈlid-ə-ˌmīd, -məd\
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that was used chiefly in Europe during the late 1950s and early 1960s especially to treat morning sickness but was soon withdrawn after being shown to cause serious malformations (as missing or severely shortened arms and legs) in infants born to mothers using it during the first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
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