Thalidomide

Thalidomide ( /θəˈlɪdəmaɪd/) is a sedative drug introduced in the late 1950s that was used as a sleeping pill, but was quickly discovered to be effective against morning sickness too. It was sold from 1957 until 1961, when it was withdrawn after being found to be a teratogen - a cause of birth defects. Modern uses of thalidomide (trademarked as Thalomid, according to FDA Orange Book) include treating multiple myeloma in combination with dexamethasone, and erythema nodosum leprosum, with strict controls on its use to prevent birth defects. Research is ongoing in its use to treat other cancers and autoimmune conditions, although its use is controversial; the thalidomide tragedy led to much stricter testing being introduced for drug and pesticide licensing.