Thalidomide (Noun)
Meaning
A sedative and hypnotic drug; withdrawn from sale after discovered to cause severe birth defects because it inhibits angiogenesis.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The 1950s and 1960s saw widespread use of thalidomide as a sedative and hypnotic drug until its devastating side effects became apparent.
- Thalidomide was prescribed to pregnant women to alleviate morning sickness, unaware of the severe birth defects it would cause.
- Thalidomide inhibits angiogenesis, a critical process in fetal development, leading to the growth restriction of vital organs and limbs.
- After reports of thalidomide-induced birth defects surfaced, the pharmaceutical companies faced severe backlash and were forced to withdraw the drug from sale.
- Years after its initial ban, thalidomide was reintroduced as a therapeutic agent to treat certain types of cancer, albeit with strict warnings and controls.