Doctors often prescribed Thalidomide to pregnant women to treat morning sickness and as a sedative to assist with sleep. Thalidomide was sold from 1957 until 1961. The product was withdrawn when it was discovered that Thalidomide was teratogenic - causing malformations of an embryo or foetus. Countless babies were born with birth-defects; most notably missing limbs.
Thalidomide was supposed to be an effective sedative for pregnant women, but thalidomide caused birth defects and peripheral neuropathy.
For pregnant women to sleep better
Thalidomide was originally used as a light sedative. It proved to be a powerful teratogen, and was withdrawn after having caused a number of very serious birth defects.Interestingly, though, thalidomide can once again be prescribed in connection with the treatment of multiple myeloma. Safeguards are in effect to prevent the distribution of the drug to women who are pregnant, or who could become pregnant.
Thalidomide
Thalidomide.
It sedated pregnant women, and then it affected the fetus of the pregnant woman which caused birth defects
Because it worked against severe morning sickness.
Thalidomide is not an antibiotic. It's a sedative and antiemetic. It was commonly prescribed for "morning sickness" until it was realized that it is also a teratogen and causes birth defects. It is occasionally still used as a painkiller and anti-angiogenesis agent in the treatment of leprosy and certain types of cancer, though steps are taken to ensure that it is not taken by pregnant women.
It Caused Unexpected Damage To The Babies Of Thousands Of Pregnant Women.
Thalidomide was originally given to pregnant women who suffered from morning sickness, it is not also used to treat leprosy. Although it often cured women's morning sickness, it actually causes severe limb dis-configurements in newborn children.
Thalidomide was marketed as an aid for nausea and for pregnant women to prevent morning sickness. Thalidomide was withdrawn because it was found to cause birth defects in newborns, such as missing limbs, it also caused peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) in long time users. Thalidomide still being used as a treatment option for various forms of cancer.
It was a hormone that was prescribed for pregnant women in the 1950s and early 1960s