Thalidomide

Thalidomide is a medication that was originally developed in the late 1950s as a sedative and to treat morning sickness in pregnant women. However, it led to severe birth defects in thousands of babies, prompting its withdrawal from the market in the early 1960s. The drug's effects highlighted the importance of drug safety and regulation. Interestingly, Thalidomide has since been repurposed to treat certain conditions such as multiple myeloma and leprosy, under strict medical supervision, demonstrating its complex history and potential therapeutic benefits despite its past.