Thalidomide, C 13 H 10 N 2 O 4, is a drug that was originally used in 1957 to help relieve pregnant women of morning sickness. But, thousands of women in 46 different countries around the world started having babies with birth defects after taking Thalidomide. At first, nobody was able to directly connect Thalidomide to the birth defects. Although, in 1960, tests by scientists proved that this drug was the cause. Then, in 1962, Thalidomide was banned worldwide. Years later, it was discovered that despite all of the birth defects it can cause, Thalidomide actually can help treat other diseases. It does this by blocking angiogenesis, the creation of new blood vessels in the body. It also blocks tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, which causes inflammation and fever. Thalidomide has been reported to help treat cancer tumors, behcet's syndrome, lupus, mouth sores, multiple myeloma, skin symptoms of leprosy, and tuberculosis.
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