thalidomide

noun1

1. •
   An immunomodulatory drug used to treat a number of cancers and skin disorders, historically promoted as a sedative and medication for morning sickness.

   • I have tried all the medium and short acting non-barbiturate sedatives since the war (including thalidomide) but they don’t work and I don’t trust the newfangled long acting, “safe” analgesics. — 1988