Thalidomide was used in the 1960s as an anxiolytic and antiemetic agent for pregnant women and was withdrawn from use because of its teratogenic effects. Because of its antiangiogenic properties, it has resurfaced as an antineoplastic drug and currently is indicated for the treatment of multiple myeloma.Thalidomide reduces the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha. It has been used in AIDS-associated cachexia and has been studied in cancer-related anorexia and cachexia. Adverse effects include dizziness, drowsiness, somnolence, constipation, and increased incidence of thromboembolic events. The use of thalidomide is strictly regulated because of its teratogenic effects. Thalidomide use has been examined in patients with cancer for treatment of anorexia, fatigue, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.