Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian, photographed at the Hype Energy U.S. launch on June 2, admired photos of Jennifer Lopez who was wearing a racy outfit. Getty Images

Kim Kardashian West is facing backlash for promoting a morning sickness medication. The pregnant reality TV star and business mogul is being criticized for jumping on the opportunity to cash in on her pregnancy problems.

Kanye West’s wife had been very vocal about her health issues during her first pregnancy as well as her current one. Shortly after making the announcement that she is pregnant with their second child at the end of May, she started to openly speak out about her struggles with morning sickness.

After getting some advice from her fans and even from her own brother on how to get past the issue, Kardashian, who is now five months pregnant, decided to promote a morning sickness drug called Diclegis. She took to Instagram on Monday to post a classic endorsement photo. Part of the lengthy photo caption reads: “OMG. Have you heard about this? As you guys know my#morningsickness has been pretty bad. I tried changing things about my lifestyle, like my diet, but nothing helped, so I talked to my doctor. He prescribed me#Diclegis, I felt a lot better and most importantly, it’s been studied and there was no increased risk to the baby. “

Kardashian went on to confirm that she now has a partnership with Duchesnay USA, the manufacturer of the drug. Shortly after posting the endorsement, the post was inundated with negative comments.

“Pills during pregnancy is a big no no,” said user freemindbeauty. Another user who goes by the handle gonewiththewindfrobulous said: “You couldn't pay me to use my pregnancy and child as a test dummy! No one knows what type of long term effects they may have on your unborn child.”

According to a report by the New York Daily News, the Diclegis drug has a controversial history. It was once sold under the name Bendectin and was taken off the market in 1983 after having been associated with an increased risk in birth defects.

There was no solid proof that the drug caused any defects, but the backlash stemming from the case of another morning sickness drug was enough for Bendectin to be discontinued. Duchesnay USA reformulated and renamed the drug only in 2013.