If you take Topamax to control seizures or for migraine headaches and you are pregnant or planning to start a family, you should know that Topamax raises the risk that your baby will be born with certain birth defects, including a cleft lip or palate.
If you were taking the prescription drug Topamax or topiramate (the generic version) during your pregnancy, and your baby was born with a cleft lip or facial cleft birth defect, you may have a legal claim.
A legal case against the drug maker can help you obtain the money you need for your child's injuries. But there are time limits for your case, so do not delay.
For a free consultation, contact the experienced Florida pharmaceutical litigation lawyers at Gordon & Doner via our online contact form or toll-free at (800) 659-1159.
About Topamax and Topiramate Side Effects
Topamax, marketed by Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, has been on the market in the United States since 1996. It is a commonly prescribed anti-seizure medication. The generic version is topiramate.
New medical data of pregnant women collected by the North American Antiepileptic Drug Registry revealed an increased incidence of babies with cleft lips and cleft palates born to women taking Topamax and topiramate. That prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March 2011 to issue a warning about the increased risk.
The FDA reclassified Topamax and topiramate as a Pregnancy Category D drug, a category that covers drugs where there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans. The FDA also ordered stronger warning labels on the drugs to alert users to the risk of cleft lips and facial clefts.
More About Oral Cleft Birth Defects
Oral cleft birth defects—which include cleft lips, cleft palates and facial clefts—occur when parts of the palate or lip don’t form properly during the first trimester of pregnancy. The damage may happen to the fetus during the first few months of development before you even realize that you are pregnant.
Babies born with cleft lips or cleft palates often have difficulty nursing, eating and talking. Because of the cleft, a baby may aspirate food into the lungs, causing serious respiratory infections. Babies with cleft defects will need plastic surgery to repair the defect, typically in their first 18 months. Babies born with cleft lips and cleft palates often require speech therapy and orthodontics.
A settlement that recognizes the seriousness of your baby’s birth defect and injury to your family can help you pay for medical bills, therapy and other related expenses you’ll incur, allowing you to focus on your baby’s well-being.
Contact A Drug Injury Lawyer If Your Family Has Been Harmed by Topamax
The law firm of Gordon & Doner believes that drug manufacturers should be held fully accountable for injuries and birth defects caused by their products.
If Topamax or topiramate has harmed your baby, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced Topamax birth defect lawyers at Gordon & Doner can help you determine if you have a case. The attorneys of Gordon & Doner have received professional accolades for their representation of clients in West Palm Beach, Martin County, Stuart, Pembroke Pines, Miami and throughout Florida.
For more information or to schedule a free case evaluation, contact the qualified pharmaceutical lawyers at Gordon & Doner today. Use or online contact form or call us toll-free at (800) 659-1159.
Additional Resources: Topamax Frequently Asked Questions
