Topamax Birth Defects: Topamax Side Effects That Can Harm Your Baby

Topamax birth defects have become a serious concern, especially in light of recent FDA warnings about potential Topamax side effects in pregnant women. Statistics on Topamax and pregnancy from the North American Antiepileptic Drug (AED) Pregnancy Registry and from the European registry are startling, indicating that infants exposed to Topamax in the womb may have as much as a 21 percent greater chance of developing a cleft lip, a cleft palate or other defects caused by Topamax side effects.

Types of Topamax Birth Defects

The most common types of defects are Topamax cleft lips or cleft palates, which are structural defects that occur when the mouth does not develop and fuse properly as the baby is growing in the womb. In some cases, both a cleft lip and cleft palette may occur together.

The consequences of cleft lip and palate defects can range from small notches that can be corrected through surgery to more serious clefts that can cause problems with consuming food or learning to talk. In some instances, a cleft palate or cleft lip can even contribute to an increase in ear infections.

In addition to these concerns, some babies who suffer from Topamax side effects experience serious heart defects, abdominal defects or cranial defects. Other Topamax defects include problems with the limbs and arms.

Topamax Lawsuits

In light of connection between Topamax and pregnancy problems, many plaintiffs are becoming involved in a Topamax lawsuit. These lawsuits are based on three types of claims:

• Manufacturing Defects: The argument that provides the basis for this Topamax lawsuit is that the manufacturing of the product created a drug that caused harm when used as intended.
• Design Defects: This claim is similar to the one made for manufacturing defects. Plaintiffs, often with the help of a Topamax lawyer, must prove the product caused harm when used as designed.
• Warning Defects: This type of claim alleges that there were inadequate warnings about the dangers of Topamax and pregnancy. The fact that the FDA is mandating a stronger pregnancy warning on Topamax will serve as strong evidence as to the inadequacy of the previous warnings.

Other lawsuits stem from allegations that Topamax was not adequately tested for use in pregnant women and from allegations that Topamax was marketed for “off-label” uses. Off-label means uses not approved by the FDA. Topamax was intended for use as an anti-seizure medication and a migraine medication, but was also used off-label as a treatment for bipolar disorder and as a weight-loss drug.

Getting Legal Help for Birth Defects

When a dangerous product causes a birth defect, parents may want to hold the manufacturer responsible. If you or a loved one has been affected by a Topamax birth defect, contact an experienced Topamax lawyer at Chaffin Luhana LLP at 1-888-480-1123 for a free and confidential case review. You may be entitled to compensation, and the lawyers at Chaffin Luhana can help.