Topamax
A new study again confirming what previous studies have already found: Epilepsy medications like Depakote, Topamax and Lamictal increase a baby’s chances of being born with birth defects.
The study was released online in the medical journal Epilepsia. During the study, Norway scientists discovered that the children born to women taking anti-seizure medications were at an increased risk of being born with birth defects — including abnormal gross motor control, autism, speech and congenital malformations — than the children born to women who weren’t taking the drugs. Previous studies have already shown that birth defects (like PPHN, oral clefts, heart, lung and brain defects) were linked to epilepsy medications like Topamax.
For this newest study, researchers analyzed data collected from thousands of Norwegian children. They learned of “333 that had been exposed to some form of antiepileptic drug while in the womb. They compared those children to children born to mothers who had epilepsy, but who had not taken antiseizure drugs. They found that the rates of autism, gross motor control problems, speech and birth defects were increased for children taking the drugs at 18 months and at 36 months.”
The specific drugs mentioned in this study included Depakote, Lamictal, Tegretol and combinations of drugs. The side effects were the same in all of the drugs and combinations. Topamax is another drug that is used to prevent seizures, but it is also dangerous to use for women who are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. Topamax has been linked to an increased risk of suicide and suicidal thoughts, and birth defects in women whose babies are exposed to the drug in-utero. Some of those birth defects linked to Topamax use during pregnancy include cleft lips, cleft palates, genital defects and other birth malformations.
If your baby was born with birth defects after in-utero exposure to Topamax, contact attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Topamax lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your child’s injuries.
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