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Parenthood changes your thoughts and actions to revolve around the wellbeing of your child.  The parenting books, classes, and advice all try to prepare you, but in the end can the medication you take makes things worse?  If you’ve taken Topamax and are a considering pregnancy, consider the following to protect your future family.

The Food and Drug Administration has classified Topamax as a Pregnancy Category D pharmaceutical, which means that Topamax carries an increased risk of harm to fetuses.  The North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry reported that mothers who had taken the drug have a higher percentage of their fetuses developing defects within the first trimester.  Infants will often exhibit three types of Topamax birth defects: cleft lip, cleft palate, and genital malformations.

Cleft Lip

The cleft lip is a simplified medical term to describe an opening or gap in the lip.  There are three types of … Read More »

Dreaded by teenagers and adults alike, acne is a condition that becomes an issue for most people within their lifetime.  Whether mild or severe forms, acne creates anxiety over untimely blemishes and breakouts.  In early 1982, manufacturing company Hoffmann-La Roche discovered isotretionoin, generally known as Accutane.  Initial reports showed the drug to be effective because about 85% of patients observed a reduction of their acne within a 5 month period.  However, manufacturers and developers failed to properly disclose Accutane symptoms.  This left many people to choose between debilitating acne or potentially increased dangers from the side effects.

In the same year Accutane was developed, the FDA approved it for commercial use with a label warning against taking it during pregnancy.  Nevertheless, women began reporting birth defects that ranged from heart problems, mental retardation, facial disfiguration, and missing ears.  The FDA required that Hoffmann-La Roche increase the warning labels on … Read More »

Imagine waking up each morning and hating to look at your reflection in the mirror.  For many suffering with severe acne, this is a part of their daily routine.  Each look in the mirror becomes a constant reminder of the condition that plagues them.  Unsightly blemishes damage self-esteem and reduce quality of life for thousands of sufferers. Dermatologists across the country prescribed Accutane, a powerful acne drug, to reduce severe acne and renew patient confidence.  Unknown to patients or doctors, the side effects would carry a lifetime of medical complications, including gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and ulcerative proctitis, which can result in major surgery.  Other side effects include mental illness and birth defects.

In 2009, Accutane manufacturers pulled the product from the market after definitive reports linked the drug to devastating side effects.  Experiencing symptoms from the aforementioned conditions after taking Accutane, … Read More »

When a mother first looks at her baby, only to realize he or she has been born with a cleft lip, it can be a devastating experience. Though modern medical procedures can fix cleft lips and palates, these birth defects can still have long-term psychological effects on children.

Since the FDA recently warned that the anti-seizure medication Topamax (topiramate), when taken by pregnant women, greatly increases the risk that their babies will develop the birth defects cleft lips and cleft palates, many mothers will be searching for an attorney to help them decide if they should file a lawsuit. Looking for a lawyer can be an overwhelming task, especially in the area of personal injury law where the effects are so – personal. If you took Topamax during pregnancy, and your baby developed a birth defect, here are some key points you should keep in mind so you have the … Read More »