The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug Topamax (topiramate) in 1996 as an anti-convulsant. While it is used to treat epilepsy, Topamax is more commonly prescribed to prevent migraine headaches. Topamax is also prescribed to treat obesity, alcoholism, and bipolar disorder.
After 15 years on the market and becoming one of Janssen Pharmaceuticals top sellers, earning the manufacturer millions of dollars in sales, the FDA issued a warning of the increased risk of cleft lip or cleft palate associated with the drug. In that warning, the FDA cited research that found women who took Topamax in the first trimester of pregnancy were 16 times more likely to have babies born with oral cleft defects in comparison to other women included in the study.
Impact of an Oral Cleft Birth Defect on a Child
An oral cleft is a birth defect where there is an opening in the lip and/or roof of the mouth, also called the palate that is caused by incomplete development during early fetal formation. Such defect may range from a narrow gap in the lip as seen in a cleft lip, to a gap that spans the entire roof of the mouth and nose as seen in a cleft palate. Both form of cleft is considered a cosmetic defect, and corrective surgery may be sought to treat an affected child. However, if a child’s cleft remains uncorrected, he or she may face problems with speech, an increase in the likelihood of ear infections, and even issues associated with his or her social life and self-image.
How Oral Cleft Birth Defects Happen After Taking Topamax
Oral cleft defects occur early on in a child’s development. In some cases, the defect may develop before a woman is aware of being pregnant, which can make it difficult for her to protect her child. In 2011, the FDA issued the warning of the increased risk of cleft lip or cleft palate associated with Topamax, and officials urged doctors to advise women of childbearing age of that risk. The FDA also classified Topamax as a Pregnancy Category D drug, meaning that there is positive evidence of fetal risk based on human data, and asked that the drug’s label be updated to reflect a stronger classification and warning.
On October 30th. a Pennsylvania jury found that Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. negligently failed to warn the risk of birth defects from the epilepsy drug Topamax. The negligence was a major contributor in causing a cleft lip/cleft palate in the son of a lead plaintiff, awarding the injured minor $4 million in damages. Janssen also failed to warn medical physicians about the debilitating birth defects. There are about currently 134 pending cases in Philadelphia over the epilepsy drug.
If taking a medication as it was prescribed harms a patient, the firm suggests discussing your case with a qualified birth defect lawyer immediately. Doing so will help ensure any rights to compensation the patient may have are protected.
How Drugs with Topiramate Cause Birth Defects
Topiramate-containing drugs are most often used to ease epilepsy and migraines, but Topamax related birth defects have made this a dangerous course of treatment for pregnant women. Although the substance was approved in 1996 by the FDA, several medical studies have since proven it is capable of causing major health complications. In March 2011, the FDA pushed the medication from pregnancy category C to pregnancy category D, citing research that showed an increased risk of cleft lip and cleft palate.
In 2008, a study was published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Neurology. In this study, several researchers reviewed the UK epilepsy and pregnancy register and found Topamax caused birth defects in many children. In all, 178 live births were studied for effects of the drug. Of the 178, 16 were born with major congenital malformation. Most of these were cleft lip and palate, though some were also born with hypospadias, a urethra malformation in male children. The study concluded that the incidence rate of cleft lip and palate in these children was 11 times higher than children whose mothers had not taken the drug.
Even though topiramate is in pregnancy category D, which means there is a proven link between the medication and human fetal abnormalities, it is still approved for use in many cases. In 2012, the FDA approved its use for weight loss. The agency estimates that around 32 million prescriptions for the drug have been filled, and its extensive off-label use means that many of these prescriptions were likely given to pregnant women.
If You Believe Taking Topamax Resulted in Birth Defects in Your Child, Contact Us
Any woman who has had a child with topiramate related abnormalities should think about contacting an attorney that specializes in Topamax injury cases.
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ 
