Law Offices of J. Robert Davis, P.C.

Topamax - Cleft Lip and Palate in Newborns

FREE CASE REVIEW

Topamax (Topiramate) is an anticonvulsant medication. It has been marketed under the following names:

• Topamax
• Topamax Sprinkle
• Topiragen
• Topiramate

This medication is used to treat seizures in people with epilepsy, migraines and seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Topamax is used to treat seizures in patients who continue to have seizures even when taking other anti-seizure medication. This drug works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.

Topamax has been used off-label to treat psychiatric disorders like bi-polar disorder, bulimia and alcoholism.

Birth Defects Associated with Topamax

FDA has released data that shows an increased risk of birth defects when taking Topamax while pregnant. The common birth defects are cleft lips and cleft palates.

The data shows that infants exposed to Topamax had a risk of birth defects 20 times greater than infants not exposed to any anticonvulsant medication. Compared to infants exposed to other anticonvulsant medication, those exposed to Topamax had a 3 times greater risk of birth defect.

Topamax and Birth Defects

In March 2011 the FDA released data showing that Topamax and other Topiramate medications increase the risk of birth defects. In the press release, the FDA stated, “there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on human data.”

The manufacturer of Topamax, Ortho-McNeil in 2010 pleaded guilty to promoting off-label use.

If you took Topamax and you or your child suffered any of these possible side effects then attorneys at The Law Offices of Robert Davis are ready to help. Please call our office today at 800-529-5072 or complete the short form on this page for a free case evaluation.

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