Topamax and Birth Injuries
Topamax is an anti-epilepsy drug often used in conjunction with Phentermine as a tool for weight loss. While Topamax is intended to help with epilepsy, physicians can also prescribe it to help prevent migraine headaches. Many studies have revealed that pregnant women who use many different medications together, including Topamax, put their children at increased risk for certain birth defects.
The Dangers of This Drug
Studies show that pregnant women who take Topamax could have an increased risk of serious side effects. Some of the most common side effects of taking this drug include:
- Nausea
- Depression
- Paresthesia
- Fatigue
There are other risks, too, like weight loss, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. This drug could also cause conditions like acute myopia, angle-closure glaucoma, and other problems with eyesight.
Dangers to the Child
Along with posing dangers to the mother, Topamax can also affect the infant. It can cause a birth disorder, and some of the disorders can be quite severe. This medication could be dangerous to the child while in the womb, which results in a significantly higher chance that the child will be born with a cleft lip or cleft palate. In fact, the risk of birth defects is 16 times higher when you take this drug. Some of the most common risks of taking Topamax include:
- Spina bifida
- Lung defects
- Neural tube defects
- Limb malformations
- Heart defects
Don’t Breastfeed the Child While on Topamax.
Breastfeeding your child while on this medication can lead to a birth injury. Babies who breastfeed while their mother uses this medication have an increased risk of diarrhea, fatigue, poor feeding habits, and weight loss. While there are cases where the child breastfed and was fine, the dangers are still high enough to try to avoid doing so where possible.
Who is Liable?
Let’s say that your child was born with birth defects because of Topamax. In terms of liability, it depends on the circumstances. For example, if your doctor warned you about the side effects and you still took the medication, you can’t file a lawsuit. However, if he failed to warn you, you may have a case against him. Also, you could hold the drug manufacturers responsible because they have a responsibility to the public. A failure to uphold this means that they could see a flood of lawsuits. Discuss your case with a professional who can help determine liability and help get you the compensation you deserve.
Financial help is available. One of the biggest dangers that can arise is cerebral palsy. This disability can last a lifetime, and it can have long-term consequences for the child. You want to take as many precautions as possible.