Another foundation that is focused on aiding consumers has come out with its own warning for women to think twice about taking the antiepileptic drug Topamax.
The Consumer Justice Foundation – which touts itself as a “comprehensive online resource providing American consumers with important information about the health risks associated with certain pharmaceutical drugs” – recently released a statement urging all women who are “of childbearing age” and taking Topamax to consider the risks the medication may pose to their future children if they become pregnant.
Topamax has been used to treat migraines and epilepsy since its first was approved by the FDA in 1996. However, in recent years the FDA and the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry (as well as many other organizations) have documented the increased risk of a woman who is pregnant and taking Topamax giving birth to a child with birth defects such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and hyospadias.
The foundation added that there is even a risk in taking Topamax before one knows they are pregnant, as many of the birth defects can occur during the first trimester of a pregnancy before a woman is aware of the pregnancy.
“Because nearly half of all pregnancies are unplanned, all women of childbearing age taking Topamax may be at risk of causing serious harm to their unborn child,” said the foundation in its statement.
If you or a loved one took Topamax before learning of a pregnancy that ended with a child being born with a cleft palate or cleft lip, there may be legal action you can pursue in the form of a Topamax lawsuit. Contact a Topamax attorney at Sokolove Law today to see if you have the grounds for a lawsuit that could result in a financial settlement.