A report by drug developer Vivus has found that an ingredient in the weight-loss drug Qnexa has been linked to an increased risk of birth defects occurring when it is taken by pregnant women.
Vivus reported that the risk of a woman giving birth to a child with cleft palate or cleft lip was 36 percent for those who took topiramate, such as Topamax during the early stages of pregnancy. Comparatively, the risk for the same birth defects was only 16 percent for women who had ingested the drug prior to their pregnancy.
According to the Associated Press, after the Food and Drug Administration refused to approve Qnexa in October 2010 due to its birth defect risks, Vivus conducted an analysis of more than 15,000 past medical records of women who took topiramate to treat epilepsy. The drug is also approved to help relieve migraines.
Vivus has shared its findings with the FDA and expects to confirm the medical claims during the third quarter of 2012.
If you or a loved one has been injured by Topamax or another dangerous drug, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Sokolove Law to find out if a dangerous drugs attorney may be able to help you and represent your case.