According to a report from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), current data reveals that the drug Topamax (topiramate) has been linked to an increased risk of cleft palate/lip and spina bifida in children born to women taking the drug. The birth defect spina bifida is a condition where the baby’s spinal cord is not completely closed. The birth defect cleft lip and palate or “oral cleft” is a birth defect where the baby’s top lip or palate does not completely closed. This birth defect associated with Topamax usage can cause difficulty with talking, eating and can also cause ear infections and affect appearance.

Topamax (topiramate) is a medication approved by the FDA to treat epilepsy, seizures, and certain types of migraines. The North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry and the UK Epilepsy and Pregnancy Register found an increased risk to infants born of mothers who ingested the dangerous drug. What’s worse is that many doctors have been prescribing this medication for “off-label” use. In other words, doctors are giving the dangerous drug to people for things other than its intended uses. These off-label uses include, obsessive-compulsive disorder, alcoholism, headaches to quit smoking, hypertension and neuropathic pain.

Topamax is a “Category D” drug which means that during pregnancy, there has been data revealing evidence of human fetal risk. It used to only b e a Category C medication as the risk was based upon animal testing only. The testing on humans has now been conducted. The FDA is requiring that Topamax (toparimate) labels be changed to reflect the recent findings and to advise of the increased risks.

If you or a loved one has taken Topamax (topiramate) during pregnancy and the baby was born with spina bifida or cleft lip/palate, there may be a potential claim available. Please contact Lindsay Rakers, your Missouri and Illinois Topamax (topiramate) attorney, at 800-517-0602.

We are handling these cases nationwide.