Orlando, Florida Topamax and Topiramate Lawyer
Topamax and Topiramate, anti-convulsant medications used to treat certain types of seizures in persons who have epilepsy. Topamax and Topiramate may cause birth defects such as cleft palate or cleft lip. Topamax and Topiramate patients who experience adverse reactions may be entitled to compensation for their suffering.
If your child has suffered as a result of prenatal Topamax and Topiramate use, a trial-tested dangerous drug lawyer can help you hold those responsible for your child’s suffering liable for their negligence. Our dangerous drug attorneys are currently investigating claims involving Topamax / Topiramate birth defects.
At The Law Office of Frank M. Eidson, each Orlando, Florida Topamax and Topiramate lawyer has the experience necessary to stand toe-to-toe with big pharmaceutical companies. Our firm has the resources to successfully litigate a Topamax or Topiramate lawsuit. Through the years we’ve handled innumerable personal injuryand dangerous drug claims. If you’ve experienced Topamax or Topiramate side effects, our attorneys can help.
To discuss your potential dangerous drug lawsuit, contact The Law Office of Frank M. Eidson today. An experienced, trial-tested Topamax and Topiramate lawyer will carefully evaluate your case and explain your legal options.
FDA Warns of Topamax Cleft Lip and Topamax Cleft Palate Risk
On March 4, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, notified healthcare professionals and the public of an increased risk for the development of cleft lip and cleft palate in infants whose mothers received treatment with Topamax while pregnant.
According to the FDA, data from the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry reflect an “increased risk of an oral cleft in infants exposed to topiramate during the first trimester of pregnancy. Infants exposed to topiramate as a single therapy experienced a 1.4% prevalence of oral clefts, compared with a prevalence of 0.38% – 0.55% in infants exposed to other antiepileptic drugs. Infants of mothers who did not have epilepsy and were not being treated with other antiepileptic drugs had a prevalence of 0.07%.”
Based on this information, the FDA has reclassified Topamax as a “Pregnancy Category D” medication. Pregnancy Category D indicates that there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but that in certain situations, the use of the drug in pregnant women may be warranted, despite the potential risks. The FDA will require a Topamax labeling change to alert patients and healthcare providers of the increased risk of cleft lip and cleft palate associated with Topamax therapy.
Topamax Side Effects
Topamax can result in serious birth defects such as cleft palate or cleft lip. These birth defects occur when parts of the lip or palate fail to completely fuse together. The defect can result in a small, notched lip or in extreme cases, an open groove that extends from the roof of the mouth to the nose. Cleft lip and cleft palate birth defects can cause problems eating and communicating, and can increase the risk of ear infections.
A scientific study, published in Neurology in 2008, established that taking Topamax significantly increases the risk of birth defects. The published study reviewed 203 pregnancies. Of these, 178 resulted in a live birth. Overall, the rate of oral clefts observed was 11 times more prevalent than the normal rate. Due to these and other serious side effects, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning for patients taking Topamax. The warning was raised to Category D, which means there is positive evidence of human fetal risk.
Topamax / Topiramate Lawsuits
It’s not uncommon for pharmaceuticals to be associated with adverse effects or serious side effects. However, drug manufacturers and sellers have certain responsibilities to the public, including:
- Exercising reasonable care in drug development, manufacturing, inspection, and labeling.
- Informing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the public of any side effects.
- Advertising in a truthful and non-misleading way.
As a consumer and patient, you have the right to trust that your medication is safe. This is not always the case. When a pharmaceutical company acts negligently, its actions can result in serious side effects. Victims however, may have a remedy by bringing a product liability claim against the drug’s maker.
Well-versed in the product liability laws that protect consumers, our Orlando, Florida dangerous drug attorneys have handled countless claims on behalf of victims nationwide. To discuss your claim, contact an experienced Topamax and Topiramate lawyer.
Contact Our Orlando, Florida Topamax and Topiramate Attorneys
As a consumer and a patient, you have the right to trust your medication is safe. Tragically, this is not always the case. When a pharmaceutical company acts negligently, its actions can result in serious side effects. Victims however, may recoup damages through a successful product liability claim against the drug’s maker.
Our Topamax and Topiramate attorneys represent victims across the Central Florida. Well versed in the product liability laws that protect consumers, our Orlando, Florida Topamax and Topiramate attorneys have handled countless lawsuits involving harmful pharmaceuticals. If you have experienced Topamax or Topiramate side effects, contact us today and discuss your potential claim with an experienced trial attorney.
+Frank Eidson