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Birth defects when Paxil, Depakote & Topamax are taken during pregnancy

Posted on April 26th, 2011

Do you, a friend, or loved one have a child that has suffered from a birth defect? Please consider the following information: spina bifida, cleft palette, and heart valve malformations are all examples of conditions that may be related to medications taken during pregnancy. Children with these conditions face years of specialized medical care and often need multiple surgeries before the age of ten. Many parents don’t realize that medications can affect fetal development because the drug manufacturer does not warn them of the danger. While investigating any potential claim, it is our goal to provide the family with answers to their questions and concerns, and help recover the costs of present and future medical treatment.

The following are drugs that may be related to birth defects:

TOPAMAX (topiramate), a popular drug that is prescribed to prevent epileptic seizures and migraines, has been on the market since 1997. It may interfere with fetal development if taken during the first trimester when the fetus is growing and fusing together both sides of the upper lip and palette (the roof of the mouth). Cleft lips and cleft palettes require several surgeries to close the gap caused by the toxin.

In March 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication for patients and doctors warning of the link to oral clefts. If you or a loved one has a child with a cleft lip or palette and the mother may have taken topamax or oral medication for seizures or migraines, please allow us to see if we can help.

DEPAKOTE (divalproex sodium) is drug used to treat seizures, manic depression, migraine headaches, and chronic pain. Research shows there may be a link to spina bifida when taking this medication during pregnancy. Depakote may interfere with the closing of the fetal spinal column, which is supposed to occur in the first month of pregnancy.

Babies born with spina bifida have an opening in the spinal column that puts them at risk for infection and spinal cord damage. These infants must undergo several surgeries to repair the damage. If you or a loved one has a child with spina bifida, please allow us to see if we can help.

PAXIL (paroxetine) is an antidepressant medication that has been prescribed since 1992 for depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders. In 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication for patients and doctors warning of the possible link to heart valve defects in infants. When Paxil is taken during pregnancy it may cause atrial septal and ventricular septal defects (ASD or VSD). These defects are holes in between the chambers of the heart that are supposed to be separated. The hole allows some of the blood to flow in the wrong direction.

Heart defects often require multiple surgeries at an early age. If you or a loved one has a child with heart defects and the mother may have been on antidepressants, please allow us to see if we can help.

For more information, contact Goldenberg Heller Antognoli & Rowland, P.C.