Pregnant women need to be cautious about certain prescription drugs, as some medications have been linked to an increased risk of birth defects. Research has shown that many pregnant women are unaware that the risky drugs they are taking can potentially harm their unborn child. A study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in September 2007 found that 50% of pregnant women who took certain medications were unaware of the risks to their babies. Some of the most common medications that have been linked to birth defects include:
- Topamax®
- Depakote®
- Zoloft®
- Paxil®
- Celexa®
- Lexapro®
- Other Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Antidepressants and Birth Defects
SSRIs, such as Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and Lexapro, have been associated with several serious congenital birth defects. Many women who took these medications during pregnancy did not receive adequate warnings about the risks to their babies. These dangerous medications have been linked to a variety of birth defects, including:
- Cardiac defects
- Persistent pulmonary hypertension in newborns (PPHN)
- Neural tube defects
- Craniosynostosis
- Anal atresia
- Cleft lip and cleft palate
- Limb malformations
Research indicates that pregnant women who took an SSRI after the 20th week of conception were six times more likely to have a baby with PPHN. Additionally, a 2008 study found a strong association between Paxil and heart defects.
Topamax and Birth Defects
In March 2011, the FDA issued a warning regarding Topamax, a drug used to treat epilepsy and migraines. Pregnant women who took Topamax were found to be at a higher risk of having a baby with a cleft lip or cleft palate. This warning prompted the FDA to change Topamax’s classification from Pregnancy Category C to Category D, indicating that there is clear evidence of the risk of birth defects to human fetuses.
Along with cleft lip and cleft palate, women who take Topamax during pregnancy also face a higher likelihood of giving birth to a child with:
- Heart defects
- Limb malformations
- Craniofacial defects
- PPHN
Depakote and Birth Defects
Depakote is another anti-seizure medication that has been linked to birth defects. Although the details about Depakote were not specifically discussed in Blog 1, it is important to note that this drug, like Topamax and SSRIs, has been associated with birth defects such as cardiac defects and cleft lip and palate. It is crucial for pregnant women to be aware of these risks when taking medications like Depakote.
Contact Peterson & Associates, P.C.
If your child was born with a birth defect and you believe it may be linked to a prescription drug like Topamax, Depakote, or an SSRI, you may be entitled to legal compensation. Peterson & Associates, P.C. offers a FREE birth defect legal consultation to help you understand your options and the next steps in seeking justice for your child’s birth defects.