DEFECTIVE DRUGS & BIRTH INJURIES

Birth Defect LawyersDoes your baby have a birth defect?

Our legal team is committed and dedicated to aggressively representing clients that have had children born with birth defects as a result of using certain prescription drugs.   Even with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulating and monitoring the use of prescription medication, pharmaceutical companies continually urge the use for unauthorized, “off label” indications.  Most times, the companies take a indifferent attitude towards the marketing of their medications as long as the “bottom line” looks good.

In addition, inadequate testing and misinformation by the companies may lead to FDA approval, only to later find out the drug was more dangerous than anticipated.  The drug manufacturers are solely concerned about corporate profits, and direct marketing to consumers has spawned blockbuster drug sales.

Our law firm is here to represent those that have been taken advantage of by pharmaceutical companies and have them take responsibility for the pain and hardships they may have caused.  This website will serve as a resource for drugs that cause birth defects when taken by pregnant women.  It will give information about the drug, its effects and links to online resources.  SSRIs, medications to treat depression and anxiety disorders, and antiseizure medications have all been associated with a much higher incidence of birth defects, resulting from use by pregnant women.

SSRI Drug DefectsIf you were prescribed anti-depressants while pregnant, you may be entitled to compensation.

But, time is running out.  The companies that manufacturer these drugs settle birth defect cases with monetary compensation.  Medical care for children victimized by these SSRIs is very high.  Don’t be left behind.  If your child has birth defects because you took one of the drugs listed on this website, you and your child may qualify for compensation.

For example:  The drug company, GlaxoSmithKline, manufacturers Paxil.  A long-term epidemiological study suggested an increase in the risk of overall major congenital malformations for Paxil (paroxetine) and Paxil CR compared to other antidepressants.  In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration requires this drug to carry a black box warning, its “most serious type of warning in prescription drug labeling.  They have already set aside over $1.14 billion dollars to settle lawsuits stemming from use of this drug.

If you feel you or a loved one has been affected by use of any of these drugs, please contact The Crim Law Firm for a free, no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable attorney who will give you options on your best course of action.  You don’t have to suffer alone; we are here to help.   Call us today toll-free at (800) 807-9360 and speak with caring professionals to see how we can help you and your child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Topomax

The Crim Law Firm is committed and dedicated to aggressively representing clients that have had children born with birth defects as a result of using certain prescription drugs.   Even with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulating and monitoring use of prescription medication, pharmaceutical companies continually approve the use for unauthorized indications.  Most times, the companies take a indifferent attitude towards the marketing of their medications as long as the “bottom line” looks good.

In addition, inadequate testing and misinformation may lead to FDA approval only to find out the drug was more dangerous than anticipated.  Health care professionals have a duty to properly inform and consult with their patients to proper treatments and medications.  They are bound to fully disclose dangers and side effects of any medications and offer alternatives if they exist.

Our law firm is here to represent those that have been taken advantage of by unscrupulous health care professionals and pharmaceutical companies and have them take responsibility for the pain and hardships they may have caused.  This website will serve as a resource for drugs that cause birth defects when taken by pregnant women.  It will give information about the drug, its effects and links to online resources.

Side Effects of Using Topamax

These are the side effects and warnings as reported on the Topamax website.  Please visit their website for more information.  The issue we are most concerned with is the possible use of the drug by pregnant women who may have not received the proper warnings, notifications and access to alternatives.  Please review these adverse side effects and reactions and contact us if you need legal assistance and guidance:

TOPAMAX® may cause eye problems. Serious eye problems include: sudden decrease in vision with or without eye pain and redness; blockage of fluid in the eye causing increased pressure in the eye (secondary angle closure glaucoma). These eye problems can lead to permanent loss of vision if not treated. You should call your healthcare professional right away if you have any new eye symptoms.

TOPAMAX® may cause decreased sweating and increased body temperature (fever). People, especially children, should be watched for signs of decreased sweating and fever, especially in hot temperatures. Some people may need to be hospitalized for this condition.

Like other antiepileptic drugs, TOPAMAX® may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people, about 1 in 500. Pay attention to any changes and call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are new, worse, or worry you: thoughts about suicide or dying, attempts to commit suicide, new or worse depression, new or worse anxiety, feeling agitated or restless, panic attacks, trouble sleeping (insomnia), new or worse irritability, acting aggressive, being angry or violent, acting on dangerous impulses, an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania), or other unusual changes in behavior or mood.

Serious risks associated with TOPAMAX® include lowered bicarbonate levels in the blood resulting in an increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis). Symptoms could include hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing), tiredness, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat, or changes in the level of alertness. Call your doctor immediately if you get these symptoms. Your doctor may want to do simple blood tests. Chronic, untreated metabolic acidosis may increase the risk for kidney stones or bone disease.

TOPAMAX® may affect how you think, and cause confusion, problems with concentration, attention, memory, or speech, depression or mood problems, tiredness, and sleepiness. Do not stop taking TOPAMAX® without first talking to your doctor. Stopping TOPAMAX® suddenly can cause serious problems.

Cleft PalateUse of Topamax during pregnancy increased chance of cleft lip or cleft palate by 20 times that of normal pregnancies

If you take TOPAMAX during pregnancy, your baby has a higher risk for birth defects called cleft lip and cleft palate. These defects can begin early in pregnancy, even before you know you are pregnant. There may be other medicines to treat your condition that have a lower chance of birth defects. All women of childbearing age should talk to their healthcare providers about using other possible treatments instead of TOPAMAX. If the decision is made to use TOPAMAX, you should use effective birth control (contraception) unless you are planning to become pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you become pregnant while taking TOPAMAX. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will continue to take TOPAMAX while you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking TOPAMAX, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy.

TOPAMAX® may cause high blood ammonia levels. High ammonia in the blood can affect your mental activities, slow your alertness, make you feel tired, or cause vomiting.

Adverse Reactions

The most common side effects of TOPAMAX® include: tingling in arms and legs, loss of appetite, nausea, taste change, diarrhea, weight loss, nervousness, and upper respiratory tract infection.

Tell your doctor about other medications that you are taking. Report any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of TOPAMAX®

If you feel you or a loved one has been affected by use of any of these drugs, please contact The Crim Law Firm for a free, no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable attorney who will give you options on your best course of action.  Call us today at (713) 807-7800 or toll-free at (800) 807-9360.