Topamax-Exposed Pregnancy: What Are The Risks?
It was not long ago when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new data gathered regarding the risk for birth defects in children born to mothers taking Topamax. Topamax, also known by its standard name topiramate, is getting a rise to popularity, but not in a good way as more reports about the drug’s adverse effects are brought by its users. Consequently, Topmamax owner Ortho-McNeil suggested Topamax dosages to diminish the associated hazards of taking the drug.
Topamax has earned the authorization of the FDA to treat epilepsy and to prevent migraine. It can be given to children at least 2 years old and also to adults. But because of new findings which reveal that Topamax causes higher incidence of birth defects, this drug should only be administer to pregnant women if benefits ultimately outweighs the danger the drug entails.
Data presented by the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry suggest that babies exposed to Topamax therapy during pregnancy have 20% higher chances of sustaining oral congenital anomalies-cleft lip and/or cleft palate. A cleft is the non-fusion of the body’s natural structures the form before birth. In this case, a cleft lip is the splitting of the upper lip and a cleft palate the roof of the mouth (palate).
Research of Topamax in pregnant women also suggests other birth defects, particularly hypospadias. Hypospadias is a congenital anomaly in boys in which the opening of the urethra is on the underside, rather than at the end, of the penis. Nevertheless, Topamax was taken along with other anti-epileptic drug (which may have caused the birth defect.)
Both congenital malformation can be treated surgically even at the young age of the child. Oral clefts, for instance, are usually repaired when the child is approximately 3 months old since the procedure tremendously changes the child’s future development and ability to thrive. Also, hypospadias is repaired by most physicians when the child is aged 4-18 months, trending towards earlier intervention and preventing more complications.
Topamax treatment may entail some danger because of the Topamax side effects it carries along. So, see to it that you have conveyed enough detail of your health history to your physician should you go through Topamax therapy. Additionally, a pregnancy exposed to Topamax which resulted in giving birth to a child with congenital anomaly, may have a firm basis for charging a Topamax birth defect lawsuit.