About 30 million people in the U.S. are believed to have migraines and approximately 98 percent take medications. Topamax is one of the migraine medications found in the market. This is not used as a relief for migraine, rather it is used to prevent the onset of attacks. Like most medications, it has also side effects that includes the development of oral clefts when used if pregnant. It was also reclassified from Category C to D by the FDA as well-observed studies established positive fetal risk basing on the adverse reaction data. Another side effect is that use of
Topamax results to unintended weight loss, but that will be discussed in another post.
What are the Reported Congenital Defects?
Oral Clefts (Cleft lip and Cleft Palate)
As previously indicated, Topamax has been associated with the developments of clefts such as cleft lip and cleft palate. Cleft lip is described as the inability of the upper lip to fully fuse and it is commonly referred to as harelip. While cleft palate is when the palate wasnt able to close upon birth. These defects are considered serious and may affect the childs growth if medical and surgical attention is delayed. These defects can probably lead to various complications like ear infections, problems with speech and hearing loss as well as with the infants nutritional intake. These craniofacial anomalies can be repaired with surgeries; cheiloplasty (for cleft lip) and palatoplasty (for cleft palate). Generally, the surgery has an effect on the childs speech abilities and the family must closely work with a speech therapist for it to be managed.
Hypospadias
Aside from craniofacial anomalies, hypospadias, a urinary tract disorder is also linked with the use of Topamax. Hypospadias is a condition where the meatus, or opening of the penis, is located beneath the surface of the shaft instead of being at the tip or glans. The degree of this condition may be minimal in which the opening is located near the tip or severe, in which it can be found on the midshaft or somewhere near the scrotal area. Statistics show that 1 of every 300 babies is born with hypospadias and causes can be genetic or multifactorial. Though this is common in male infants, the condition has been closely associated with Topamax use by women at the time of pregnancy. A study showed that male babies born to women who took the medication during pregnancy may be more than four times as likely to suffer from the condition. However, this condition can be surgically repaired and prognosis is usually good.
A mothers wish is for her child to be well and healthy all the time. The Topamax side effects referred above are considered serious because they have an effect on the babys well-being and normal development, and women are strongly encouraged to be careful when taking medications as they will have an effect not just on them but on their babys health as well.
