In the recent past, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publicly stated that Topamax increases risks of birth defects when taken by moms during pregnancy. 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 drugs adverse effects are brought by its users. In line with this, Topamax maker
Ortho-Mc Neil proposed Topamax dosages to reduce the risk of any adversities.
Topamax is an FDA-approved medication to ameliorate epilepsy as well as thwart events of migraine. It can be given to children at least 2 years old and also to adults. But due to recent studies pointing out the significant risk of birth defects imposed by Topamax, this drug should only be taken by pregnant women only if benefits completely override the dangers involved.
According to the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy registry, Topamax therapy, when taken during early pregnancy, is putting the unborn babies to a 21% higher risk of oral birth defects (cleft lip and/or cleft palate.) A cleft is a fissure or a gap causing the malformation of bodys natural makeup. Here, cleft ip is the non-union of the upper lip while cleft is the non-union of the roof of the mouth.
Research of Topamax in pregnant women also suggests other birth defects, particularly hypospadias. Hypospadias is a congenital malformation in which the meatus, the opening of the urethra, opens anywhere on the underside of the penis. However, there were other anti-seizure drugs taken with Topamax which might have caused the problem.
Both congenital malformation can be treated surgically even at the young age of the child. Surgical procedure for oral clefts can be performed even when the child is 3 months old and this treatment is crucial for the childs 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. Moreover, a woman giving birth to a child with birth defect caused by the drug may have a solid basis for filing a Topamax birth defect lawsuit.
