Studies Shows Topamax Can Cause Birth Defects in Your Unborn Child
A small study has recently published by Neurology which states that the use of Topamax to help with seizures due to epilepsy and migraines has been linked to major birth defects in children born to mothers who suffer from these diseases.
Although the study showed that using Topamax alone is within the allowed range of risk, the problem lies when Topamax is mixed with other anti-seizure medication. Even though the study was small, it did show results that birth defects occur within 4-7 percent of baby born of mothers who had been taking Topamax while pregnant. This study, however, was only done with women who were taking Topamax for epilepsy seizures and not for women who need the drug for migraine headaches.
Shlomo Shinnar, MD, PhD, of New York's Montefiore Medical Center, also made a separate study on the effects of Topamax who take the drug for migraine headaches. "The tolerance for risk is different for epilepsy patients, because uncontrolled seizures are a clear risk to the fetus," he also goes on by stating "Migraines can be quite debilitating for the mother, but they do not generally pose a risk to a fetus,” States Dr. Shinnar.
The study of Dr. Shinnar included 203 pregnant women who, at the time, were taking Topamax alone or with other anti-epilepsy drugs. 178 babies were born during the study, three babies of mothers who took Topamax and 13 babies of mothers who Topamax along with other drugs suffered major birth defects. Four of the babies had cleft palates or cleft lips, which was 11 times higher than would be expected among women not taking epilepsy medication. Four male babies had genital birth defects, with two of these classified as major birth defects.
Both studies show that about 20-35 percent of women have more seizures while pregnant. This can be attributed to the hormone levels which can change dramatically which would also affect the way Topamax is handled by the user’s body. These seizures can be linked to the fact that the hormone levels can change dramatically which would also affect the way Topamax is handled by the user’s body. Frequent check up on hormone levels in your blood while pregnant is highly advised so that dosages can be corrected accordingly.
You should know your rights for you and your child if the consumption of Topamax has caused birth defects. Most Topamax lawyers will give you more information on the drug and even give a free consultation on your legal options, so visit one today.
Although the study showed that using Topamax alone is within the allowed range of risk, the problem lies when Topamax is mixed with other anti-seizure medication. Even though the study was small, it did show results that birth defects occur within 4-7 percent of baby born of mothers who had been taking Topamax while pregnant. This study, however, was only done with women who were taking Topamax for epilepsy seizures and not for women who need the drug for migraine headaches.
Shlomo Shinnar, MD, PhD, of New York's Montefiore Medical Center, also made a separate study on the effects of Topamax who take the drug for migraine headaches. "The tolerance for risk is different for epilepsy patients, because uncontrolled seizures are a clear risk to the fetus," he also goes on by stating "Migraines can be quite debilitating for the mother, but they do not generally pose a risk to a fetus,” States Dr. Shinnar.
The study of Dr. Shinnar included 203 pregnant women who, at the time, were taking Topamax alone or with other anti-epilepsy drugs. 178 babies were born during the study, three babies of mothers who took Topamax and 13 babies of mothers who Topamax along with other drugs suffered major birth defects. Four of the babies had cleft palates or cleft lips, which was 11 times higher than would be expected among women not taking epilepsy medication. Four male babies had genital birth defects, with two of these classified as major birth defects.
Both studies show that about 20-35 percent of women have more seizures while pregnant. This can be attributed to the hormone levels which can change dramatically which would also affect the way Topamax is handled by the user’s body. These seizures can be linked to the fact that the hormone levels can change dramatically which would also affect the way Topamax is handled by the user’s body. Frequent check up on hormone levels in your blood while pregnant is highly advised so that dosages can be corrected accordingly.
You should know your rights for you and your child if the consumption of Topamax has caused birth defects. Most Topamax lawyers will give you more information on the drug and even give a free consultation on your legal options, so visit one today.
