Seizure Drug Birth Defects

Anticonvulsant drugs – originally designed to treat epilepsy – are now commonly used in the treatment of a variety of other conditions including mood disorders, migraine headaches, and severe nerve pain. In fact, anticonvulsant drugs (or seizure drugs) are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the United States. However, seizure drugs carry certain risks, especially for women of childbearing age.

Research has consistently shown that anticonvulsant medications significantly increase the risk of seizure drug-related birth defects and other developmental disorders. Women who take anticonvulsants during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, are twice as likely as other women to have a baby with a major seizure drug birth defect.

Common Seizure Drug Birth Defects

There are a number of major birth defects associated with seizure drugs. Common seizure drug birth defects include:

Heart defects
Defects of the skeletal system
Cleft lip and cleft palate
Urogenital and neural tube defects (including spina bifida)

Seizure drugs are also known to cause neurological, intellectual, and behavioral delays, although these may not become evident for several years after birth.

Seizure Drugs

Currently, there are more than 20 seizure drugs on the market. Some have been available for decades while others have been developed more recently. All seizure drugs carry birth defect risks, but some more so than others. The following anticonvulsant medications are just some of the seizure drugs that can cause birth defects:

Valproate – known to cause a particularly high increased risk of birth defects
Carbamazepine
Lamotrigine
Phenytoin
Topiramate
Gabapentin
Depakote
Tegretol
Phenobarbitol

Tens of millions of prescriptions are written annually for these and similar anticonvulsant drugs. Unfortunately, epileptic women who are pregnant or who are considering childbirth face a unique dilemma since seizures during pregnancy also pose certain risks to the fetus. Women with epilepsy should consult with their doctor prior to getting pregnant to weigh the risks and benefits associated with taking seizure drugs during pregnancy, and to learn about helpful ways to prevent birth defects in their child.

Did a Seizure Drug Cause Your Child's Birth Defect?

If your baby was born with a seizure drug birth defect, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses and suffering. Please contact us today for a FREE consultation with a knowledgeable birth defect attorney who can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal rights.

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Seizure Drug Birth Defects

Common Seizure Drug Birth Defects

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Did a Seizure Drug Cause Your Child's Birth Defect?

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