DrugNews Announces Launch of Topamax Resource Center for Birth Defects
Dallas, TX (PRWEB) December 02, 2013 -- The DrugNews.net prescription drug safety center is announcing the launch of a new resource for patients taking the antiepileptic drug Topamax. The site will contain studies on birth defect side effects, safety alerts for patients, as well as legal news for any birth defect claims.
DrugNews is a resource site for those taking popular prescription drugs. By sharing the latest medication recalls, safety alerts, research and litigation news, patients can avoid dangerous drugs, see if others are experiencing similar side effects and decide if they need legal advice.
Topamax is an epileptic drug manufactured by Johnson & Johnson that is prescribed for epilepsy, seizures, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, bipolar disorder, migraine headaches and weight gain.
Unfortunately, experts have warned the drug may increase the risk of birth defects. The resource center has added an FDA warning that infants born to women taking Topamax during pregnancy may have a higher risk of cleft lip and/or cleft palate*.
Also, DrugNews has added a study from the United Kingdom suggesting the rate of birth defects like cleft lip and cleft palate is 11 times that of normal for children exposed to Topamax during pregnancy**.
So far, more than 130 families have filed a Topamax lawsuit alleging birth defects from the drug in a special court. The formal case is known as In re Topamax Litigation, 110602131, Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
Now, DrugNews has learned that a jury awarded one family $4 million*** and another $11 million**** in recent months in the first two trials over Topamax birth defects.
Anyone with a child affected by birth defects after taking Topamax is urged to visit DrugNews.net or speak with a lawyer about their legal options. However, due to the specialized nature of drug injury cases, DrugNews only recommends lawyers who have already handled Topamax lawsuits.
Visit http://www.DrugNews.net today for more information on the research, side effects and litigation news related to Topamax and other drugs, or to speak with a lawyer.
*FDA 3/4/11; http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm245085.htm
**Neurology, March 2008; neurology.org/content/71/4/272
***10/30/13, April Czimmer, et al. v. Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceutica, No. 1105-03459, Pa. Comm. Pls., Philadelphia Co.; lexisnexis.com/legalnewsroom/litigation/b/litigation-blog/archive/2013/10/31/4-million-awarded-in-1st-pa-trial-alleging-birth-defect-from-topamax-epilepsy-drug.aspx
****11/18/13, Gurley v. Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceutical, 110502251, Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; bloomberg.com/news/2013-11-18/j-j-s-janssen-loses-11-million-jury-verdict-over-topamax.html
Chris Schroeder, DrugNews, http://www.DrugNews.net, +1 888-987-4866, [email protected]
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