Topamax Birth Defects

Recently the FDA notified the medical community and public citizens that the drug Topamax carries an increased risk of causing cleft lip and/or cleft palate in babies whose mother's took it during the first trimester of pregnancy.  Topamax is approved as a drug to treat seizures and migraine headaches.  In fact, women taking Topamax during the first trimester were found to be 21 times more likely to have their child born with a cleft lip and/or palate than women who were not taking the drug in data from the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry.  Data from a database in the United Kingdom shows similar results.

The FDA now recommends that women of childbearing age find different treatment options for seizures and migraines.  Otherwise, the FDA says women using Topamax should also use effective birth control.  We are investigating cases involving this drug.  Please contact us if you were using Topamax during your first trimester of pregnancy and your child was born with a cleft lip and/or a cleft palate.