Topamax (Generic: topiramate) is used alone or with other medications to treat certain types of seizures in people who have epilepsy. Topiramate is used to control seizures in people who have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a disorder that causes seizures and developmental delays). Topamax (Generic: topiramate) is used to treat patients who continue to have seizures even when they take other anti-seizure medications. Topamax (Generic: topiramate) is also used to prevent migraine headaches. Topamax (Generic: topiramate) is in a class of medications called anticonvulsants. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
The US FDA Research issued an FDA Warning on March 4, 2011 citing the possibility of serious side effect birth defects linked Topamax use by pregnant women, including the increased risk of congenital birth defects such as cleft palate and cleft lip:
New data suggest that the drug Topamax (topiramate) and its generic versions increase the risk for the birth defects cleft lip and cleft palate in babies born to women who use the medication during pregnancy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said today.
Although no official Topamax FDA Recall has currently been issued by the FDA, the link between Topamax (Generic: topiramate) and the potential for congenital cranio-facial and oral cleft birth defects has many medical professionals concerned that pregnant women should not be prescribed the medication.
Women who are taking anti-seizure medications, including Topamax (Generic: topiramate) — and are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant should speak with their doctor about the risks associated with taking Topamax or any other anti-seizure medications while pregnant.
There are great differences between an individual Topamax (topiramate) cleft palate lawsuit and a Topamax (topiramate) class action lawsuit.
In most instances, Topamax (topiramate) cleft palate lawsuits involving severe birth injury are better served by the filing of individual Topamax (topiramate) cleft palate lawsuits. In individual Topamax (topiramate) cleft palate lawsuits, a plaintiff’s case is filed and argued individually and on its own merit.
In a Topamax (topiramate) cleft palate class action lawsuit, a group of victims would typically be joined together to form a “class”, which would collectively bring a class action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical LLC, the makers of Topamax. All potential Topamax (topiramate) cleft palate plaintiffs would be grouped into a single Topamax (topiramate) cleft palate class action lawsuit, regardless of the severity of cranio-facial and oral cleft injuries. Topamax victims in a Topamax (topiramate) cleft palate class action lawsuit would then only share any resulting settlements or awards from the Topamax (topiramate) cleft palate class action lawsuit.
IOn the other hand, individual Topamax (topiramate) cleft palate lawsuits allow each Topamax (topiramate) cleft palate plaintiff to have their own individual case considered on an singular basis when damages, awards and settlement figures are considered. In individual Topamax lawsuits awards or settelments are based on an individual victim’s personal cleft palate injuries and future needs, and not as part of any grouped class action lawsuit.
If you took Topamax (topiramate) or any other anti-seizure drug during pregnancy and your child was born with a cleft palate, cleft lip or any other congenital cranio-facial birth defect, please contact a Topamax Litigation Attorney at our law firm immediately. While it may be too late to recover from all of the devastating effects of Topamax, an experienced products liability pharmaceutical lawsuit lawyer at the Willis Law Firm can assist you in any legal action against Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical LLC, the makers of Topamax. You are not alone. Join other Topamax cleft palate and cleft lip birth defect victims and their families in speaking up and fighting for your legal rights.
Please fill out our free online legal evaluation form and we will contact you within 24 hours. Please keep in mind that certain states have statutes of limitation that limit the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit or seek legal action. Contact our law firm immediately so that we may explain the rights and options available to you and your family.
Common Misspellings:
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