Zofran for Pregnant Women Linked to Birth Defects

Jul 28,2016

More than 200 lawsuits against the anti-nausea drug Zofran have been consolidated in the US District Court for Massachusetts. The complaints come from parents of children born with birth defects whose mothers used the drug, also known as Ondansetron, for nausea relief during pregnancy. Zofran manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline is accused of encouraging doctors to prescribe the drug to pregnant women, even though the FDA never approved it for such use.

Although it still hasn’t been tested or approved for use during pregnancy, Zofran is prescribed to 1 million expectant mothers each year. The drug was approved by the FDA to relieve nausea in individuals who had undergone anesthesia, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

A 2012 study found that Zofran was linked to a twofold increase in risk for cleft palate defects for babies of women who took the medication during pregnancy, and a 2014 study found that it increased the risk for congenital malformations by 30%.

In one of the cases against the company, a woman who took Zofran for morning sickness gave birth to a child with three congenital defects, including a hole in her heart. After undergoing open-heart surgery and progressing well, the child began struggling with vomiting and was prescribed Zofran at around six months old. After being administered one dose of the drug, the child passed away.

“It seems clear that this drug is not safe for pregnant women and their babies, and the manufacturer should be held accountable for marketing it to doctors for this type of use,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you’ve been injured by a drug and want to discuss your legal options, contact us for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer today. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.