Most mothers do everything possible to protect their unborn children and would never intentionally harm them. However, mothers taking the prescription medication Zofran for morning sickness may be unknowingly putting these unborn children at risk for severe birth defects. Zofran birth defects ranging from heart defects to cleft lips and cleft palates are being reported as doctors continue to write prescriptions for the medication, even though it was never approved to treat morning sickness.
What is Zofran?
Zofran is a prescription medication intended for the treatment of nausea and vomiting related to serious medical procedures such as chemotherapy, or following surgery involving the use of anesthesia.
The medication is also known by its scientific name, ondansetron. Injectable Zofran was first approved by the FDA in 1991. Oral forms of Zofran became available in the United States in 1995 and 1999.
Despite its lack of FDA approval for such use, Zofran has become a common treatment for nausea during pregnancy; what is commonly referred to as “morning sickness.”
Off-label promotion of Zofran for morning sickness was one focus of a government lawsuit against the drug’s manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline. GlaxoSmithKline settled the Zofran case for several billion dollars. That Zofran settlement did not resolve any individual claims for injuries.
Can I file a Zofran lawsuit for my child?
Multiple studies have linked Zofran to severe birth defects in children born to women using Zofran during the first trimester of pregnancy to treat nausea caused by morning sickness.
The birth defects associated with Zofran include heart defects such as atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect. In addition to heart defects, there is an indication that Zofran use may be linked to other birth defects, including cleft palate, cleft lip and musculoskeletal abnormalities. In June of 2014, an article in the Toronto Star highlighted many of these concerns.
Multiple Zofran birth defect lawsuits have already been filed against its manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline. An individual Zofran lawsuit could result in compensation for pain and suffering, medical costs, loss of income, emotional distress, and other damages for the children allegedly harmed by a Zofran birth defect.
Do I need a Zofran lawyer?
If you or someone you know had a child with a birth defect following the use of Zofran early in pregnancy, or was prescribed Zofran in order to treat morning sickness, please contact Lopez McHugh, LLP to discuss your legal options. A Zofran lawyer can help guide you through the complexities of a Zofran lawsuit.
Lopez McHugh lawyers offer free case evaluations. Please contact us using the form to the right, or by using any of the information found on our contact page. We are available by phone at (877) 737-8525.
