Zofran is an anti-nausea medication approved for use in cancer patients and those undergoing surgery. It has also been prescribed to many pregnant women to combat morning sickness, despite being unapproved for this use.
There is a lack of data available to indicate whether Zofran is safe for pregnant women to take. In fact, the available body of evidence indicates the opposite may be true. If your child suffered birth defects after you took Zofran, reach out to a defective drug attorney today. The skilled Zofran injury lawyers at our firm could help your family seek justice.
Is Zofran Responsible For Your Baby’s Birth Defect?
Studies have linked ondansetron, the generic name for Zofran, to an increased risk of numerous birth defects when the drug is taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. Other reports have linked the drug to fetal growth problems and death.
The attorneys at Childers, Schlueter & Smith are committed to taking on companies that sell drugs that harm people – especially innocent, unborn babies. Why weren’t expecting mothers told of this risk?
If you took Zofran during pregnancy and your child was born with a birth defect, you should speak with an attorney about how to demand accountability from the drug’s maker, GlaxoSmithKline.
Study: Zofran Doubles Risk of Heart Defects
In a 2012 study, women who took Zofran during the first trimester were 2.37 times more likely to have a baby with a cleft palate than women not taking the drug. This study was conducted several reputable organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Harvard’s School of Public Health.
Researchers who examined more than 900,000 births found that taking Zofran in the first trimester was linked to twice the risk of heart defects like atrial septal defect, or ASD – a hole in the heart wall. This information was presented to the International Society of Pharmacoepidemiology in 2013. That’s not all:
- An Australian study found a 20% increased risk of a birth defect when a mother took ondansetron in the first trimester.
- A Hong Kong study found that Zofran crosses the human placenta in the first trimester of pregnancy.
In 2014, the Toronto Star conducted its own analysis of 2012 Canadian health records. Among the complications they found linked to Zofran were:
- Two fetal deaths
- Fetal growth restriction in six infants
- A musculoskeletal abnormality
- Multiple instances of heart defects and kidney malformations
One doctor suspected Zofran was the cause of a baby’s mouth deformity, jaundice, heart murmur, and two heart defects, including ASD.
Why Do You Need an Attorney?
Whether it’s a cleft palate that affects speech or a heart defect that requires one or more surgeries after birth, defects can be devastating for families. The pain is emotional – but it’s also financial.
The cost of treating some of these conditions can be staggering. Your family should not have to deal with this burden. You didn’t do anything wrong.
An attorney can file a lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline on behalf of your family and fight to get you compensated for the expenses. A lawsuit won’t change the past – but it can help pave the way to a better future for your family. It can help ensure your baby gets the best care going forward.
A lawyer can help your family get past the worst of this terrible ordeal by filing a Zofran lawsuit. Among the things Childers, Schlueter & Smith can seek compensation for:
• Surgical procedures
• Hospital stays
• Rehabilitation
• Past and future medical visits
• Pain and emotional suffering
Call a Zofran Injury Attorney to Get Legal Help For Your Baby and Family
The attorneys at Childers, Schlueter & Smith understand the tragic nature of a birth defect. We understand that you and your family might not think you need an attorney. But it may be the only way to get your family what you need to ensure the best future for your child.
If you give us a call, our Zofran injury lawyers will listen to your situation and explain what we can do to help you. Call us today for a no-obligation consultation.
