A new study shows that Zofran, a popular morning sickness and nausea medication sometimes prescribed to pregnant women, has increased the risk of severe birth defects.
Because new information is being uncovered about the dangers concerning this medication, it is important to call a Zofran birth defects lawyer if you were using this while pregnant. Knapp & Roberts can help you fight for your rights. They are experienced with birth defects cases and have helped clients nationally.
A new study shows that Zofran, a popular morning sickness and nausea medication sometimes prescribed to pregnant women, has increased the risk of severe birth defects.
Because new information is being uncovered about the dangers concerning this medication, it is important to call a Zofran birth defects lawyer if you were using this while pregnant. Knapp & Roberts can help you fight for your rights. They are experienced with birth defects cases and have helped clients nationally.
What Is Zofran?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shows that Zofran is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.
It is in a class of medications called 5-HT3 receptor antagonists and works by blocking the action of serotonin, a natural substance that may cause nausea and vomiting. Zofran is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline and is also available in its generic form, ondansetron.
Although its original intention was to be used after surgery and for cancer patients, doctors continue to prescribe it “off-label” to treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy in Arizona. The number of pregnant women prescribed Zofran has steadily increased for 50,000 prescriptions per month in 2008 to 110,000 at the end of 2013.
The Risks of Taking Zofran
There are a variety of drug side effects that have been linked back to Zofran
In August 2013, a study of 900,000 Danish women found a “two-fold increased risk of cardiac malformation with ondansetron (Zofran), leading to an overall 30 percent increased risk of major congenital malformations.”
In December 2013, Australian researchers linked the use of Zofran in the first trimester with a 20 percent increased risk of birth defects. The study was published by BioMed Research International. The team found a possible sign of kidney defects and a 6-fold increased risk of malformations described as “obstructive defects of renal pelvis and ureter.” This can result in hydronephrosis, which can cause kidney failure. Conclusions from this study were on a small sample size and were imprecise.
A study published in the December 2014 issue of American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology shows the risks of pregnant women taking Zofran and notes conflicting student that cannot rule out dangers to a fetus.
Glaxosmithkline + Zofran
Drug-maker GlaxoSmithKline pays $3 billion for illegal marketing of Zofran, and more
On July 2, 2012, the Department of Justice announced a $3 billion settlement with GSK for “unlawful promotion of certain prescription drugs, its failure to report certain safety data, and its civil liability for alleged false price reporting practices.”
It’s the largest health care fraud settlement in U.S. history and the largest payment ever by a drug company. The settlement also resolves allegations that GSK promoted certain forms of Zofran, approved only for post-operative nausea, for the treatment of morning sickness in pregnant women.
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If you or someone you know took Zofran while pregnant and their child suffered a birth defect, contact a zofran birth defects lawyer at Knapp & Roberts immediately for a free initial consultation. They work with clients who are faced with the devastating effects of personal injuries nationally.
