http://www.topamaxbirthdefectlaw.com/ With the birth defects linked to Topamax, the brand name of Topiramate, increasing, patients are warned of abruptly stopping the antiepileptic medication as they are liable to suffer from Topamax withdrawal side effects. Treating pregnant women with Topamax, which has been the drug of choice in effectively reducing the frequency and intensity of epileptic seizures and migraines, could cause them their babies’ health.

1. More Birth Defects Link to Topamax, Studies Say As Published on Topamax Side Effects Website

2. With the birth defects linked to Topamax, the brand name of Topiramate, increasing, patients are warned of abruptly stopping the antiepileptic medication as they are liable to suffer from Topamax withdrawal side effects. Treating pregnant women with Topamax, which has been the drug of choice in effectively reducing the frequency and intensity of epileptic seizures and migraines, could cause them their babies’ health.

3. Recent studies revealed that pregnant women who are undergoing the Topamax treatment may be putting their babies at high risk of developing major birth defects. Compared to infants who are exposed to other antiepileptic drugs, infants exposed to Topamax during the first trimester of pregnancy have twice the risk of developing cleft lip and cleft palate based on the data from the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry.

4. Infants exposed to Topamax are 11 times more likely to develop cleft lip or cleft palate, and 14 times more likely to develop genital defects like hypospadias, compared to the general population, stated another study published on the Journal Neurology in 2008. Hypospadias is a genital birth defect among male infants characterized by having their urethras misplaced. In infants with Hypospadias, their urethra is located on the underside of the penis instead of at the end of the penis.

5. Since its approval in 1996 as a treatment for epilepsy, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reclassified Topamax from Pregnant Category C to D. Positive human evidence that Topamax has the potential to cause significant harm to a fetus when taken during pregnancy is meant by the new classification.

6. In 2004, the FDA added an indication for the antiepileptic drug to be used for the prevention of migraine headaches aside from being an epilepsy treatment. In view of these serious malformations that may affect their newborns, the FDA recommended for all women of childbearing age to consider alternative medications that have a lower risk of birth defects than Topamax.

7. Pregnant women or those still planning to get pregnant should also consult their doctors first before deciding to stop the medication because they could suffer withdrawal symptoms. The benefits of getting treated with Topamax should outweigh the dangers it poses to an infant because of the seriousness of the Topamax side effects, and that is what both patient and doctor should keep in mind.