Prescription Drugs May Cause Birth Defects
In the early 1960’s, a morning sickness drug called Thalidomide made headlines as the death or disfigurement of thousands of babies was found to have been caused by it. Prescription drugs are powerful substances, and they can have impacts on our bodies which extend far beyond relief of the symptoms for which they were prescribed. Unfortunately, there are still situations which occur today involving babies who are born with birth defects or injuries or who die in utero because of prescription drugs.
It is estimated that in the United States, fifteen thousand birth defects each year are caused by prescription drugs. The number of pregnant women who are take at least one prescription drug during their pregnancy is higher than you might expect, at approximately seventy percent. What these women may not know is that many prescription drugs have not been proven safe for use during pregnancy, yet doctors continue to prescribe them.
Some of the medications which have been linked to birth defects include Accutane, a prescription acne treatment, Clomid, a fertility treatment, and Diflucan, an antifungal medication. Some antidepressants have also been shown to cause birth defects, including Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Celexa, and Lexapro. Certain painkillers can also be harmful, including Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, and Coedine. Topamax, Depakote, and Tegretol are anti-convulsant medications which have caused birth defects.
The FDA has assigned categories to prescription drugs based upon the likelihood that they will cause harm to a pregnant mother or her fetus. The medications listed above, which have been associated with birth defects, all fall into category C or category D, which means that they pose a significant risk. The question, then, is why are they being prescribed to pregnant women?
When a child is born with a birth defect, the parents of the child are likely to search for any possible causes of harm. If a mother was prescribed one of the prescription medications described above, or another medication which has been linked to birth defects, it is possible that the parents may be able to recover from the doctor who prescribed the medication based on a theory of medical negligence. Doctors can look at the lists of medications which the FDA has categorized and then select the safest option for an expectant mother. They can also assess whether the medication is absolutely necessary, as all unnecessary medications should be avoided during pregnancy. In addition to the doctor, the parents of a baby who is born with a birth defect which was likely to have been caused by a prescription drug may be able to file a claim against the drug manufacturer for the harm and for the associated medical costs and the physical and emotional pain and suffering.
If you were prescribed one or more prescription medications during your pregnancy and your baby was born with a birth defect, it is important that you seek the assistance of a knowledgeable Tennessee Birth Injury Attorney. The caring and compassionate Memphis Birth Injury Attorneys at Bailey & Greer, PLLC would like to learn more about your case. We can answer your questions, explain your options, and help you decide how to proceed. We can help you to pursue the recovery that you deserve so that you can focus on giving your child the care that they need. To learn more, call us at 901-680-9777 to schedule a time to discuss your case. At Bailey & Greer, PLLC, we are small enough to care, big enough to fight, and experienced enough to win.
Since graduating magna cum laude in 2005 from the University of Memphis School of Law, Thomas has helped make a difference in the lives of victims of serious personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence. Thomas has extensive trial experience in both state and federal court. Among other victories in the courtroom, Thomas obtained several impressive jury verdicts and settlements
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