Topamax Lawsuits
July 23rd, 2008 • Filed Under: Lawsuits • 11 Comments
The epilepsy and migraine drug Topamax, which is also available as generic topiramate, has been associated with an increased risk of major birth defects. Research has found higher than expected rates of babies born with cleft lips, cleft palates, genital defects and other birth malformations when the drug is used during pregnancy.
STATUS OF TOPAMAX LITIGATION: The potential for Topamax birth defect lawsuits is being reviewed for babies born with serious birth defects after the mother used the drug during pregnancy.
>>SUBMIT INFORMATION ABOUT A POTENTIAL TOPAMAX BIRTH DEFECT FOR A LAWYER TO REVIEW<<
MANUFACTURER: Topamax is manufactured by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. It was also made available in 2006 as a generic.
OVERVIEW: Topamax (generic topiramate) was first introduced as a medication to treat epilepsy, which is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, uncontrolled seizures. In 2004, the FDA approved Topamax for an additional use of treating migraines, and it has since become one of the most widely prescribed migraine medications in the United States. The drug is also often prescribed off-label to treat bipolar disorder.
TOPAMAX BIRTH DEFECT SIDE EFFECTS: In the July 22, 2008 issue of the medical journal Neurology, a small study was published which linked the use of Topamax during pregnancy to an increased risk of serious birth defects. The increased risk was seen among women taking the drug to treat epilepsy, either alone or in combination with other epilepsy drugs.
Researchers followed 203 women who used Topamax during pregnancy. Of the 178 babies born to these women, 16 were found to have major birth defects. Four of the babies were born with a cleft lip or palate, which is a rate 11 times higher than would be expected in the general population. Another four babies were found to have genital defects, which is a rate 14 times higher than would be expected in the general population.
Although the study only followed women who used Topamax to treat epilepsy, it raises substantial concerns about the use of the drug among women of childbearing age to treat migraines. Women are three times more likely to suffer from migraines than men, and the condition frequently occurs in women of childbearing age.
TOPAMAX SUICIDE RISK: Topamax is also part of a class of epilepsy drugs which have been associated with an increased risk of suicide. In July 2008, the FDA considered whether a “black box” warning, which is the strongest warning which can be placed on a prescription medication, should be added to Topamax and other epilepsy drugs about the increased risk of suicide.
In January 2008, the FDA issued an alert to healthcare providers about a review of about 200 different clinical studies involving nearly 44,000 individuals taking an epilepsy drug or placebo, which fouond that users of drugs like Topamax, Lamictal, Lyrica, Depakote and other epilepsy drugs were twice as likely to experience suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Pingback by Topamax Linked to Cleft Palate, Cleft Lip and Other Birth Defects — AboutLawsuits.com on 23 July 2008:
[...] research indicates that the use of the epilepsy and migraine drug Topamax, either on its own or in combination with other epilepsy drugs, may increase the risk of birth [...]
Comment by Arthur on 9 August 2008:
My wife had been recently taking a prescription of Topamax for her migraines. Well, she had tingling in her right arm with two numb fingers, vision impairment, short term memory loss, severe weight loss (she lost 35 lbs from an original 140), severe fatigue: constant physical malaise, OMG! Now that I am researching this after the doc has put her on something else, I am amazed at the problems this drug is associated with. This makes me mad that the drug company does not put out more significant warnings than the usual tiny print on the Walgreens sheet.
Comment by Susan on 17 August 2008:
My doctor had prescribed 800mg of Topamax beginning in 1999 for treatment of bipolar disorder and sleeping disorder. Cognitive problems were severe especially concerning language. Short term memory loss costed me my employment. I had an attack, of what was first thought to be MS, but later was proven not to be the case. I now have permanent neurological damage to the left side of my body.
If this wasn’t bad enough, I developed osteomalasia (softening of the bones) leading to a catostrophic break of all the bones in my left left with my ankle snapping off. Almost two years later I suffer from chronic pain, tendonitis and difficulty walking. This condition was determined to be caused by severe acidosis (in my case renal tubular acidosis) a condition known to be induced by Topamax in almost 26% of patients, even the the lowest dose. My citrate levels were among the lowest seen in the country. I was on the brink of renal failure and possible death. It was then a nephrologist suggested I quit taking Topamax before it killed me. No other doctor was aware of this potentially lethal side effect.
I quit Topamax and my condition improved immediately, although my kidneys have been damaged.
There is vague references to this side effect and few doctors are warned that patients should have their citrate levels monitored while on this product. A class action suit should be considered.
Comment by scott on 1 October 2008:
My aunt has been taking topomax for a while, and has lost 50lbs and is sometimes acting strange since taking the drug. My neice had a birthday party, and we asked her if she was going, she replied yes, although, she called back AFTER she went to the party and said she would not be able to come ??? whaaaa. Last week, she was in a bad car crash, and the bones in her neck were broken, and major brain swelling and she died later this week. No one knows what happened or how she drove off the rode and hit a tree. A couple days ago a women calls and request car insurance info, because she also got into a fender bender 30 minutes earlier. the owner of the inflicted car states my aunt was dazed and confused and dizzy.
the women said maybe you should relax before getting back behind the wheel. my aunt said she was fine, and drove off weaving and bobbing said the witness like a drunk. 30 minutes later she was being flown in a lifeflight copter fighting for her life. turns out she lost that fight
Comment by Art on 16 October 2008:
My wife still has not begun to regain her weight nor her strength. This has significantly prevented her from being able to return to work. And… since she was employed at a church, there is no unemployment.
Comment by Tammy on 16 October 2008:
I used to take Topamax, but I started getting blurred vision, dizziness and my hair started falling out. I quit takingi it, my eyes are better but not like they used to be. My hair is still falling out.
Comment by Gina on 24 October 2008:
Severe reaction to Topamax, not monitored by Neurologist.
Hospitalization twice. Questions regarding “Class Action Suit” I had seen noted on Web MD.
Comment by Paul on 4 November 2008:
I had a seizure during June 2007, and my neurologist prescribed 100mg of Topamax. I experience many symptoms. Some of which were immediate, and some that increased over time. They are: extended periods of numbness in my limbs, dry mouth, muscle pain, loss of appetite and rapid weight loss, increased urination, increased heart rate, confusion, severe fatigue, extreme insomnia, slowed thought process and difficulty concentrating and making decisions, slurred speech, and severe depression. I tried to explain some of these problems to my neurologist and he just waved them off as basic symptoms of the medication. Never once did he explain to me that Topamax could lead to severe difficulty with concentration, memory loss and depression. Even after the FDA announced that seizure medications can lead to severe depression and suicidal behavior during February 2008. My license was pulled immediately after the seizure, and I wanted to cooperate as much as possible to get back on the road. So I continued taking Topamax. It wasn’t until I fell into a period with extreme memory loss, insomnia and depression that I changed to a new physician, who prescribed a different seizure medication. My insomnia was so powerful that I was sent to a sleep specialist to determine if I had some form of disorder. After changing to a new medication, these symptoms gradually lessened over a period of five months. However, the damage was done. This medication had a detrimental effect on my work performance and placed a tremendous strain on my family and personal life. This medication should be taken off the market.
Comment by kim on 17 November 2008:
i do not use topamax any more but still suffer from migraines . i was taking 100mg 2x daily, stopped taking in 2004. while i was on topamax i was arrested for dui , i do not drink …experienced alot of confusion and some numbness in my hands. i still have severe numbness almost like my hands go to sleep and with severe tingling when the blood starts to flow back into hands, eye sight is bad and eyes sort of jiggle when trying to read. this has had detrimental effects on my ability to work ..i am a painter. i would very much like to see this medication taken off the market before it ruins anyone elses life. i’d like to here from others and what your doing about it i know that i took this medication of my own free will but it really has done damage in my life. i took the advice of my nuerolagist and i am paying a price for believing he knew best.
Comment by kim on 18 November 2008:
4 years later and my life is still a mess because of topamax. if you are on it please stop taking severe side effects and it could kill you! doctors don’t tell you side effects only benefits . i am a painter and have a very difficult time seeing and holding a paint brush for long periods of time withoiut pain in my hands.
Comment by Katina on 20 November 2008:
Taking topamax for migraine prevention (150 mg daily) Was walking to work and blacked out (thank God was not driving) Spent 2-1/2 days in hopsital ran all kinds of tests, no stroke no seizure. The hospital thinks it this was caused by the topamax. Now right side of face and body is numb. Can not drive so now, have to find ride to work and pick up kids. Now being weened off of topamax