Zofran Lawsuits Cite Twofold Increase In Cleft Palate Defects For Infants Exposed To Drug

December 15, 2015 – – ZofranLegal.com reports on findings from several studies which link Zofran anti-nausea medication to the development of certain birth defects in babies when these babies are exposed to the drug through their mothers while developing in utero. Zofran is an anti-nausea medication which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat individuals suffering from nausea and vomiting episodes after undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and anesthesia. After this approval, however, Zofran manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline marketed the drug as a morning sickness treatment regardless of the fact that it had never been tested for safety on pregnant women or FDA-approved for this use.

Zofran is now the subject of an ever-increasing number of lawsuits which commonly allege when pregnant women take the drug, they are putting their developing babies at increased risk for the development of severe congenital defects. Defects most commonly alleged in Zofran lawsuits include cleft lip and palate, kidney defects, clubfoot, respiratory distress, atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect, transposition of the greater vessels, and tetralogy of fallot. Some of these defects have proven fatal according to court documents, while others have required multiple corrective surgeries.

Several studies seem to support these allegations as well. A 2012 study highlighted a twofold increase in the risk of cleft palate for children exposed to zofran while developing in the womb. Another study, published in 2014, found that Zofran was linked to a 30% overall increased risk for congenital malformations in developing fetuses. Plaintiffs allege that in addition to these studies, GlaxoSmithKline received up to 200 reports of babies being born with severe defects after their mothers used Zofran during the first trimester. Coincidentally, the first trimester is a time when much fetal limb, mouth, and heart tissue is formed.

Zofran lawsuits have been consolidated to form multidistrict litigation number 2657 by the JPML. These cases are being overseen by Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV in Boston, Massachusetts and recent numbers have indicated they are approaching 200. This consolidation is done to allow a faster, more efficient litigation process, avoiding duplicate discovery and different rulings from multiple judges. It also conserves resources for everyone involved.

As these cases await trial preparations, the attorneys at Monheit Law are working to ensure that everyone who used Zofran while pregnant and subsequently gave birth to a child with defects will have the opportunity to evaluate their legal rights. These families and children may be entitled to significant compensation. Monheit Law is offering free legal consultations for those affected.

To ask questions or request additional information on Zofran lawsuits, please contact Michael Monheit, Esq., lead attorney at Monheit Law by calling (877) 620-8411.

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Contact ZofranLegal.com:

Michael Monheit
1-877-620-8411
michael@monheit.com
1368 Barrowdale Road, Rydal, PA 19046

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