New research has shown that Zofran, which is an anti-nausea medication, can increase the risk of birth defects. It is often prescribed to pregnant women who are suffering from morning sickness. However, the risk of birth defects is not mentioned on the drug's warning label. That is why many people have filed lawsuits.
Studies Have Shown That Zofran Can Cause The Following Lawsuits:
*Heart Defects
*Kidney Defects
*Poor Fetal Growth
*Cleft Palate and Cleft Palate
*Fetal Death
Overview
Zofran was first approved in 1991. It was designed to treat vomiting and nausea in patients receiving chemotherapy or surgery. Zofran was not approved for pregnant women, but it is sometimes prescribed to treat morning sickness. It is available in the form of a liquid or tablet.
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In 2012, the company settled a lawsuit that alleged the company had promoted Zofran to pregnant women despite the fact that the drug was not approved for them. The lawsuit also alleged that GlaxoSmithKline paid doctors to prescribe the drug.
Zofran Use In Pregnant And Breastfeeding Women
Zofran has received a Pregnancy Category B Classification from The Food And Drug Administration. This means that animal studies have not proven there is a risk to the fetus. It also means that there have not been any well-controlled, adequate studies performed on pregnant women. However, new studies have shown that Zofran can cause serious harm to the fetus.
There have not been any studies done on humans to examine the effect that Zofran has on breastfeeding. However, rat studies have shown that metabolites of the drug are excreted in breast milk. That is why doctors should exercise caution when prescribing Zofran to nursing women.
Pregnancy Studies
New studies have raised questions about the safety of Zofran. It can increase birth defects when it is used during the first trimester. This is usually the time when morning sickness is the
...heir diet during their pregnancy to treat all types of ailments. It is important to rule out any side effects, drug interactions or harm if any associated during pregnancy.
...pecially with the use of DTC advertising, to such a wide range of afflictions greatly increased their consumer base, but one of them proved to be deadly. In 1999, four years after Lilly sent study results to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration showing Zyprexa didn’t alleviate dementia symptoms in older patients, it began marketing the drug to those very people, according to documents unsealed in insurer suits against the company for overpayment.(Applbaum, 248). Soon after it began to be used in those suffering from dementia, there were studies produces that showed an increase in death rate among elderly patients taking Zyprexa. In January of 2009, Eli Lilly and Company, who produced the drug, ended up settling the lawsuit and agreed to pay $1.415 billion which was one of the biggest corporate settlements in the history of pharmaceutical companies (Applbaum, 237).
Just as drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and crystal meth affect the mother, it also affects the child. Babies that are born to drug using mothers are called “drug babies” and just like their mother they become addicted to the drugs causing behavior problems during their childhood. They can also have birth defects, premature birth, and are usually underweight. Babies that are born to cocaine using mothers are called “crack babies” and they face the risk of a stroke leading to brain damage. Teratogenic medications such as some antibiotics, cancer fighting medicines, blood thinners, and acne fighting medicines such as Accutane can all cause birth
Why is caffeine dangerous during pregnancy? Caffeine is dangerous during pregnancy, because it can cause miscarriages; it stresses the immature metabolism of the fetus, and increases the blood flow in the placenta. Through this research I have witnessed that caffeine can be very dangerous. These three points are some of the main dangers of caffeine during pregnancy.
...ve physical deformities, decreased birth weight and respiratory difficulties. The drugs can also carry adverse behavioral effects, including high pitched crying, abnormal sleep patterns and decreased attention. Studies have determined that some infants can rectify these behavioral inconsistencies, but that the change is dependent upon a responsive caregiver in a nurturing environment.
Imagine being in a family that is expecting their first child. Articles in the newspaper are showing how the chances of miscarriages are increasing. As soon as anxiety starts to take over, a flip of a page in the newspaper changes everything. An article about a new drug called Diethylstilbestrol seems to be on the next page. Diethylstilbestrol, also known as DES, is a medicine that helps prevent women from having pregnancy complications including miscarriages. “This is amazing!” one may say, but do they really know the consequences of taking this new medication? Diethylstilbestrol was a huge turning point for most pregnant women in the early twentieth century; however, it had many underlying negative consequences that would later affect the mother and child with the word no one ever wants to hear; cancer.
Most women are unaware of the risks associated with taking prescription medications while pregnant. Usually the fear is that of alcohol or drug use, but there is rarely any mention of prescription medications. Prescription medicine can actually be quite harmful to a fetus during pregnancy. Over the counter and pharmacy products, as well as medications prescribed by a physician previous to the pregnancy, may not always indicate potential hazards. It is important to check with a physician whether the products are safe for the baby, as well as the mother. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration rates both over-the-counter drugs as well as medications your health care provider may prescribe. The FDA system ranks drugs as follows: Categories A through D give specific instructions on whether a specific medication is safe during pregnancy or not. The medications are distinguished by whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Category X is drugs researched and proven to cause birth defects and should never be taken during pregnancy.” (Berger, n.d.). Taking vitamins, drinking caffeine and taking other herbal supplements may...
Exposure to medications or drugs during pregnancy can result in abnormalities such as withdrawal symptom, respiratory problems, growth retardation, developmental retardation, congenital heart defects, caudal deficiency and CNS defects. Known prenatal birth defects resulting from environmental toxins such as Lead, mercury or PCB’s are miscarriage, CNS damage, spasticity, mental retardation, skin discoloration and low birth weight.
medicines to cause a miscarriage or by surgery, where the pregnancy is out of the uterus. The
There have been studies done to suggest that Dextromethorphan can potentially harm an unborn baby. It may also pass from a mother to a baby during breastfeeding.
For the duration of prenatal development, the unborn offspring may be affected by a multiplicity of teratogens, which are different factors which can have negative effects on the fetus, and can even cause birth defects. While there are countless factors that can affect an unborn child, the most commonly seen teratogens that should be avoided by a pregnant woman including alcohol, drugs, and tobacco. The intake and ingestion of alcohol during pregnancy is the cause of a disorder which is fetal alcohol syndrome. Fetal alcohol syndrome can cause a birth defect which can cause mental and physical disabilities, as well as cardiac defects in the heart for some situations. Some people believe that small amounts of alcohol in moderation can be acceptable, but there are proven facts that show no alcohol should be consumed during any time of pregnancy. Another dangerous teratogen to refrain from is the use of drugs, prescription and illegal. Many kinds of prescription drugs can influence a fetus and can cause physical and
All drugs, legal or illegal, are considered to be harmful to the fetus and should be taken with caution and under the doctor’s direct orders only. Drugs can be anything as simple as a cigarette to a major substance like heroin and cocaine. Most mothers who do drugs during their pregnancy don’t think about the detrimental effects they could be causing to their baby. Any amount of these forbidden substances can leave an everlasting effect on the precious defenseless baby. Most women know that when you are pregnant your hormones vary greatly, but when a woman is pregnant it also ...
Chambers, C. D., Polifka, J. E., & Friedman, J. M. (2008). Drug safety in pregnant women and their babies: ignorance not bliss. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 83(1), 181-183.
While pregnant a women can risk harm to their unborn child when they abuse drugs. The amount of harm would depend on the type of drug, the severity of the drug and the amount of time the drug was used while the baby was developing. Not only are any type of drugs harmful to the baby but as well as prescribed drugs. Prescription drugs can be harmful towards both the mother and the baby. Prescription Drug Abuse occurs when the mother takes the drugs without being subscribed to her or because she takes high doses than what she is supposed to take.
More pregnant woman than ever before are becoming aware of the vast amount of chemicals found in every day products and in the food supply. From pesticides and herbicides in produce, to growth hormones and antibiotics in meat and dairy products, MSG and high fruit corn syrup in most super market food, sodium lauryl sulfites and other harmful chemicals in toiletry items. Most food and products are detrimental to our health rather than beneficial as they should be. Pregnancy is a time of massive growth and development for the unborn child and the more natural the mother is throughout, the better off the baby will be. There are many things a pregnant woman can do to lessen the risk to their developing unborn baby and ensure the best start possible by having a natural pregnancy.