Prescribed to prevent nausea and vomiting that accompanies chemotherapy treatment, radiation therapy and surgery, Zofran is a commonplace drug that is used by people across the nation that is now being linked to serious birth defects in infants.
Although it has been approved for seriously ill patients, the developer has marketed the drug as a treatment for nausea in pregnant women, known as “morning sickness.” The drug was marketed to pregnant women when there had been no studies done to test the side effects and the makers failed to seek approval by the FDA.
After Zofran marketed to pregnant women, the drug ended up in the hands of these expecting women all over the United States without any knowledge that the drug was never tested on pregnant women. Outcomes included fetal deaths and birth defects. These are the possible risks when taking Zofran while pregnant.
These birth defects are being investigated, and more and more cases are being found. In June 2012, The Justice Department announced a $3 billion settlement with the makers of Zofran for illegal promotion of many of their drugs.
Of the many birth defects, ventricular septal defects are one of the most serious. This is a condition when an infant has a hole in the heart. The hole is in the wall that allows blood to flow from the left side of the heart to the right side in its lower two chambers. The hole causes the blood to pump back into the lungs instead of the body as it is supposed to. Smaller holes may not be very harmful, while larger ventricular septal defects require surgery. If your child is not eating well, gets fatigued abnormally quickly or has a fast breath, contact your doctor immediately.
In addition to the potentially serious side effects listed previously, the FDA recently noted the possibility of increased risk of “developing abnormal changes in the electrical activity of the heart, which can result in a potentially fatal abnormal heart rhythm.”
Patients prescribed Zofran, or generic versions of the drug, who have previous conditions associated with their hearts, may endure an increased risk of the development of abnormal heart rhythms. Patients suffering from congenital long QT syndrome, abnormal electrolytes, congestive heart failure or bradyarrhythmias are at an even higher risk for suffering problems as a result of Zofran use. Additionally, patients prescribed drugs already known to affect the rhythm of their heart could also experience problematic and dangerous health effects caused by Zofran use, according to the FDA.
If you or someone you know has a child with birth defects after taking Zofran while pregnant or experienced any of the dangerous side effects, contact a personal injury attorney immediately. The Carlson Law Firm is equipped with a defective drug department that can help you get compensated for your losses. Contact an office nearest you for a free consultation to see if you have a case.