Zofran is the brand name of ondansetron, a drug that is used to treat severe nausea and vomiting. It is often prescribed to pregnant women in their first trimester, when morning sickness can be at its peak. However, recent studies have shown that this drug may cause serious side effects for the mother and the child. Those who have been injured by the drug may be entitled to compensation. The Fitzgerald Law Firm in New York can help mothers who believe they may have experienced negative side effects or whose babies may have suffered birth injuries due to this drug.
How Does Zofran Work?
Zofran is used in the form of an oral medication or through injections. The drug blocks chemicals in the body responsible for making the mother feel nauseous. Women who are given the drug are often told to take 8mg twice a day to control nausea.
Since more than half of all expectant mothers experience morning sickness, Zofran is often prescribed when other remedies do not work. Millions of expectant mothers and their babies could potentially be at risk from this drug.
Ironically, the drug was not intended to be used with pregnant women when it was first created. It was actually designed to treat those with cancer who suffer from nausea associated with chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Therefore, doctors are obligated to share with pregnant women the risks that could be associated with this drug.
What Are Zofran’s Side Effects?
The federal Food and Drug Administration has warned that Zofran can lead to potentially serious birth defects. However, many doctors are still prescribing the medication to pregnant women. This problem is especially prevalent in Canada. Although the FDA has warned about the drug, it has not issued a recall to remove it from production or sales in the United States or elsewhere.
Zofran can cause serious birth defects in infants, including:
- Changes in the musculoskeletal system. The muscles and skeleton of a developing infant can be seriously impacted by Zofran, resulting in crippling or deformity of the infant.
- Mouth deformities. One of the most common birth defects associated with this drug is deformity of the mouth, which can lead to the need for surgery or other corrective measures.
- While it is common for infants to have a minor amount of jaundice at birth, babies of mothers who use Zofran can experience excessive effects from this liver issue.
- Heart defects. The heart defects associated with Zofran can lead to long-term complications and even death for infants.
Mothers can also experience negative side effects when taking this drug, including rashes, swelling, dizziness, fainting and difficulty breathing.
If you have suffered negative effects from taking Zofran, or if you suspect your child’s birth injuries are a result of Zofran use, contact the attorneys at the Fitzgerald Law Firm today.