Neurontin, an antiseizure medication, has been widely used across the country to treat a number of needs. However, some women have claimed that Neurontin caused their child to be born with a birth defect and that the drug maker did not warn them about on the warning label or accompanying drug information.

Neurontin can be used to treat epilepsy seizures in addition to chronic nerve pain (such as experienced by individuals who have shingles, peripheral neuropathy, and other nerve disorders). It has also been used as an off-label antipsychotic in some cases.

In spite of the fact that Neurontin has helped many individuals manage their epileptic seizures or nerve pain, many women have taken the drug while pregnant and gave birth to a child/children with Neurontin birth defects.

According to certain birth defect lawsuits, Neurontin birth defects may include:

• Cleft palate
• Craniosynostosis (skull malformations)
• Other bone malformations
• Heart defects
• Hydroureter and/or hydronephrosis
• Hypospadias (an abnormality in the opening of the urethra in boys)
• Polydactyly (extra fingers or toes)
• Spina bifida
• Other congenital defects

These Neurontin birth defects may also be found as side effects of other antiseizure medications.

Neurontin Birth Defects Lawsuits

Parents of children born with Neurontin birth defects may choose to file a Neurontin lawsuit against the drug manufacturers. Allegations may include failure to warn, as there was inadequate information concerning Neurontin pregnancy safety.

Neurontin is in FDA pregnancy category C. This means that animal studies have been performed to examine Neurontin pregnancy side effects. Animal studies found that the antiseizure medication could cause adverse side effects, but there was no information on its effects on pregnant women.

In general, women should avoid using certain drugs, especially epilepsy medications, during the first trimester if not during the entire pregnancy in order to avoid potential side effects. However, women have claimed that they were not informed about the risks of Neurontin birth defects. Many mothers claim that if they had been informed of Neurontin side effects, they not would have used the drug in the first place.

The animal studies performed showed clear signs of Neurontin birth defects concerning bone growth and development. Additionally, one 2011 birth defects study on multiple new antiseizure medications (including Neurontin) did not find a significant increase in birth defects among humans using the newer medications. However, this does not exclude the possibility that Neurontin birth defects were present and that other researchers continue to warn mothers against the use of Neurontin during pregnancy. 

Parents whose children were born with a cleft palate, heart defects, spina bifida, or other Neurontin birth defects may file a Neurontin pregnancy lawsuit or join a Neurontin birth defects class action lawsuit investigation. Plaintiffs may win compensation for medical and health care costs in addition to the pain and suffering allegedly caused by the manufacturer’s failure to warn.