Treating multiple sclerosis pain during pregnancy can be a challenge, especially when doctors advise against taking medication during the sensitive first trimester.

The anti-seizure medication Neurontin (or gabapentin) is sometimes prescribed to treat chronic nerve pain associated with multiple sclerosis lesions. While an effective MS pain treatment, it is also linked to several dangerous birth defects according to recent studies.

Researchers found that women taking an anti-seizure drugs like Neurontin while pregnant increased their chances of having a child born with various birth defects including cleft palates, heart defects, and spina bifida.

Birth defect lawyers are currently investigating these reports in addition to claims that the drug’s warning label failed to adequately warn pregnant MS patients of the potential risks of Neurontin birth defects.

Neurontin Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis occurs when your immune system attacks the protective layer that surrounds nerve fibers which then causes damaging scar tissue to form. When nerve fibers are damaged, the brain cannot communicate with the nerves to help an individual move and function normally.

Some of the early symptoms of MS include blurred vision, numbness or tingling in the face, body or extremities, and loss of balance.

Physicians choose a variety of methods to help manage the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and may prescribe medications like Neurontin or gabapentin. Neurontin MS is used to treat the chronic pain caused by MS lesions and spasticity.

Multiple sclerosis affects more than 2 million people across the world.

Treating MS During Pregnancy

MS is commonly diagnosed during childbearing years and often leads MS patients to have discussions with their physicians about the effects of pregnancy on their condition.

According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, before 1950 the common belief was that pregnancy might make MS symptoms worsen; as a result, women were often encouraged to avoid getting pregnant.

Recent studies, however, have suggested that the opposite is actually true, and that pregnancy lowers the number of MS relapses in women especially in the later stages of pregnancy. Medication may be adjusted for MS patients if they plan on becoming pregnant.

Some women who were prescribed Neurontin or gabapentin to use during pregnancy allege they were unaware that the drug is considered an FDA pregnancy C category.

Pregnancy C category means that on animal reproduction studies the drug was shown to have a negative effect on the fetus but it has not been adequately studied on humans.

Women joining Neurontin birth defect lawsuits claim that had they been sufficiently warned of the birth defect risks of taking Neurontin for mulitple sclerosis pain management during pregnancy, they never would have used it.

Neurontin Birth Defects

Some of the reported birth defects associated with taking Neurontin during pregnancy include:

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

Women who feel they were not warned by the drug manufacturer of the potential risks of Neurontin birth defects may have a legal claim for compensation.

Often times a birth defect lawsuit is the only way to be compensated for the medical costs and pain and suffering related to taking Neurontin while pregnant. If you took Neurontin while pregnant and had a child born with a birth defect, you may have a legal claim.