Any time a pregnant woman has a condition which requires treatment with prescription drugs, it is necessary to weigh the benefit of those drugs against any possible risks the treatments may pose to her or to her unborn child. One such condition is epilepsy, which causes seizures that could harm both mother and child.

However, a number of epilepsy drugs have been associated with a heightened risk of congenital birth defects when used by a pregnant woman. One such drug is Neurontin, which has been linked to serious and potentially fatal Neurontin birth defects and developmental defects when used during pregnancy.

What is Neurontin?

Neurontin (also known generically as gabapentin) is an epilepsy medication used to prevent and control seizures. It may also be prescribed to relieve nerve pain associated with shingles, peripheral neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, sciatic pain, and multiple sclerosis. Neurontin is manufactured by Pfizer Inc. and is classified as an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug.

Neurontin and Pregnancy Risks

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has assigned Neurontin to pregnancy category C, meaning that animal studies have found adverse fetal reactions to the drug. According to the federal agency, pregnancy C category drugs should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

This puts pregnant women who suffer from epilepsy or chronic pain in a difficult position: stop taking and risk harming the baby during an epileptic seizure, or take the drug and risk injuring the child by exposing them to a potentially harmful drug in the womb.

Neurontin Birth Defects

Neurontin is a newer generation anti seizure medication, and is considered to be safer for use during pregnancy than older anticonvulsants like Dilantin. However, birth defects studies involving the effects on fetal development with newer anticonvulsants is limited, leaving experts divided as to the safety of Neurontin and other similar drugs. Neurontin birth defects include (but are not limited to):

• Heart defects
• Cleft lip
• Cleft palate
• Craniosynostosis
• Bone malformations
• Hydroureter
• Hydronephrosis
• Hypospadias
• Hypoplasia of the mid-face and fingers
• Polydactyly
• Spina bifida
• Growth retardation
• Gastrointestinal defects
• Nervous system defects
• Reproductive system defects

Neurontin Birth Defects Lawsuits

Babies born to mothers who took Neurontin during pregnancy have allegedly been born with cleft lip, cleft palate, heart problems, gastrointestinal malformations, and other birth defects. In recent years, multiple women and families have filed birth defects lawsuits in pursuit of compensation for expenses and suffering caused by birth defects born to babies whose mothers who were prescribed anti seizure medication.

If your child was born with a serious physical or developmental birth defect after you used Neurontin during pregnancy, you may be eligible to file a Neurontin birth defects lawsuit. You could be entitled to compensation for your damages and your child’s suffering.