The number of Zofran birth defect lawsuits has increased as more and more families are finding that the anti-nausea medication carries an unwarned risk of birth defects. The Zofran birth defect lawsuits claim that the drug manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, failed to warn against serious birth defects and are seeking financial damages accordingly.

Many women across the country have been prescribed the strong anti-nausea medication as a treatment for morning sickness, a common side effect of pregnancy. However, Zofran is only approved to treat the most severe kinds of nausea, such as that experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Despite the fact that Zofran has not been approved to treat morning sickness, even severe cases, the drug manufacturer has allegedly marketed their medication as a morning sickness treatment.

As a result, some infants may have been born with Zofran birth defects, as evidenced by several Zofran birth defect lawsuits that have been filed all across the country, naming various birth defects as potential Zofran side effects. The number-one birth defect mentioned in Zofran birth defect lawsuits is congenital heart defects. Many heart defects require surgery throughout the infant’s lifetime and limit their lifestyle.

One Zofran birth defect lawsuit filed after a child was born with a heart defect states, “There is no known genetic cause for [the child’s] condition…[the child] has no family history of any of the conditions from which she suffers. In addition, [the child] has a younger brother who was born healthy and vibrant after [the mother] carried him for a full-term pregnancy during which she did not ingest any Zofran.”

Zofran birth defect lawsuits are seeking compensation for the damages caused by the anti-nausea medication. Settlements may help families pay for present and future medical bills, any special education required, and loss of future earnings.

Zofran Birth Defects

Already, studies have shown that when Zofran is used to treat morning sickness, it has the ability to cross the placenta and thus puts the fetus at risk of being born with a birth defect. One study showed that women are 2.37 times more likely to give birth to a child with a birth defect if they use Zofran.

Even though multiple Zofran birth defect lawsuits have already been filed, the drug is still being prescribed to pregnant women to treat morning sickness.

Zofran birth defects may include:

• Cleft lip and cleft palate (2.4-fold increased risk)
• Heart defects (doubled risk)
• Kidney defects
• Musculoskeletal defects
• Poor fetal growth
• Fetal death (Note: the baby’s death must have been related to a birth defect to be eligible)

If you or a loved one has suffered a Zofran-induced birth defect, there is help available.