An Alabama Zofran lawsuit may be an option for mothers who took the drug for morning sickness and their babies were born with birth defects. Studies have linked the use of the anti-nausea drug Zofran by women during pregnancy to birth defects, including heart defects, cleft lip, cleft palate, and other conditions. Affected patients and their families may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue damages with the help of a Alabama Zofran lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Alabama today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated Alabama Zofran lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Zofran?
According to MedlinePlus, ondansetron, which is the generic name for Zofran, is a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist made in both tablet and liquid form. The medication inhibits serotonin in order to prevent vomiting and queasiness. The medication is approved for use by cancer patients in radiation therapy or chemotherapy, as well as individuals undergoing surgery. However, many doctors are prescribing it off-label for their pregnant patients who are struggling with severe symptoms.
Zofran Side Effects
MedicineNet.com explains that reported side effects of ondansetron include difficulty with emptying the bowels, lack of energy and headaches. Some people may also experience feelings of faintness or visual disorientation. While it was reported that a majority of patients who take Zofran do not suffer the medication’s most severe side effects, it is recommended that they inform their physician if they experience any of these physical effects:
- Blurred or loss of vision
- Chest pains
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Stiffness or spasms in the muscles
- Allergic reactions, such as itching, problems with breathing and rash
- Heart palpitations
- Loss of consciousness
The above side effects are only those that have been reported. Patients should pay close attention to their bodies to determine whether they could be suffering from an undiscovered side effect of Zofran.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued a safety warning concerning the possibility that a dose of ondansetron could disrupt the natural rhythm of the heart by altering the organ’s activity. The findings resulted in a change to the medicine’s label as well as its suggested dosage.
Zofran Birth Defect Risks
LiveScience points out that a recent study indicated a connection between the use of Zofran and birth defects, especially in the first trimester. The study looked at the use of the drug for severe vomiting and nausea in pregnant women and involved over 10,000 women – almost half of which fell into the severe morning sickness category. When the results were examined, it was found that there was a “twofold risk of birth defects” in women who took the drug during the first trimester.
Zofran Lawsuit Claims
An Alabama Zofran lawsuit attorney notes that Zofran’s manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, is embroiled in a class-action lawsuit involving mothers who took the drug and delivered babies with birth defects. Plaintiffs allege the medication was not properly labeled to alert pregnant women that their unborn children could develop birth defects as a result of taking Zofran. Depending on the country in which the patient lives, the label might state that it is unknown whether Zofran is safe for expectant mothers.
There are also allegations that further studies into the full range of side effects associated with the pharmaceutical were not conducted. These claims are based on the grounds that tests revealed birth deaths and defects in the offspring of test animals. Court documents allege that had additional testing continued, the drug manufacturer would have most likely lost profits.
GlaxoSmithKline states that the labels for ondansetron were worded specifically according to Canadian and U.S. government regulations, and that the medication is not “recommended for” women who are expecting. Besides the most current lawsuit, the pharmaceutical company paid an excess of $1 billion dollars in 2012 as part of a legal settlement involving allegations of the off-label marketing of medications, including Zofran.
How an Alabama Zofran Lawsuit Can Help
Drug makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their products, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a drug maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured by bad drugs may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those who have died may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Alabama. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
