Lawsuit: Zofran Marketed to Pregnant Women Despite Birth Defect Risks

Zofran lawsuit attorneys note a complaint filed against GlaxoSmithKline alleging that the drug maker marketed its anti-nausea drug to pregnant women despite evidence linking the drug to birth defects. Two women who took the drug while pregnant claim in their lawsuit that the company actively promoted Zofran for use during pregnancy even though the company was aware that the anti-nausea drug was potentially unsafe for pregnant women.

If you or a loved one took Zofran while pregnant and delivered a child with birth defects, contact Attorney Group for more information about your options. We offer free, confidential, no obligation consultations, and if you decide to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated Zofran lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.

Important: The time you have to pursue a claim is limited. Contact us for more information.

Claim: Drug Maker Disregarded Birth Defect Risk

Zofran is approved for use in cancer patients to treat the nausea and vomiting often caused by chemotherapy. The Zofran lawsuit alleges that the two women who took the drug while pregnant and subsequently delivered children with birth defects. The women claim that GlaxoSmithKline knew the risks of birth defects for children whose mothers took Zofran during pregnancy but continued to market the drug despite these risks. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that:

  • GlaxoSmithKline had evidence that Zofran use in pregnant women posed a risk of birth defects as far back as the 1980s. At that time, animal studies showed evidence of “toxicity, intrauterine deaths and malformations in offspring” due to Zofran use.
  • Subsequent studies showed that Zofran crossed the human placenta barrier, exposing fetuses to the drug. GlaxoSmithKline did not disclose this information to physicians or pregnant women.
  • By 2000 GlaxoSmithKline had received more than 200 reports of birth defects in children whose mothers took Zofran while pregnant.
  • Despite the studies and reports, the drug was still marketed for “off label” use of combating pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.

People Injured by Bad Drugs May be Entitled to Compensation

Like all product manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies have a duty to provide drugs that are reasonably safe and free of defects. If a drug poses a risk of injury, the drug maker must disclose that risk so that patients are able to make an informed decision before taking the medication.

When a drug maker breaches this duty, and a drug causes harm to the child of a mother who took the drug while pregnant, the parents of the children may be eligible to pursue compensation on behalf of their child. Recoverable damages can include:

  • Medical expenses incurred by the child
  • The child’s pain and suffering
  • Any permanent disability of the child
  • Scarring and disfigurement to the child

If a bad drug causes death, surviving family members can seek compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one, including:

  • Funeral expenses
  • Mental anguish caused by the death of a loved one
  • Loss of companionship

Contact Us For More Information

If you or a loved one took Zofran and has a child with birth defects, contact Attorney Group for more information. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.

When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or 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 for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.

See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, and contact Attorney Group today.

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