A Lyrica lawsuit may be an option for women who gave birth to children with birth defects after taking the anti-epileptic medication. A study suggests that Lyrica taken during the first trimester of pregnancy may increase the risk of birth defects including heart defects and problems with the nervous system. Affected families may be eligible to pursue claims for compensation with the help of bad drug attorneys.
For more information, contact Attorney Group 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 bad drugs attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Lyrica?
Lyrica is the brand name for the drug pregabalin. Made and sold by U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, the prescription medication is used to treat nerve and muscle pain including neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, and partial onset seizures. It is also the first drug approved for treating fibromyalgia. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lyrica in December 2004.
Lyrica and Birth Defects
According to webmd.com, a study suggests that Lyrica may increase the risk for birth defects during the first trimester of pregnancy. Researchers found that among women taking the medication during their first trimester, six percent had infants with major birth defects compared to women who we not taking the drug, two percent had a baby with a major birth defect. The birth defects linked to Lyrica included heart defects and problems with the central nervous system or other organs. The researchers state that the findings of the study should be investigated further and are a warning that there might be a problem with Lyrica.
The FDA warning label for Lyrica does not specifically warn pregnant women not to take the drug. But it does caution them to consult with a doctor if they are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Lyrica has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed increased incidences of fetal structural abnormalities and other manifestations of developmental toxicity including lethality, growth retardation, and both nervous and reproduction system functional impairment. Animal studies have reported that Lyrica crosses the placenta and have shown an increased risk in male-mediated teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Lyrica should only be given during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk, the researchers noted.
How a Lyrica 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.
The parents of children who were born with birth defects linked to Lyrica may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Pain and Suffering
- Scarring or physical deformities caused by the birth defect or treatment
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.
If the conduct of a drug company in manufacturing and selling drug is found to be highly reckless, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the company and deter similar conduct in the future.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group. 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.
