An Oregon Zofran lawsuit may be an option for mothers who had a child with birth defects after taking the medication for morning sickness. In some cases, Zofran may be prescribed off-label for morning sickness in pregnant women, however, there is a reported connection between Zofran and certain birth defects. People who have been impacted by the medication may be able to pursue a claim and recover compensation with the help of an Oregon Zofran lawsuit attorney.
monkeybusinessimages/iStock/ThinkstockFor more information, contact the Attorney Group for Oregon 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 Oregon Zofran lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Zofran and How Does It Work?
Zofran, also known as ondanestron, is a prescription medication that affects serotonin, a neurotransmitter found in the gastrointestinal tract that is associated with stomach issues such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Originally intended to treat stomach issues that patients may experience after having surgery or receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment, the drug has been used to combat morning sickness in women who are pregnant.
Zofran and Morning Sickness
In some cases, Zofran doctors may prescribe Zofran to pregnant women to treat morning sickness, nausea that typically occurs during the first few months of pregnancy. The treatment of morning sickness with Zofran has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the FDA, healthcare providers may prescribe an “off-label,” or unapproved, drug when they think that it is medically appropriate for the patient. In the case of Zofran, data regarding the effects of Zofran on the developing fetus have been reportedly conflicting.
Zofran Birth Defects
According to a lawsuit filed in July 2016, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the maker of Zofran, began receiving reports of birth defects associated with Zofran in 1992. The drug maker had allegedly received at least 32 reports of birth defects following Zofran treatment in pregnant women.
Birth defects named in those reports include:
- Congenital heart disease
- Dysmorphism, a change in the structure of the baby’s body
- Intrauterine death
- Stillbirth
- Kidney malformation
- Congenital diaphragmatic anomaly
- Congenital musculoskeletal anomalies
- Orofacial anomalies
Likewise, lawsuits claim that the drug makers knew about epidemiological studies reporting that prenatal Zofran exposure could more than double the risk of congenital heart defects.
Zofran Side Effects
Most prescription medications have some side effects associated with their use. Common side effects associated with Zofran include:
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Fever
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Rash
- Blurred vision
- Muscle spasm
Zofran Lawsuit Claims
Lawsuits allege that GSK marketed the medication “off label” as a “safe and effective treatment for the common side effects of normal pregnancy – pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting (morning sickness),” despite knowledge that those representations were not true. Lawsuits further claim that, as a result of GSK’s marketing campaign, Zofran was prescribed to unsuspecting pregnant women throughout the United States.
Additionally, lawsuits state that GSK had sold and marketed Zofran without warning healthcare providers and potential consumers that the drug was allegedly connected to an increased risk of birth defects, and that the company had not tested the drug to support their marketing and promotion for use in pregnant women.
How an Oregon 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 the Attorney Group for Oregon. 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.
