Zofran Birth Defect Lawsuits

Zofran is a medication used to treat nausea and is often used for cancer patients receiving treatment, or people who become sick following surgery. Sadly, it is also sometimes prescribed to pregnant women to treat morning sickness although it is unsafe for them to take it.

GlaxoSmithKline is the maker of Zofran and was fully aware of the risks associated with taking it while pregnant. Tragically, the pharmaceutical companies ignored warnings and research outcomes and pushed Zofran sales to physicians and their patients. Now, many families are suing GSK for negligence and failure to warn.

Zofran has been tested on animals and has been shown to reach past the placental barrier. In addition, the FDA has not approved Zofran for safe use during pregnancy, but GSK pushed the drug anyway.

Zofran use during the first trimester of pregnancy is linked to severe birth defects, including:

• cleft lip,
• cleft palate,
• and heart defects.

Families of children harmed by Zofran can seek compensation through a Zofran lawsuit. Simply pick up the phone and contact Meyerkord & Kurth to learn more about your rights.

Facts & Statistics: What You Should Know About Zofran & Pregnancy

In 2013, Danish medical researchers studied hundreds of thousands of prescribing records in conjunction with births. It was found that women who took Zofran during their first trimesters were 22% more likely to have babies with a septal defect.

Furthermore, these women were also 41% more likely to have a child with atrioventricular septal defects as well. Likewise, from 1997-2010 a second study indicated that women who had taken Zofran during the first trimester were more likely to have babies with congenital heart defects. In conclusion, moms who took Zofran while pregnant were two to four times more likely to have a baby with a defect.

Lawsuits Against Zofran Manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline

Several lawsuits against GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the makers of Zofran, are coming forward. All lawsuits are alleging that when Zofran is taken during the first trimester of pregnancy, babies are being born with severe birth defects. Such defects include cleft lip, cleft palate, stillbirth, kidney malformation, and congenital defects as well.

The plaintiffs allege that the drug maker failed to appropriately conduct safety testing on the medication before marketing it to physicians. The FDA did approve Zofran for use in cancer patients in 1991, but did not approve it as safe for use during pregnancy. Unfortunately, GSK continued to market and promote “off-label” versions of Zofran as a safe and effective treatment for morning sickness in pregnant patients.

• In 2012, GSK was found guilty of charges relating to the following:
• They promoted Zofran for conditions other than it was approved for by the FDA
• They made false representation about the drug’s safety
• They paid and offered illegal remuneration to physicians to encourage Zofran prescriptions

By 2000, GSK has received over 32 reports of birth defects associated with Zofran use while pregnant. In 2006, a research study demonstrated that Zofran reaches past the placental barrier into the fetus when taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. Then, in 2014 results from studies again showed that Zofran taken in the early stages of pregnancy gives the baby increased risk of having heart defects.
 

Ready to Speak With a Lawyer? We’ll Review Your Case for Free.

At Meyerkord & Kurth, we understand that your child’s wellbeing is your top priority, and should be represented as such. We are currently representing Zofran cases, and if this drug harmed your child, we can help. 

Please call our skilled St. Louis personal injury attorneys today for a free consultation.