Topamax Attorney

Sometimes known by its generic name, topiramate, Topamax is an anticonvulsive medication that has been known to help people suffering from migraines and treat epilepsy. Unfortunately, Topamax has recently been linked to incredibly serious side effects for pregnant women and their children who took the medication during pregnancy. Consumer Injury is here to help match people injured by this drug with the legal representation that they need in order to get full compensation for their claims.

History and Uses

Manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, an offshoot of Johnson & Johnson, Topamax was first approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996 for the treatment of epilepsy and in 2004 for migraine headaches. In 2012, the medication was also approved for use in combination with phentermine for weight loss.

Topamax has also been used for a number of off-label uses by consumers, including the treatment of bipolar I disorder, alcohol dependency, drug addiction, obsessive compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the effectiveness or side effects associated with Topamax treatment for these conditions has not been studied or approved.

Dangerous Side Effects

Some of the more common side effects regarding Topamax use include numbness, tingling, fatigue, taste change, weight loss, and concentration issues. However, the drug has also been linked to much more serious adverse effects. Topamax has been linked to increased risks for metabolic acidosis, oligohidrosis, and hyperthermia.

In addition, Topamax has been linked to serious eye disorders such as acute myopia and certain types of glaucoma. The medication has also been associated with an increase in suicidal thoughts or actions in some of its users. Most recently, the drug has been linked to an increased risk in cleft lip/palate deformities in infants born to women who were taking Topamax during their pregnancy.

Lawsuits Involving Topamax

In 2010, Johnson & Johnson reached an agreement to pay the federal government $81.5 million in fines for the marketing of off-label uses of Topamax, misbranding the medication, and making false claims. However, the drug was not recalled by the government.

In addition, since 2011 many people have filed lawsuits in state and federal court regarding the adverse effects that they suffered from using Topamax. The manufacturer is accused of failing to warn, negligence, fraud, misrepresentation, and breach of warranties regarding the safety and uses of the medication. In 2013, the first verdicts for mothers who had children born with cleft palates after using Topamax during pregnancy awarded $4 million to one family and $11 million to another for their injuries. There are now over 130 cases against Topamax pending in one Philadelphia court alone.

Call Us Today

If you or someone that you know has been injured by the serious side effects of Topamax, our company is here to help. Call us today for a private and free review of your case to match you with an attorney that can get you the compensation that you deserve for your pain and suffering.