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Zofran Lawsuits

Zofran Birth Defects

Risk of Serious and Life-threatening Birth Defects Linked to Prenatal Zofran Exposure

Ondansetron Birth DefectsZofran (ondansetron) is an anti-nausea drug that has been linked to a risk of birth defects when taken during pregnancy. Zofran birth defects research indicates that fetuses exposed to Zofran may face a two-fold increase in risk for a range of birth defects including heart defects, physical abnormalities including cleft lip and cleft palate, atrial septal defect, fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, and jaundice.

Approved for use in patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, Zofran is widely prescribed off-label to control extreme nausea in pregnant women. For many women, nausea peaks in the first trimester, which is also a highly sensitive period of fetal development. Research shows that fetuses exposed to Zofran in utero, particularly during the first trimester, are at risk for developing birth defects.

Types of Zofran Birth Defects

A study that examined pregnancy outcomes of over 900,000 women in Denmark found that fetuses exposed to Zofran during the first trimester of development face a doubling in the risk of heart defects compared to fetuses not exposed to the drug. The following congenital heart birth defects and other birth defects that have been linked to Zofran exposure:

Zofran Birth Defects & the FDA

To date, Zofran has not been approved for use in pregnant women. In fact, Zofran has been under FDA scrutiny since 2013 when a pattern of adverse event reports (heart arrhythmias and serotonin syndrome) was detected by federal regulators through its FAERS system. Zofran is categorized as a Pregnancy Category B drug, meaning there is inadequate testing on the safety of the drug for prenatal women.

Zofran was developed by GlaxoSmithKline and was first approved by the FDA in 1991. Generic versions of the drug entered the U.S. market in 2006. Zofran is in the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist class of medicines. It controls nausea and vomiting by blocking the function of serotonin, the chemical responsible for causing these conditions. Zofran can be taken in a rapidly-disintegrating tablet or via injection.

Zofran in Pregnancy and the U.S. Department of Justice

In 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice (D.O.J.) filed a lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline over the off-label marketing of Zofran and other drugs. Off-label marketing refers to marketing conducted to promote Zofran for uses other than those approved by the FDA. Among those off label applications was the use of Zofran to treat morning sickness in pregnant women. Ultimately, GlaxoSmithKline paid $3 billion to the DOJ to resolve numerous criminal and civil charges, and has been subject to stringent requirements to ensure to corporation is adhering to federal regulations.

Bill Corr, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), explained the significance of this record settlement in a press release from the Department of Justice issued on July 2, 2012:

“Today’s historic settlement is a major milestone in our efforts to stamp out health care fraud. For a long time, our health care system had been a target for cheaters who thought they could make an easy profit at the expense of public safety, taxpayers, and the millions of Americans who depend on programs like Medicare and Medicaid. But thanks to strong enforcement actions like those we have announced today, that equation is rapidly changing.”

Zofran Birth Defects Research

Existing research on the effects of Zofran on pregnant women and fetuses indicates this application is not safe. However, mixed results from a variety of studies have served to confuse the public about the actual risk of Zofran birth defects. Studies conducted with a very small sample size have concluded that Zofran birth defects are not a risk. However, large studies show there is a risk of birth defects from prenatal exposure to Zofran. To date, Zofran has never been approved for use in pregnant women in the United States.

Timeline of Zofran Birth Defects Research

Zofran Birth Defect Lawyers Offer Free Case Review

Our attorneys handling Zofran birth defect lawsuits on behalf of mothers and families whose babies suffered birth defects after exposure to Zofran. They will work tirelessly on your behalf to assure you get the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved meets this description, complete the contact form at the right of your screen and a Zofran birth defects attorney will respond to answer your questions and giving you a sense of your legal options. Zofran birth defects attorneys provide free, no-obligation case review.

Zofran Birth Defects Lawsuits

Individuals and families whose baby was born with a birth defect from Zofran may have grounds to file a lawsuit. We provide legal representation for Zofran birth defects lawsuits on a contingency basis, meaning that we never charge a fee unless we win compensation on your behalf.