Birth Defects from Prescription Drug Use
According to the Food & Drug Administration, women who are pregnant or who are attempting to become pregnant should avoid certain drugs due to the possibility of birth defects. Typically, the FDA requires warning labels to be placed on these medications so that patients can be properly advised of the dangers. However, some physicians, whether for thoughtlessness or lack of time, fail to note or inform their patients of these hazards.
If your child has developed a birth defect due to a prescription drug that you were wrongly prescribed, a civil lawsuit may be necessary to seek the financial compensation that you need to address your son or daughter’s medical bills and other damages. Contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., by calling 215-238-1130 to discuss the details of your case with a compassionate legal advisor today.
Notably Dangerous Drugs
Many drugs on these warning lists work to remedy common medical problems faced by many Americans. Each can affect a fetus differently, and some may even cause major complications with the mother’s health. Pregnant women should avoid the following prescription medications if possible:
- Antidepressants, including Paxil and Prozac
- Certain hormone treatments
- Asthma treatments
- Lithium
- Aspirin
- Sleeping aids and anti-anxiety drugs including benzodiazepines
- Certain antibiotics
- Accutane and some other skin treatment drugs
The consequences of taking these drugs during a pregnancy can be dire for the unborn infant. In the case of sleeping aids and similar drugs, muscles may not develop properly. Some antidepressants have been linked to heart defects in newborns. Other drugs may substantially damage the nervous system of the child and even lead to significant brain damage.
Contact Us
The FDA provides ample warning for commonly prescribed drugs for a clear reason. If a physician either does not attend to these warnings or fails to properly inform a patient of possible side effects, the results can be devastating. If your family has suffered because of this sort of negligent behavior, contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., at 215-238-1130 today.