The Danish pharmaceutical group Lundbeck announced October 24 that the FDA has decided to approve a new epilepsy drug called Onfi. Onfi is used as a preventative measure against seizures in patients who are two years old and older.

Lundbeck is hoping that Onfi will help them make a large contribution to the company’s growth in the next few years. If the FDA did approve the drug, it will be available in pharmacies all over the United States as early as January 2012, according to the company. Getting the FDA’s approval for Onfi was for the adjunctive treatment of seizures that is associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome is a rare but severe form of epilepsy that is diagnosed in children but can continue well into adulthood.

Of the FDA approval for Onfi, Lundbeck’s head of research and development, Anders Gersel Pederson, says, “We are pleased with the FDA approval of Onfi as it represents yet another milestone for Lundbeck in the U.S.”

While Onfi is the new drug on the block for treating seizures, Topamax has long been used as anti-seizure medication in the United States. Topamax is also known to cause birth defects in the babies of women who take it during pregnancy. Some of the birth defects that Topamax can cause include cleft palate, limb defects, heart defects and other congenital defects, cranio-facial defects, spina bifida and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). For that reason, it is hoped that newer medications like Onfi will be a safer alternative for pregnant women with epilepsy.

If you have taken Topamax while pregnant and your baby was born with birth defects because of it, contact attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced with fighting Topamax lawsuits and I may be able to help you recover money for your baby’s injuries.