Epilepsy medications like Topamax are used as a preventative tool for seizures. These drugs are often used in conjunction with add-on medications like retigabine (Trobalt), which was approved in March 2011. However, for the time being, there is no proof that retigabine is any better than other standard therapies.

The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) states that “epileptic seizures are referred to as partial (or focal) seizures if they only affect a small part of the brain, and muscle twitching and cramps are restricted to single regions of the body. However, such seizures may spread across the whole body and are then referred to as “secondary generalization.” Right now retigabine is approved to be used as an add-on therapy for patients suffering from partial seizures who are aged 18 and over.

When it comes to comparator therapies, the G-BA specified that lamotrigine is the best comparator therapy to use with retigabine. The fact that retigabine shows no better results than other medications could present a problem for the manufacturers of the drug. However, it was noted that when lamotrigine is used as the basic treatment, Topamax is the correct comparator, which could present its own problems. Topamax can cause birth defects in babies exposed to the drug in-utero. Some of those birth defects linked to Topamax include PPHN, oral clefts, neural tube defects and heat, lung and brain defects. The drug is also used as a treatment for migraines and is known to have a side effect of weight loss in patients using it. Recently, Topamax was found to be a main ingredient in the weight loss drug Qnexa, which is currently being reviewed by the FDA.

If your baby was born with any of these birth defects after being exposed to Topamax during gestation, contact Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Topamax lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your baby’s injuries.