Recent studies show that mothers who are currently taking the drug Zofran are at higher risk of delivering babies with birth defects.
What is Zofran?
Zofran (ondansetron) is known as a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist medication, used to treat and prevent induced nausea and vomiting. Zofran was developed in the mid 1980s by a London based pharmaceutical company in London. Zofran was approved in 1991 by the US FDA to be used mainly for treatment to cancer patients. Zofran works by reducing the effects of a substance in the body that is known as serotonin. Serotonin can be known to cause nausea and ultimately vomiting. Zofran basically interrupts the messages sent from the brain to the rest of the body that it should feel nauseous and get ready to vomit. Today, Zofran can be prescribed to cancer patients, pregnant women with severe morning sickness and other patients recovering from certain types of surgeries.
What are the side effects of Zofran?
You can experience headaches, dizziness, drowsiness and constipation and tiredness. Since Zofran can make you dizzy or drowsy, do not drive, operate heavy machinery and limit alcoholic beverages. Before taking Zofran, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other Serotonin blockers (granisetron). Zofran might cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm known as QT prolongation. If any of these side effects occur, contact your doctor immediately.
Zofran Birth defect lawsuit
The FDA never approved Zofran to be used for morning sickness by pregnant mothers in their first trimester. This drug has been known to cause:
- Cleft lip or palates
- Kidney defects
- Congenital heart defects
- Fetal growth
Ashley Injury Lawyers is here to help if you were prescribed this drug during your pregnancy and your child was born with birth defects. Please call us at 888-ASHLEY-911 to see if you are eligible to file a lawsuit against the Zofran manufacturer.