Epilepsy and Migraine Drug Linked to Birth Defects

FDA has asked healthcare professionals to warn patients of a childbearing age about the potential hazard to the foetus if a woman becomes pregnant while taking Topamax or its generic versions.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), new data indicates that children born to mothers taking Topamax (topiramate) or its generic versions during pregnancy have an increased risk of birth defects.

FDA has asked healthcare professionals to warn patients of a childbearing age about the potential hazard to the foetus if a woman becomes pregnant while taking the drug, used to treat epileptic seizures and prevent migraines.

Data from the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry indicates that infants exposed to topiramate during the first trimester of pregnancy have an increased risk of oral clefts.

The data revealed that infants expose