Arkansas Mother Files Zofran Lawsuit Claiming Multiple Defects Caused By Drug

ZofranLegal.com reports that the mother of a boy in Arkansas believes the anti-nausea medication Zofran caused more than one birth defect in her child.

The complaint, which was originally filed in the United States District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana under case number 2:15-cv-04399-SM-DEK, but is now consolidated in MDL 2657, alleges that because the mother was prescribed Zofran during her first trimester, her son developed several severe birth defects including two clubfeet, respiratory distress syndrome and apnea, and a cleft palate. His mother has stated that there is no family history of any of these birth defects. Born in 2007, he has already undergone two surgeries to correct the defects and may require additional procedures in the near future.

This plaintiff wasn’t the first to allege that the drug harmed an unborn child. In all of the more than 230 complaints filed against GlaxoSmithKline, the makers of the drug, parents claim their child suffers from a serious birth defect because of exposure to Zofran while still in the womb.

Zofran was first put on the market in 1991 after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved its use in patients experiencing nausea and vomiting after being treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or anesthesia. Due to the fact that the company had never performed human clinical trials involving expectant mothers, the drug was not approved as a treatment for morning sickness. Despite this, GSK decided to advertise it for “off-label” use to the public and the medical community. As a result, millions of pregnant women were prescribed Zofran.

Today, families are alleging that the drug caused conditions such as atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, transposition of the greater vessels, tetralogy of fallot, cleft lip and palate, clubfoot, ear deformities, and kidney defects. By pursuing legal action, they hope to recover compensation for their children’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, and emotional turmoil.

Currently, the attorneys at Monheit Law are working to assist anyone who believes their child may have been harmed by Zofran. Free consultations are being offered to all qualifying parties. To learn more, contact Michael Monheit at 877-620-8411.