The Attorneys at McCallum, Methvin & Terrell are currently investigating claims involving the anti-nausea medication Zofran, which has been allegedly linked to an increased risk of birth defects. Zofran is a potent anti-nausea medication originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat nausea related to radiation and chemotherapy. Recently, it is alleged that Zofran was aggressively promoted for “off-label” usage – treating symptoms of morning sickness in pregnant woman – although Zofran was never approved for this purpose.
While Zofran has been prescribed for this “off-label” use, the drug’s label does not contain adequate warnings against the increased risk of birth defects. This alleged failure to adequately warn has led to lawsuits alleging that the drug manufacturer illegally marketed Zofran and negligently failed to warn consumers and health professionals about the actual risks of taking Zofran during pregnancy. Zofran’s alleged potential side effects include various birth defects, such as heart defects, heart murmurs, atrial septal defects (“hole in the heart”), cleft palates, and kidney defects.