North Carolina Product Liability Lawyer Blog
Pregnancy brings with it many physical challenges, including nausea and vomiting which impact about 80% of pregnant women. It can range from being a minor issue to a potentially serious health risk, depending on the severity of the nausea and health of the mother. The drug Zofran is designed to limit nausea but it was not approved for use by pregnant women and it may cause birth defects. Although medical causation is not settled on the issue, many women who took Zofran during pregnancy gave birth to children with birth defects. Because of that potential link hundreds of lawsuits have been brought against the maker of Zofran, seeking compensation for the harm possibly done by the drug.
Intended Uses
Zofran (or ondansetron hydrochloride) helps prevent nausea and vomiting by blocking the effects of serotonin, a chemical in the body that can trigger nausea and vomiting. It was originally designed to help cancer patients dealing with the side effects of chemotherapy but is also approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for those suffering nausea due to radiation therapy, anesthesia and surgery.