Zofran (ondansetron) and its dissolvable sister drug Zuplenz are drugs originally developed to treat nausea in cancer patients. GlaxoSmithKline, the drug company responsible for Zofran, in an effort to capitalize on another segment of the market, encouraged the prescription of this medication for nausea in pregnant women.
However, this usage was not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and serious side effects have come to light. Off-label use of Zofran has been connected to several types of birth defects, most commonly: Craniosynotosis (premature fusing of bones in the skull), heart defects, club foot, and cleft lip/palate. Babies born with these conditions can require extensive medical treatment and endure a great deal of suffering. Many of those affected have successfully pursued legal action in order to hold the drug companies responsible.
If the child of you or your loved one was born with a birth defect, and Zofran was taken during the pregnancy, the child and its family may be entitled to compensation. Contact our dedicated legal team at Iannella & Mummolo to learn more.