The American way: Cleft lip

What medication causes cleft lip in America?

Birth Injury

People often think of cleft lip birth defects as someone else's problem or a third world problem. Wrong! Cleft lip happens here in America. Cleft lip happens to your family, your neighbors, and your children's classmates.

If you're reading this now cleft lip may be happening to your son or daughter or grandson or granddaughter.

What are the causes of cleft lip in American medication?

Certain prescription medication contributes to the cause of cleft lip. Anti seizure medications have been associated with facial deformities. Topamax is one such anti seizure medication. Topamax is also used to prevent migraines. Other medications which may cause cleft lip are acne medications containing isotretinoin (Accutane, Sotret, Claravis, and Amnesteem), and methotrexate, a drug (Rheumatrex, Trexall) used to treat some cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and severe psoriasis. Some SSRIs or antidepressants may also cause cleft lip and cleft palate.

Other causes of cleft lip not related to medications are the increased use of alcohol such as women who drink more than five drinks (binge drinking) at once during the first week of pregnancy. Also heroin and cocaine can lead to serious complications and facial deformities. Taking any illegal drugs will harm the baby and make the baby addicted at birth.

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About Anapol Schwartz

  • Anapol Schwartz is nationally known for the handling of unsafe drug cases. Many pharmaceutical related injuries occur because of failures to warn of side effects, such as the case with Topamax, where clinical trials are not large enough or are too short in duration to determine increased risks. Often, the unknown effects will surface when drugs are prescribed off-label or improperly.

  • If you or someone you know taken unsafe drugs and has been severely injured as a result, our unsafe drug lawyers can assist you in evaluating your case. Click here for a free case evaluation.