Study Links Epilepsy Drug Topamax To Increase In Birth Defects

Washington (dbTechno) - British researchers have come out and stated that they have linked pregnant women who use the epilepsy drug Topamax (topiramate) to an increased risk of birth defects.

The study was led by John Craig of the Royal Group of Hospitals in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and was published in the July 22 issue of the journal Neurology. It included data on 203 women who became pregnant while taking Topamax alone, or in combination with other drugs.

Out of the 203 pregnancies, 18 ended in spontaneous abortions, 5 induced abortions, and 2 stillbirths.

What they found was that out of a total of 178 newborn babies, 16 of them suffered from major birth defects.

Four baby boys were born with genital defects, two being major defects. This is 14 times higher than the normal 1 in 300 chance.

Overall, they found that more birth defects took place inw omen taking Topamax with another drug. This marks the first study to link Topamax to birth defects in humans, confirming animal studies.