FDA Reports Migraine Medication Increases Birth Defects

The medication Topamax which is an anticonvulsant medication which had been approved for solo use or with other medications to treat patients with epilepsy with certain kinds of seizures had also been approved to treat migraine headaches.

This medication is now being reported as being able to cause cleft lips or cleft palate deformities.

The FDA has alerted health care practitioners and patients of this increased risk in infants being born to women on this medication. Officials are asking practitioners to alert their female patients of childbearing age about these dangers associated to the medication.

The agency's head of Division of Neurology Products, Russell Katz, had stated practitioners should consider medications carefully before prescribing this medication and look at alternative medications which carry less risk for birth defects.

Cleft lips and pallets take place when the mouth does not completely form which causes a split lip or hole in the roof of the mouth.

The outcome can lead to numerous developmental disorders due to the fact it makes it almost impossible for babies to obtain sufficient nutrition. It can be corrected with surgery however, several surgeries maybe needed.

There are several generic drug manufactures which sell this medication under its chemical name of topiramate.

There are alternative treatments which can relieve migraines some are as follows:

Chiropractic

There have been numerous clinical trails which have shown that chiropractic care could be beneficial in the treatment of migraines.

In one study those who underwent chiropractic manipulations had reported more than a ninety percent decrease in the rate of migraines attacks and 49% in the severity.

In another study chiropractic care was equal to that of migraine medication Elavil.

Nine other studies which were reviewed found chiropractic care to be just as effective as medications for migraines.

Reflexology

A technique which uses pressure applied to specific points on the hands and feet. Some studies have shown that it just may decrease the need for medications.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture treatments have also been used in the treatment of migraines. Studies have been split to the effectiveness of this treatment but most do agree that if used on the onset of migraines it is as effective as the migraine medication of Imitrex.
Sources:

FDA

Reuters

University Maryland Medical Center