The epilepsy drug Topamax (topiramate) can cause birth defects in children whose mothers took it while pregnant, a new study has discovered.
In a study of 178 pregnant women who were taking topiramate alone or in combination with other drugs, 16 – or 9 per cent – gave birth to a child with a defect, such as a cleft palate or lip, and genital deformities. Three were born to women taking only topiramate and the others were born to mothers who were taking it with other drugs.
(Source: Neurology, 2008; 71: 272-6).