Similar to that of morphine, oxycodone is a narcotic pain reliever that is capable of reducing even the most severe bouts of pain. Its fast acting mechanism of action allows it to treat pain immediately and for a prolonged period of time. However, the introduction of a powerful narcotic pain reliever such as oxycodone may coincide with catastrophic complications when administered to certain populations. Subsequently, maternal treatment with an opioid analgesic such as this may result in severe life-threatening oxycodone birth defects.
If you or a loved one has a child who was diagnosed with any of the birth defects mentioned in this article after being exposed to oxycodone in the womb, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
Oxycodone Birth Defects Lawsuit Overview
Oxycodone was introduced to the U.S. market on December 12, 1995 by Purdue Pharma LP. However, their marketing of oxycodone has since been discontinued. As a result, oxycodone is currently marketed under the following generic names: Dazidox, OxyContin, Oxyfast, OxyIR, Percolone, Roxicodone, Roxicodone Intensol, M-Oxy, ETH-Oxydose and Endocodone. Oxycodone has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to assist in moderate to severe pain relief.
The effects of oxycodone are directly correlated to the influence the drug has on the nervous system. As an opiate (narcotic) analgesics, oxycodone has the inherent ability to alter the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. The pain relief induced by analgesics occurs either by blocking pain signals going to the brain or by interfering with the brain’s interpretation of the signals, without producing anesthesia or loss of consciousness.
Unfortunately, the mechanism of action responsible for blocking pain signals may coincide with catastrophic complications in certain populations. Maternal treatment with an opioid analgesic such as this may result in severe life-threatening oxycodone birth defects. Due to the severity of these abnormalities, patients may contact a lawyer at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP for a free case evaluation regarding their potential oxycodone birth defects lawsuit.
Oxycodone Birth Defects
Maternal treatment with opioid analgesics such as oxycodone may result in the following birth defects:
- Spina bifida
- Hydrocephaly
- Glaucoma
- Gastroschisis
- Congenital heart defects
- Conoventricular septal defects
- Atrioventricular septal defects
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- Atrial septal defects
- Tetralogy of fallot
- Pulmonary valve stenosis
Oxycodone During Pregnancy
A recent CDC study attempted to determine, whether or not, treatment with an opioid analgesic medication just before or during early pregnancy was associated with the occurrence of certain birth defects. The study used data from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a population-based, case-control study to understand the causes of and risk factors for major birth defects in the United States. It is important to note that data revealed that treatment with opioid analgesics just before or during early pregnancy was reported by 2% to 3% of the mothers.
After reviewing the data, findings related to congenital heart defects were consistent with findings of previous studies showing links between the use of opioid analgesics during the first trimester and the occurrence of some heart defects. Congenital heart defects are among the most common birth defects, affecting nearly 1% of U.S. births, and are the main contributor to infant death attributable to birth defects.
Congenital Heart Defects
Unfortunately, the CDC study of opioid analgesics suggests that oxycodone may be responsible for a variety of associated heart defects with varying degrees of severity. Subsequently, congenital cardiac abnormalities have recently been associated with the use of oxycodone. The following is a comprehensive list of congenital heart defects:
- Atrial septal defects
- Ventricular septal defects
- Ebstein’s anomaly
- Mitral valve defects
- Transposition of the great arteries
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- Hypoplastic right heart syndrome
- Tricuspid valve stenosis
- Tricuspid valve atresia
- Aortic stenosis
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Truncus arteriosus
Oxycodone and Pregnancy
The FDA currently classifies oxycodone in Pregnancy Category C, which means there have been no adequate and well-controlled studies conducted on the drug to determine whether it may have an impact on an unborn child. The administration has advised that oxycodone should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the risk to the fetus.
Do I Have a Oxycodone Birth Defects Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in Oxycodone birth defects lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, if you or a loved one has a child who was diagnosed with any of the birth defects mentioned in this article after being exposed to oxycodone in the womb, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.