Doctors prescribe Provigil® and Nuvigil® to people who suffer from excessive sleepiness due to sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and sleep apnea. An increasing amount of evidence suggests these drugs might also cause serious birth defects if taken by a pregnant mother.
Our attorneys are now accepting inquiries from people who suspect their children’s birth defects are linked to Provigil or Nuvigil. We will fight to get you compensation for all the past and future damages you and your family have faced and likely will continue to face as a result of your child's birth defects.
Birth Defects Potentially Caused by Provigil and Nuvigil
In Canada and Europe, Teva Pharmaceuticals warned healthcare providers that Provigil could cause birth defects, prompting doctors to stop prescribing the medication to pregnant women. Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has opened a pregnancy registry to document reports of women experiencing side effects of these medications.
Reports of side effects are extensive, and they include several possible birth defects. The following birth defects might be linked to Provigil and Nuvigil:
- Cleft palates
- Microcephaly
- Hypospadias
- Congenital heart defects
- Intrauterine growth restriction
- Death
If Provigil or Nuvigil Caused Your Child’s Birth Defects, You Have Legal Options
When pharmaceutical companies sell dangerous drugs without disclosing all the risks, they can be held liable for the harm their products cause users. Manufacturers have a legal responsibility to ensure their products are safe and clearly notify users of all potential side effects.
If you gave birth to a child with birth defects after taking Provigil and Nuvigil, you have the right to hold the manufacturer accountable for the harm it caused you and your child. Call our attorneys today to speak to an attorney about getting you and your family the payment you’re entitled to.
The Impact of Birth Defects
Birth defects are notoriously debilitating for newborns. A birth defect can be painful and traumatic for a child. It can also curb physical or mental development. When a child’s development is stunted, they might need special care throughout their formative years. In some cases, a child might require support and specialized care well into adulthood.
When a child needs specialized care, that child’s family will also bear the costs. Families might struggle to pay for medical bills, ongoing care, or any of the other many costs associated with birth defects. In some cases, one parent or both parents need to make sacrifices to their career in order to care for their child, which affects the family’s income and makes meeting these financial obligations even more difficult.
Families should know that when the damages they’ve experienced are due to a harmful medication, they have the right to hold the manufacturer of that drug responsible for the costs they face.
Contact Our Attorneys to Schedule a Free Case Review
If your child suffered birth defects after you took Provigil or Nuvigil, you should consider all your legal options. The manufacturers of these drugs might owe you compensation. Contact our attorneys today to learn more about how we can help you and your family.
Provigil® and Nuvigil® are registered trademarks of Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and are used here only to identify the product in question.
This law firm is not associated with, sponsored by, or affiliated with Teva Pharmaceuticals USA or the Food and Drug Administration.
Do not stop taking a prescription medication without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor's advice can result in injury or death.
Cases may be referred to another attorney or law firm.