ANTI-EPILEPSY DRUGS CAUSING EXTREME BIRTH DEFECTS
"(NaturalNews) after the
scandal of Thalidomide, it was said that important lessons were learned, and
that it should never happen again. Now it comes to light that another set of
drugs are causing birth defects, and have been since the seventies.
Thalidomide was a
"calming" drug used in the fifties to treat morning sickness, and led
to birth deformities such as shortened or missing limbs, impaired hearing and
eyesight, and internal injuries. This resulted in claims which cost millions of
dollars to the pharmaceutical companies. The World Health Organization (WHO)
banned Thalidomide, the ban lasting from 1962 to 1985 when it was approved for
use again, this time in third world countries for the treatment of leprosy, and
more recently AIDS and cancer.
The drugs now causing birth
defects are anti epilepsy drugs, with the ingredient sodium valproate. The
defects are varied but include spina bifida, cleft palate, and
neuro-developmental disorders. The drugs including Epilim, used since 1978, and
associated with Fetal Anticonvulsant Syndrome (FACS), and birth defects for
almost as long as it has been available. The characteristic facial features are
a thin upper lip, small crowded teeth and wide nasal bridge. Whilst the effect
of sodium valproate is not the dramatic loss of limbs, as is the case with Thalidomide,
the effects are life limiting and debilitating.
Epilim accounts for 80 percent of
the reported cases of FACS in the UK and has affected 20,000 births - ten times
the number of Thalidomide affected births. Dr Turnpenny, clinical geneticist at
the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital said, "Epilim may affect about 560
babies every year. About ten percent of fetuses exposed to sodium valproate
will have a major congenital malformation such as cleft palate. Twelve percent
are likely to develop a neuro-developmental disorder." Consultant
neurologist at BMI, The London Independent Hospital, Suzanne O'Sullivan said,
"These days we avoid putting women of childbearing age on it (Epilim) as a
first choice drug. Not all doctors are aware of the risk. There are other drugs
that are safe to use during pregnancy."
When medication may be the only
option, you must be well informed
A major convulsive seizure during
pregnancy can cause injury to the mother and baby, and even lead to
miscarriage. Some patients do need anti-convulsants, without which the chances
of a successful full term pregnancy would be greatly reduced. However, the
selection of a drug with such a high rate of debilitating effects is both
dangerous and illogical when there are alternatives. Epilim may be the standard
treatment by some doctors, simply because they are not aware of the
alternatives, or because it is less expensive. It should also be considered as
to how severe the patient’s epilepsy is before prescribing these drugs.
Ultimately it is the responsibility
of the person taking drugs prescribed by a doctor, to do extensive research as
to what they are putting into their body. If there is a possibility that a
natural, holistic approach can be taken, then that should be the first choice.
Thalidomide should never have been taken for morning sickness, as there are so
many natural cures. However, in the case of moderate to severe epilepsy, drugs
can be the only option, so it is important to be completely informed on all the
effects of the drugs being taken. By being aware of the complete picture of
what these drugs do, it is possible to ask for different treatments from a well
informed standpoint.
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