Migraine medication may increase birth-defect risk

Cleft lips and palates occur when the mouth does not fully form, which leads to a split lip or hole in the upper palate. While such oral birth defects are relatively rare in the United States, it has been found that an epilepsy drug used to help prevent migraines can increase the risk of these defects in babies born to mothers who take the medication. According to the FDA, expectant mothers who take the drug topiramate (Topamax) are about 20 times more likely to have infants with cleft lips or cleft palates than women not taking the medication. Women of childbearing age should know that the defects occur during the first three months of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant.

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