anti-nausea drug banned in 80's

[marje]

I'm looking for the name of the drug that was prescribed for anti-nausea in pregnancy in the 70's and 80's that was subsequently banned because of problems it would cause female children.  Also any information about the effects to the child (22)attempting pregnancy.

[AndiJ78]

Bendectin wasn't linked as far as I know, I have been asked by every OB is my mother took DES (Diethylstilbestrol) while pregnant as that has been clearly linked to spontaneous abortion (miscarriage), ectopic pregnancy, and pre-term delivery.

http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/154/4/316

As far as Bendectin, it has still been widely used around the world. I did come across one study that mentioned an increased risk of pyloric stenosis, but yet another that suggests the use of Bendectin is linked with a DECREASE in congenital heart defects. As you can see, the research is still be performed and can show many different end results.

But I have not found any conclusive evidence to link it with infertility.

I, too, have suffered through multiple losses, 5 total. But I cannot imagine how hard it must have been on you to lose so many.  I was blessed with three boys, my first came after my 3rd loss and then one loss between my first and second son and then another between my second and third . I underwent several tests after my 4th loss, all of which led to no conclusive answers. They were made aware of the prenatal exposure to Bendectin, which was considered insignificant. In the end, my testing pointed to "bad luck."

I suggest you google "Bendectin and Infertility" or "Prenatal exposure and infertility" The results brought back so much information, way too push to post here.

I hope some day you find your answers.

[TucsonKate]

Hi Susie:
I am also doing research on morning sickness drugs that my mom may have taken in 1980 to see if any of them are related to my fertility problems.  I am 28, and have also been diagnosed with PCOS.  We have been trying to get pregnant for 3 years.  I have had two miscarriages and no successful pregnancies.  If you find out any more link between Benedectin and PCOS/infertility please post your info!  I would be very interested to know.  And congrats on the grandbaby, I'm thinking positive thoughts for you.

[NicoleBurns]

Hi, just wanted to let you all know, I came across this page while researching general materials involving Bendectin to supplement a legal paper I am writing. I am very familiar with the case itself and am writing about the particular scientific grounds that were at issue in that case, as it is a landmark for use of expert testimony. The case itself makes it very clear: the drug manufacturer had a vast epidemiological study using about 130,000 people, and found no link to the defects, BUT the people who were suing alleging defects caused by the drug had several other experts, all very well renowned, who reanalyzed the SAME information and found a link, as well as doing many other kinds of tests (animal, test tube, etc) and were all of the opinion that the drug DOES cause birth defects. Please just be aware that informal research on any drug you think you might take is not enough, you will come up with lots of contradictory information on old drugs, and very positive information on new drugs: the FDA and others have literally dropped the ball on this, if you can possibly avoid taking drugs at all during pregnancy that is your best bet by far. Keep in mind that the drugs being put out over the last 10 years or so are only tested by the companies that make them, and all negative research is NOT PUBLISHED, so even doctors will not have access to it. Hope that is helpful, and good luck.

[Damron]

I am 31 yrs old, and male. Both my mother and her sister were taking "BENEDECTIN" in 1977.  I and my cousin was diagnosed with enlarged aortic valves with abnormalities, sadly he did not survive a 2nd birthday. As I survived a grocery list of defects began showing. My feet are flat, all 10 toes have fused knuckles (they dont bend), my fingers are increasingly curling down and toward the thumb. I've struggled with fainting, cesures, migrians, and bowel disorders since birth. In my mid-20's diagnosed with mitral and tricuspid valve stenosis. At 28 I recieved a prostectic mitral valve and told to expect surgical attention of the tricuspid within 5-10 yrs.

65 % of females and 40 % of males born 1976-1982 with in utero exposure to "BENEDECTIN" have some type of physical abnormality. This seems to be more than just "bad luck" to me. This drug was shelved when cost exceded profit for that reason alone. 25 yrs later "BENEDECTIN" (minus the vitamin B-6) is "safe again", being sold again, and guess why ..... it's profitible again. I wonder what this comment board will look like in 2010, does history really repeat itself?

[tootsie850]

My mother took Bendectin when she was pregnant with me in 1976.  I have two older sisters and one younger sister.  Mine was the only of my mother's pregnancies in which Bendectin was taken.  None of my sisters has had any difficulting in becoming pregnant nor carrying their babies to full term.  I, on the other hand, have had countlesss problems with infertility and miscarriages.  Coincidence?  Maybe, but I have been extensively tested for the cause of my infertility and no apparent cause has been found.  I am not overweight, nor do I have any physical abnormalities.  Should I just chalk my situation up to bad luck or coincidence?  Possibly.
If you are looking for the FDA to come out and say, "Ooops, sorry.  Yeah, it really does cause birth defects." It's just not gonna happen.  If you're one of the moms who took Bendectin back in the 70's and you're blaming yourself for your daughter's infertility, DON'T.  You did nothing to purposefully hurt your child.   However, if you are a mother who is considering taking any medication during pregnancy, please do your own research.  The FDA and health care professionals are not going to tell you if any drug is 100% safe because they simply do not know.  There is no way for the FDA to say that a  drug is not harmful until the public tries it for a few years.  That's when they come out and say, "Oops we didn't know it could do that.  Stop taking it."  Don't be an "oops".  Be dilligent in your research and don't get all of your information from any one individual or source.  Hope this is helpful.  Best of luck to you!  

[nb326]

I am a 28 yr old female, My mother took Bendectin in Australia in 1981. I have had seven operations for polycystic ovaries and countless others that went untreated. I have also for the last 10 years had increasing arthritis in my knees, hands, feet and back which started at a young age. As I have gotten older I have started to notice that my right side of my body is slightly larger than my left ( more than the doctors generally say is nomal). The latter of these issues is how I came accross this blog. I had always wondered if that drug had anything to do with the size discrepencies, but had no idea that there was a link to polycystic ovaries.

If anybody knows of any journal articles that have been published regarding this drug that would be very helpful

regards