Bendectin And Birth Defects (Page 7)

I took this drug in the 1970's while pregnant. Am looking for the side effects to the babies. Drug has been off the market for many years. Not sure on correct spelling. Used for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. Thank you for any help you can send me. Sincerely, Dana.

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Shanandhan #119, the answer to your question -- be it but a rhetorical one [your question] -- could simply rest with the fact that doctors et al. are given licence to 'practise' medicine, which they can only do, to the best of their ability as human beings, unfortunate as the results may be for those of us whose mothers took Debendox. For a long time I was unaware that children whose mothers had taken Debendox/Bendectin/Diclectin [I have seen another brand name something like 'Lenofan?' too] were born with gross deformities just like the myriad thalidomide babies. This was because my deformity was an imperforate ear canal and deformed pinna on one side only. I thought that this was as bad as it got. "Primum Non Nocere", ie, "First do no harm".

Like Thalidomide, Debendox/Bendectin/Diclectin is thought to be teratogenic, 'terato', from the Greek language, meaning 'monster'. It also means 'marvel'. I wonder...?!!

My Mum told me that she only took a few doses from the one prescription then returned the remainder to the pharmacist as she felt something was amiss. God bless her. She was the best Mum in the world too...but I'll concede she was no orphan! Her funeral was 8th March 2011. Nearly 92 years of age. "A boy has lost his very best friend". Now sleeping peacefully in God's eternal care.

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emtridoc, trust me, i'm not trying to just find someone to blame for my problems, i never realized benedictin was responsible until i met somebody with the exact same defect (extra toe) .he had an extra thumb. no family history of defects, just like me.just a big ol' coincidence?i kinda doubt that.i know we'll never be compensated for it.big drug companies can hire big lawyers, so there ya go.

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Missdebbie61. Sigh. Polydactyly (extra digits) is a very common birth defect. It has been described for hundreds (thousands?) of years, long before bendictin was around. Studies were done to compare the rate of birth defects in the children of mothers who took bendictin and those whose mothers did not. There was no difference in the rate in multiple studies. So yes, it was as likely as not, a coincidence.

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emtridoc,o.k i do respect your opinion.thank you for your response.

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I took this drug during my first pregnancy which was in 1982. By the time I had my next baby in '88 it was off the market. Now my adult daughter is having difficulties getting pregnant. Just curious if others have noticed this issue.

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Yes many problems. My daughters born in the late 70s are both sterile. Other mothers report different ones. Read down the blogs posted before yours. It will tell you the story

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I took Bendictine in 1980. I gave birth to a girl. She was born without the tibia and was club foot in both legs. I had to get her legs amputated from the knee down. Very heartbreaking.

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emtridoc, whilst it is true that Dendendox/Bendectin/Diclectin is reputed to have been, till this day, the drug having been placed under far more scrutiny than any other, and yet, has not been proved conclusively to be possessive of any teratogenicity, ponder this analogy if you will: Some [many] children/adults could sustain their lives for quite some time eating only peanuts [if it came to pass that there was no other foodstuff, say], yet others, if they ate just a slight amount of just one peanut only once, would die soon thereafter, and have. Accordingly, this clearly shows that some people should never ingest certain things, be it a foodstuff or a drug. Remember that too, if one is already taking a certain drug, a prudent doctor will never prescribe certain other drugs in concert, begging the question: What other things, if anything, were these pregnant women ingesting, or perhaps already lacking in their system?

To my knowledge, no male [ or known wombless/non-pregnant women] has ever been prescribed Debendox/Bendectin/Diclectin, but this is not to say that no male[or the aforementioned women], of any age, has never ingested some. Ergo, if after an extensive study of males [ or cited women] having done so, a pharmaceutical company could facilely say that: "Debendox has no teratogenic effect because no male [ or cited women] has been deformed in any way. Some pregnant women, evidently, [supposedly, if they did actually ingest it, and did not void it due to their nausea], can ingest Debendox/Bendectin/Diclectin [or peanuts!] resulting in no teratogenic [life-terminating] effect, and others simply cannot.

Considering every person involved in this whole saga, who can and simply cannot, with absolute honesty, say, "No mea culpa!" I suggest only those as being the resultant children involved and the cohorting totally-ignorant. Futhermore, given the plethora of the deformities and parents involved, I'd say that the totally-ignorant [blameless] predominate by a wide margin those knowledgeable or highly suspicious of any teratogenicity [inter alia] whatsoever!

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I think if I read one more time that the rate of birth defects did not decrease once Bendectin was pulled from the market, I will scream. Of course there are other causes of birth defects- environmental, genetics, whatever.
The interesting thing to note here is that 99% of people on this forum whose mothers took the drug have been affected. And I'm sure there are others out there. Coincidence? I think not!!!!

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Togal, trust me, I'm screaming. Of course you can find 130 people (and hundreds more) who have a connection to bendectin and some problem. In this thread benedictin has been connected to just about everything: sterility, ADD, mean personality, learning disability, birth defects, poor school performance, seizures disorder, poor sports performance, etc, etc.,etc. If I took a group of people with this widely disparate set of diseases and asked I could surely find hundreds whose mothers tooks tylenol during their pregnancies. Does that mean tyelenol caused it? No, these things happen. The most common concern is birth defects. The rate of birth defects is no different in mother who took bendectin then those who did not. Birth defects happen. There is no link that was found between birth defects and bendectin.

To Interlineal Peruser: I'm not sure where you were trying to go with your thoughts, but there is no analogy between peanut allergy and teratogenicty so it's hard to draw the comparison you have made. Perhaps a better analogy is alcohol and pregnancy. Many women can drink alcohol during pregnancy and have healthy, normal children. But if you study the rate of leaning disabilities and certain specific birth defects the rate is clearly higher in women who drank alcohol during pregnancy. Similarly, some people who smoke live to a 100 or more. And some people who don't smoke get lung cancer. But we know from studies that people who smoke get significantly more lung cancer and die at higher rates from early heart disease and stroke. Those kinds of studies don't show higher rates of birth defects with bendectin vs. no bendectin.

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I am sorry but these things do not just happen!!! I am one of three children; my two siblings have absolutely no health problems whereas I have a slew of health problems. The only difference noted by my mother is the use of Bendectin for her pregnancy with me. Others on here have said the same thing.
I have a facial deformity. Facial development in a fetus occurs in the first trimester. It was during this time that my mother used the drug. Others I have talked to have also been able to make this further connection.
These two additional facts are not negligible.

When a baby is born with birth defects or when problems arise later on, it is normal to question what went wrong. If tylenol or something so widely used was causing birth defects, inquiring minds (like mothers, affected children and the medical community) would eventually make the connection. Not to mention that we would see a much higher incidence rate (like half the population would be walking around with some kind of defect/abnormality).

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One other thing, Togal. It would be shocking if less than 99% of the postings here weren't about people who had bad experiences that they were linking to bendectin; that's what the forum is about and draws people looking for such. I happened across it looking for something else and probably the only person who's not trying to blame bendictin for an unfortunate outcome. Otherwise it would be 100%. It's certainly not a coincidence, but it's not at all random and statistically meaningless.

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Togal, I am sorry if you or your family have suffered. You have nailed the point right on the head - if a drug is to be linked to an adverse outcome then that adverse outcome should occur more frequently to people who take the drug then those who do not. Birth defects happen. It's been widely studied and they do not happen at a more frequent rate to children born of mothers who took bendictin. There are many families where one or more children were born fine and one with birth defects and nothing was different. It's just that birth defects of some sort or another are very common - 1 out of 33 live births according to the NIH. So statistically chances are reasonable that of multiple children born to a women several may be healthy but one may have a birth defect. That's why it is a coincidence that your mother was on bendictin.

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irregardless of what anybody wants to believe about benedictine, i had to do something about the severe nausea i had when pregnant with my first child.my other children and grandchildren didn't have any defects, but i only took it with my first child. i feel a little guilty since reading this forum, but i didn't know it could hurt .

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emtridoc, I concede that the analogy twixt peanuts and teratogenicity may, prima facie, seem somewhat tangential, so I'll expand upon where I was headed and hopefully join some dots along the way_ward. Remember, terato'gen_ius likes company I believe!

All mature [prudent] persons [or pharmaceutical companies], when hosting a party [or marketing a drug], should enquire if anyone attending, particularly children, is allergic to anything [peanuts for but one example, but don't rule out ANY drug either], because some of us know just what may prevail [and has many times, with even fatalities sometimes resulting] if no such inquiry is made. Even when the cited inquiry has been made unequivocally and ad nauseum [no pun] to everyone attending these parties, perniciousness has still come a'calling as is her [sorry girls] wont.

Statistics are fine, but not a veritable panacea, except perhaps for courts of law (which must [read: choose to, because some leave an open finding] rule on a finding), or anyone who'll nonchalantly accept statistics' import.

To me, and possibly indeterminable others, the aetiology of these myriad deformities/alterations should not necessarily be permitted to infuse itself with statistics as their [statistics] being the only or predominant agency that will lead us to resolution. We've heard about lies, damned lies and statistics...and it may well prove to be the very essence of statistics that is damning our quest of an answer.

My belief is that some mothers/foetuses in cohort [it takes 2 to tango remember] were susceptible to Debendox/Bendectin/Diclectin to a greater or lesser amount than were other mothers/foetuses at that particular time of the respective gestations. And I'll defy our very best actuaries to have a stab at that one, c'OZ' they wouldn't have a statistician's hope in hades.

Just as you have said that you happened across this forum looking for something else, I believe that this problem may be simply solved serendipitously, as many have been, and hopefully will continue so if that be the only hope they may hold of revelation. Even though I have a deformity, and I presume that you don't, I won't permit myself to become so inured to a point that my sights are only set on an 'ad hominem' argument with Debendox per se or its maker, or even that too of my own heaven forbid. To do so would only be to participate in that 'exercise of futility' writ large.

Given that some of the deformed/incapacitated and their loved ones -- for whatever reason, not that there has to be one so declared -- aren't able to voice or post their concerns on this matter, I'd much rather keep all options [and a mind] open eternally in their honour. It's the very least one can do for what I consider a good cause in deed.

emtridoc, I not only acknowledge your efforts to date but soundly salute you in the process. Thanks.

missdebbie61, the severe nausea you refer to has been known to be fatal to both mother and unborn child. My Mum was very ill indeed whilst carrying me[with 3 young boys to look after too] and more so during labour, and she said I was born with an exhausted heart. But I'm here today to say that you aren't to blame in any way. You did what you thought to be the best you could under the circumstances at the time, as did my dear Mum, who also felt guilty since I was the 4th and last child born to her and Dad, with the first 3 having no deformity. I was somewhat miffed as a child knowing that I was different to my brothers and other kids but I now carry it as a badge of honour. Please do remember this if you will, "Nothing last forever", except perhaps only the concept of ephemeralness [short-livedness], if ever. My deformity means that I can't hear in stereo or where sounds are coming from, and I have to continually re-position myself if in company when another person joins the throng. Some of them [who don't know of my deformity] take offence when I move c'OZ' they think I don't want to stand next to them. Sometimes I must even detach myself from them all slightly so that their speech emanates from a more localised source, so in effect, I become a self-imposed outcast to the group.

From all of this there is a bright side, which I believe there to be for all of us if we persevere, and it's that I do prefer to speak to one person at a time, and in doing so I'm able to give them my undivided attention as it's mere bagatelle to do so compared with my having to contend with a group, which is demanding of me, but I'm maintaining a vigil nonetheless...see here!

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My daughter was also born with two cervixes and two uteruses. I took benedictin during my pregancy 1980 I was told the drug was safe. I wondered if the abnormalty was related, but never looked into it. I was shocked to read your thread. Please let me know what you know, if willing you can call me at 301-620-2101 Thank you Wendy

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Just as an example on how we must be ever-vigilant, but more particularly prudent also, with not only this issue at hand, but amongst many another, (because the whole world doesn't revolve around the Bendectin/Debendox/Diclectin debacle) ponder this if you will: Some people [not astute ultrasonographers], and I'm not casting aspersions here, have used the term 'birth defects' in reference to the many deformities/abnormalities thought to have been caused by Debendox, and in some cases [thalidomide] been proven to cause these 'changes'.

The term 'birth' , in 'birth defects', is really only temporally applicable, if ever, because that's when most people [not these astute ultrasonographers again] actually witness the babies' putative ['birth'] "abnormalities" (although some "abnormalties" [internal] may never be known, but if they are, it may not be until many years post-birth). But is that when the 'abnormality' actually occured? At birth, and only magically at birth? Of course not! So the 'abnormalities' don't really qualify as being a veritable 'birth' defect at all!

We must start from the beginning, and if you recall from the scriptures: "In the beginning was the 'Word'...and the 'Word' was with....?

This is why we must be careful with labels. It is mere misnomers' use such as this -- which can and have presented themselves, with assistance sometimes from persons having a vested interest in fervently promulgating such 'red herrings' -- that has stymied progress in many an avenue of research for the simple fact that the researchers were just chasing their tails...and others' tales contemporaneously.

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A close friend took Bendictine in latter first trimester into second in 1977. Daughter born with tongue-tie and protruding ears. Currently, has bouts of depression, anxiety, difficulting concentrating with very little motivation; has lost many jobs, abdominal issues, bouts of IBS (was also born lactose intolerant), has had issues with addiction to prescription drugs; attempted suicide and was 'confused' as to her sexuality--from announcing she was 'gay' to being 'in love' with a guy and back again, Heard that some drugs can have affect on hormones of mother and that some kind of 'surge' of a certain hormone or combination of hormones and that this 'surge' can cause reproductive abnormalities and/or sexual identity problems. Anyone else heard of this 'connection' to Bendictine? Her life has been difficult emotionally, has had protruded ears surgically 'corrected' at age 5; her tongue-tie was also corrected prior. Worried that this drug, Bendictine, has caused these problems. It is heartbreaking and frustrating to see her and more so her daughter go through these problems which have clearly caused more than little 'setbacks' in their lives. She also has episodes of anger and mood swings. No one in her family or her father's family (to my knowledge) has ever had any of these problems. So sad and frustrating and my heart also breaks for all of the mothers/parents who have contributed posts to this site. God Bless and see you through...but, i think a good lawyer may also help, but haven't seen any 'class action' suits or otherwise due to the harm this drug seems to have caused--how could so many problems/birth defects be 'coincidental'? ..the only thing that seems to be a common thread in most all of the posts on this site is the drug Bendictine. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

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Sorry, but I re-read some of these prior posts more thoroughly and noted other similar symptoms which I have seen in her daughter--very sensitive and sometimes hypersensitive and is offended easily;and also mom tells of being "spacey" and unable to 'connect' with many people, has bad headaches as well as debilitating menstrual cramps and joint problems. Apologize for any redundancies. I don't care if there was former lawsuits dismissed; there has to be something someone can do to compensate (although money certainly won't give these poor kids back their health) those who have suffered because of this drug. These wealthy chemical/drug companies should not be able to get away with things like this. You know what, it seems that 'infertility/reproductive/sexual' issues have been 'cropping' up in record numbers involving daughters/sons whose mothers conceived and were given this drug, Bendictine, in the 1970's and prior--the ages of these people in their twenties, late twenties/early thirties or so--this just cannot be mere 'coincidence', especially when doctors shy away or completely refuse to prescribe this med or who will come right out and state that Bendictine is likely the culprit.or actually state that it was the culprit. Will the courts dismiss all of these doctors, or just the ones hired by the drug manufacturer?--well, we know the answer to that when considering the past suits. I guess at least one couple got something "a small settlement"--so someone must have not had their case dismissed--likely Dow will claim they were not guilty, but wanted to avoid further legal costs of a trial...so they 'settled'...yeah, right! This just is not fair! By the way, from all I have heard or read, alcohol causes fetal alcohol syndrome and smoking low birth rates, but i've never heard that either one has caused birth defects such as mentioned here with Bendictine. Let's try andget these creeps and if no lawyer will take up this issue again, perhaps the best idea would be, as others have metioned, to start some kind of fund/foundation to help those that DOW and the courts likely will not and who obviously really don't seem to care at all that this drug has caused so much misery and likely financial ruin for some of these poor families!Thanks for 'listening!' (again)

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Hey, guess I'm 'on a roll', but could someone please tell me if the FDA, prior to 'approval' of a drug must be presented with clinical studies/etc. which conclude the safety of the drug which is being considered for such approval? If so, and if these studies are, in fact, a necessary/mandatory requirement prior to the FDA giving their famous/infamous seal of approval, why is it that many of these drugs which have been 'approved' by the FDA have ended up in the courts and have been subsequently declared 'unsafe?' If so, could the same be said of Bendictine? I'm sorry, but it seems to me that, perhaps, further studies, and not those of DOW, may prove that, in fact, Bendictine did/does (for those areas where it is still peddled) cause these or some, or even a few, or even one of the aforementioned 'birth defects' or conditions presented later on in life. Forgive my many posts or my ignorance (I humbly confess to being ignorant of 99.99999...% of everything in the universe) and also my obvious emotionally charged 'rantings' against this drug, but I happened onto this site after some emotionally charged discussions with friends today and it hit a nerve. . Also, weren't some of the abnormalities/defects found to be caused by Thalidomide (sp?) also found in other children of mothers who did not take it? Just curious. I knew for years that Darvon was a monster--had all the 'side effects' and after all of these years, decades.....finally....gone! I guess some things just take a very long 'sweet' time! Again, thanks for 'listening' and for any input... I promise to go to bed (it's 1:53 am EDT) and so will stop 'hogging' this forum 'today.'

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