Depakote Birth Defects: Real Risks

Depakote is a prescription drug used to treat epileptic seizures, psychological disorders such as bipolar disorder, and migraine headaches. Depakote is marketed under several brand names and generic versions of the drug, including Depakote ER, Depakote Sprinkles, Depakene, and Valproate.

Research studies strongly indicate that women who take Depakote during pregnancy are at a substantially greater risk for having children born with birth defects. One of the most severe and disabling of these defects is spina bifida. Spina bifida causes incomplete development of the bones of the spine, leading to protrusion of the spinal cord and fluid through a gap in the bones. Other birth defects associated with Depakote are malformed head and facial structures including cleft palate, anencephaly, which causes a baby to be born without a brain, and fetal death.

Additional research has shown that children born to mothers who took Depakote during pregnancy are more likely to have cognitive defects resulting in lower IQ test scores. In response to this research, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a Safety Communication to inform the public about the increased risk from Depakote of children with lower cognitive test scores compared to children born to mothers taking a different anti-seizure drug. The FDA warns of the risk of these and other birth defects associated with Depakote, and recommends that doctors counsel their patients about these risks.
Physicians have been guided by the research results in caring for their patients. It is now common medical practice for doctors to advise women who intend to become pregnant to immediately stop taking Depakote if possible because of the risk of birth defects. Women who are concerned about the risks of taking Depakote should consult with a qualified healthcare professional.

Litigation connected with Depakote and birth defects is ongoing. A class action lawsuit is dealing with allegations that Abbott Laboratories, the Depakote drug manufacturer, may have intentionally failed to provide warnings of birth defect risks in the drug labeling. Women continued to take Depakote during pregnancy in the absence of such a warning, allegedly resulting in their children suffering from birth defects.
If you think that your child may have suffered a birth defect related to taking Depakote during pregnancy, you have rights. It is important that you retain all pertinent medical records and bills to help you obtain any compensation to which you may be entitled. It is also important for you to speak with a qualified drug injury attorney about your rights and your potential for any compensation that may be due to you and your family.