Depakote Lawsuit And Birth Defect Information

Depakote, an anticonvulsant commonly used to treat epilepsy, bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions, has recently been linked to an increased risk of several birth defects when taken during pregnancy.

The drug, which was originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1983, helps reduce the incidence of seizures and other conditions by increasing the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain. When used during pregnancy, however, the drug has been linked to an increased risk of congenital malformations and neural tube defects.

If you were prescribed Depakote during your pregnancy and experienced pregnancy complications, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical expenses, pain, suffering and other losses. To learn more about a potential Depakote lawsuit and to receive more information call 1-800-452-0949 or fill out the form below.

Depakote Birth Defects

Recent studies have shown that the use of Depakote during pregnancy, particularly during the first trimester, significantly increases the risk of several birth defects.

The most common of these birth defects is spina bifida, which is a condition that occurs when the spinal canal and the backbone do not close properly in the developing fetus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the use of Depakote during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with a 1 to 2 percent chance of spina bifida. Comparatively, the risk of spina bifida among infants not exposed to the drug is between 0.14 and 0.2 percent.

During a 2010 analysis of more than 98,000 pregnancies, European researchers found that babies exposed to Depakote during pregnancy were 12 times more likely to develop spina bifida than those not exposed to the drug.

The study also found a link between Depakote and several other serious birth defects, including:

Atrial septal defects – An atrial septal defect is a condition characterized by insufficient closure of the wall that separates the upper chambers of the heart. The risk of this defect was doubled in babies born to Depakote users.
Cleft palate – Cleft palate is a facial birth defect that occurs when the tissue connecting the roof of the mouth and the upper lip develops insufficiently. A five-fold increase in the risk of this defect was seen in infants of Depakote users.
Hypospadias – Hypospadias is a condition characterized by the abnormal development of the urethra. In boys with the condition, the urethra is located on the underside of the penis instead of the end. This defect was nearly five times more common in infants exposed to Depakote.
Craniosynostosis – Craniosynostosis is a birth defect characterized by the premature closure of the skull bones. This birth defect occurred nearly seven times more frequently in babies exposed to Depakote.
Polydactyly – Polydactyly is a defect characterized by the development of more than five fingers per hand. This defect was twice as common in infants exposed to Depakote.

Other birth defects that have been linked to Depakote include:

Blood clotting abnormalities
Liver failure
Developmental delays
Autism and/or autism spectrum disorder

Additional Information about Depakote

The active ingredient in Depakote is valproate, which can be found in other brand name medications such as Depacon, Depakote CP, Depakote ER, Depakene and Stavzor.

In December 2009, the FDA informed health care professionals and patients about the birth defect risks associated with valproate. The FDA, however, warned that no drug used to treat epilepsy should be discontinued immediately, as doing so can result in serious complications.

Depakote is produced by Abbott Laboratories, and sales of the drug reached more than $7.5 billion in 2010.

Legal Assistance

Many individuals who have experienced complications as a result of Depakote use during pregnancy are beginning to file lawsuits against Abbott Laboratories in an attempt to seek compensation for their losses. If you were prescribed Depakote during pregnancy and do not feel you were adequately warned about the risk of birth defects associated with the medication, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering if your child was born with certain birth defects. To receive a free case evaluation and learn more information about Depakote and potential birth defects, please fill out the form at the top of this page.