Epilepsy treatment Depakote has been named in numerous lawsuits for allegedly causing  birth defects and failing to warn users of the risk.

Depakote was approved in 1983 to treat epilepsy in adults and in children over the age of 10. It It was later approved to treat migraines and bipolar mania. It helps to calm overstimulated nerves which can lead to seizures.

Depakote is also called divalproex sodium, valproate, and valproic acid. Users might also know it as Stavzor. It may be taken as an injection, a capsule, or as a syrup. Depakote is sometimes combined with other medications for a more effective treatment of a patient’s issues.

Although the drug has been a successful epilepsy treatment for many, it has been blamed for causing Depakote birth defects not warned against by the drug manufacturer.

Depakote Birth Defects

Many women took Depakote during their pregnancy unaware of the risk it brought to their unborn child. This is because the drug manufacturer allegedly did not include adequate warnings about the risks concerning possible birth defects.

Many children have allegedly been born with Depakote birth defects such as:

• Cardiovascular defects
• Brain defects
• Spina bifida and other spinal defects
• Face or skull defects

Depakote birth defects can bring unexpected challenges to parents who now need to handle any surgeries required for the safety of the infant, future education and living costs, and a multitude of other issues than can arise.

Depakote lawsuits may help to bring financial aid to families who have to face these sudden, new costs. Depakote lawsuits have included allegations that the drug manufacturer failed to adequately warn about Depakote birth defects, that the company was, or should have been, aware that its epilepsy treatment carried birth defect risks.

Plaintiffs in Depakote lawsuits may win compensation to help pay for the medical costs, loss of wages, cost of special education and other real life expenses. Damages may be awarded for emotional and physical pain and suffering, if applicable.

Children whose mothers used Depakote while pregnant may be born with a cleft palate, brain defect, or other alleged Depakote birth defect. A Depakote birth defect class action lawsuit investigation is underway.