Across America, patients are prescribed Depakote (valproic acid) to treat various forms of epilepsy, mood disorders, and prevent migraines. Despite being a popular antiepileptic medication, it has been linked to several severe side effects and birth defects.

Having first been approved by the FDA in 1983 for epilepsy treatment, Depakote has quite a legacy in America’s pharmaceutical history. Later on, it was approved to treat bipolar disorder in 1995 and again in 1996 to prevent migraines. This popular medication is manufactured and sold by Abbott Laboratories, garnering millions for the drug company every year.

However, Abbott Laboratories has recently faced numerous charges of illegally marketing Depakote for off-label purposes and for allegedly causing birth defects to occur in children. Numerous families have filed legal action against the company after their children were born with birth defects, which allegedly resulted from the mothers taking Depakote while pregnant. The parents also complained that the warning for birth defects on Depakote’s label was insufficient, not accurately describing the risks.

Depakote works by increasing the brain’s production of the neurotransmitter, gamma amminobutyric acid (GABA). The primary functionality of GABA is to ensure stable communication between brain cells and calm overstimulated nerves. This mechanism makes Depakote a very effective epilepsy treatment medication, as it can soothe the sudden electrical brain trigger that cause seizures. Therefore, by increasing the amount of GABA in the brain it can prevent the onset of unwanted seizures and control sudden mood swings. Physicians often prescribe Depakote with other medications to treat epilepsy, especially for patients who suffer from complex partial seizures, as well as simple and complex absence seizures; both varieties of seizures are associated with impaired consciousness.

As previously mentioned, Depakote is often characterized as a mood stabilizer because its biological mechanism can treat bipolar manic episodes. In fact, when Depakote first entered the market, it was considered a medical breakthrough for its efficiency of treating manic episodes. With all the studies indicating birth defects, there are just as many studies that indicate Depakote is one of best treatment options to treat bipolar disorder.

Overview of Depakote Birth Defects

Numerous studies and injury reports indicate that Depakote birth defects are not uncommon occurrences. Women should be cautious when taking this medication if they are thinking of becoming pregnant. One Depakote birth defects study from 2010 suggested that birth defects were very likely to occur if Depakote was taken during the first trimester of pregnancy. It was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and consolidated data from eight different Depakote studies, finding that several birth defects were more common than others:

• Spina Bifida
• Atrial Septal Defect (hole in the heart)
• Cleft Palate
• Hypospadias (abnormality in the opening of the urethra in boys)
• Polydactyly (extra fingers or toes)

The findings of this Depakote birth defects study supported the concerns voiced by the FDA and medical experts, who state that this drug could pose a threat to unborn babies. Furthermore, the agency and other healthcare providers recommend that women with epilepsy should consider different treatment options and should research all side effects of the medications they are taking like Depakote. While many pregnant women with epilepsy struggle between the choice of following their prescription instruction or exposing their unborn child to drugs, healthcare experts state that this very reason is why expectant mothers should educate themselves.

Unfortunately, that does not change the fact that millions of children and families may have already suffered from Depakote birth defects. Many of them are seeking legal action by pursuing a Depakote birth defects lawsuit or joining a birth defects class action lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories for failing to protect them against the design defects of their medication.