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New Study Links Depakote to Autism & Other Developmental Delays
By Andrea Gressman
There has been a new study released that seems to confirm research previously conducted linking Depakote, a popular anticonvulsant drug, to autism as well as other developmental delays when used during pregnancy.
On January 31, 2013, the research in this latest study was published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, which indicated there was an increased side effect risk of experiencing severe development delays in children whose mothers took Depakote while pregnant. The study also noted an increased risk factor for children whose mothers took other anticonvulsant drugs, like Tegretol and Lamictal, during their pregnancy as well.
This study reportedly examined the data from over 500 women during their pregnancies between the years 2000 and 2004. It was after studying this data that they discovered the babies exposed to Depakote during their mother’s pregnancy had 6 times the side effect risk of developing a developmental disorder than babies who were not exposed to the drug while in utero. The most common side effect was listed as autism. As if this high side effect risk factor was not enough, the study also indicated that when Depakote was used in combination with another drug the risk of birth defects was drastically increased.
Depakote is prescribed for a variety of issues, including epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It first hit the drug market in 1978 by the manufacturer Abbott Laboratories. Depakote has become very popular since that time. However, there is research continually being released, like the study mentioned above, that shows there is a dangerous side to Depakote that many users are unaware of: birth defects. Some of these Depakote birth defects include the following:
- Cleft palate
- Heart malformations
- Limb defects
- Skeletal defects
- Spina bifida
It also appears that autism and other serious developmental delays can be added to this list as well. It is also important to note that the likelihood of these occurring increases if Depakote is used during the first trimester of the pregnancy.
Although the risk of Depakote birth defects has not received a lot of attention in the media in the past, it has been on the radar where the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is concerned. In fact, in 2006, the FDA mandated that Depakote have a “black box” warning on its labels informing consumers about the risk of Depakote birth defects if the user takes the drug during pregnancy. This requirement was implemented after a study was released indicating that 20% of women who took Depakote while pregnant gave birth to children with birth defects.
As a result of these very scary statistics there have been many Depakote lawsuit filed against the manufacturer, Abbott Laboratories. Many of the Depakote lawsuits claim that Abbott did not properly warn consumers of the severe side effect risks associated with Depakote. If this sounds familiar and you had a child who suffered from autism, spina bifida, a cleft palate, or other developmental delays and birth defects, it is important that you know what your legal options are.
Visit the Depakote Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page right away to get the help you need. Simply provide your information and receive a free legal review from an experienced Depakote lawsuit a lawyer.
Updated February 25th, 2013
All medical device, dangerous drug and medical class action and lawsuit news updates are listed in the Drug and Medical Device section of Top Class Actions.
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