Depakote Birth Defects Not Disclosed, Lawsuits Say

Currently, there are dozens of lawsuits being filed against Abbott Laboratories, the manufacturer of Depakote, alleging the company inadequately disclosed the risk of Depakote birth defects on their warning labels.

Some of the Depakote birth defects being alleged in these lawsuits include:

• Cleft Palate
• Hypoplastic Right Heart (underdeveloped right side of the heart)
• Unprotruding Testicles
• Polydactyl
• Abnormally Developed Ribs
• Hypospadia (condition in male babies that causes the opening of the urethra to occur in the wrong place)
• Spina Bifida

Depakote has also been shown to affect cognitive development in children who were born to mothers who were taking this medication while pregnant. Studies have shown that these children may score lower on cognitive tests than children whose mothers took other seizure medications during pregnancy. Depakote can also pass through breast milk, so nursing infants are also at risk for liver failure, cognitive development, and an inflamed pancreas.  

The most dangerous potential side effect of Depakote during pregnancy is fetal death. Pregnancy Depakote use may also lead to early developmental problems after they’re born, including autism, as well as liver failure and an inflamed pancreases.
 
Though unusual, Depakote is sometimes prescribed to children with schizophrenia, extreme epileptic conditions, or bipolar disorder. Unfortunately, this obviously carries a greater risk to the younger patient, especially if the patient is younger than two years old. At this age, children are at even greater risk of developing liver or pancreas failure, especially if they use more than one seizure medication, have a metabolic disorder, or if they have any kind of mental impairment disorder.

Abbott Laboratories is currently being sued for not adequately warning about these potential Depakote side effects. Patients, especially young children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers must be treated with the full disclosure of what they are inserting into their bodies.

If you believe that you or a loved one have been harmed by Depakote in any way, please visit the Depakote Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Submit your claim, and if your case qualifies for legal action, you will be contacted by a skilled Depakote injury lawyer to discuss your legal options. There are no hidden or out-of-pocket fees. The Depakote injury attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.