Researcher Advises Women to Avoid Depakote During Pregnancy if Possible
By John Curran
Many women have unwittingly put their children at risk for Depakote birth defects after taking the medication to treat their epilepsy or bipolar disorder. While drug maker Abbott Laboratories is facing mounting birth defect claims, Dr. Chris Stodgell recommends that women should avoid the medication if they are looking to become pregnant.
According to Your News Now (YNN), he has performed research on the medication for years and says that it is fairly clear what damage the epilepsy treatment can do to a fetus in the womb. Stodgell is currently working on the “why” of Depakote autism side effects, although other scientists have established a strong correlative link between the drug, whose chemical name is valproic acid, and a number of birth defect problems.
The good news, many Depakote lawsuit attorneys would note, is that there are alternatives to this medication, including generics that may be as inexpensive as the Abbott Laboratories product, for both epilepsy and bipolar disorder. It is important for women who are looking to get pregnant to consult with their doctors and carefully consider the risks, however.
Both conditions can be difficult to treat and it may take attempts with several different drugs to find the right fit. However, doing so can be critical. In the YNN report, Stodgell notes that damage like Depakote birth defects can occur as soon as three weeks into one’s pregnancy. However, reducing the dosage may also limit problems, he says.
Other researchers have noted that medications with similar profiles to valproic acid have a high rate of problems for children born to women who take them. The British Broadcasting Corporation recently reported that perhaps 20,000 out of 50,000 pregnancies for women who took the valproic drugs had problems like autism side effects.
Growing knowledge may not do much for families who are trying to raise a child with mental disabilities and conditions as a result of these medications. One way to get help with medical bills and other assistance may be to pursue a legal remedy against Abbott Pharmaceuticals along with many other women and families.
Get started with a free consultation with a Depakote lawsuit attorney at the Depakote Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Learn whether or not you are eligible to file a claim and get started towards the path to the jury award or settlement that the facts of your potential case merit.
Updated April 29th, 2013
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