South Carolina Man Files Depakote Birth Defect Lawsuit

Depakote, also known as valproate, is prescribed to treat epilepsy, manic depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and migraine headaches. Along with other valproic acid (VPA)-based drugs, Depakote has been associated with birth defects, cognitive deficits, and an increased risk of autism, according to clinical studies that have been conducted over the last 40 years.

“Two recent FDA warnings related to use of VPA in pregnancy emphasize the need to reevaluate its use clinically during child-bearing years,” researchers with the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada said. “The emerging clinical evidence showing a link between VPA exposure and both cognitive function and risk of autism brings to the forefront the importance of understanding how VPA exposure influences neurodevelopment.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in 2009 that there was an increased risk of neural tube birth defects, such as spina bifida, and other congenital abnormalities in children of mothers who took Depakote and other VPA-based drugs while pregnant.

In addition to these serious side effects, the FDA released a report in June 2011 that found that children born to mothers who took Depakote and other VPA drugs had lower IQ scores and other cognitive deficits more often than children of mothers who took other drugs to treat epilepsy.

The FDA had the labels on all VPA-based drugs updated at that point to show “the risk of impaired cognitive development in children born to mothers who took valproate sodium or related products during pregnancy.”

In January of this year, The Lancelot Neurology journal published a study that confirmed the FDA’s report. They found that children exposed to Depakote in the womb had lower IQ scores than children of mothers who didn’t take any seizure medication or took a different type of seizure medication. The results were the same when the children were tested at age 3 and again at age 6.

Depakote birth defect plaintiffs argue that Abbot Laboratories Inc., the maker of Depakote, should have known the risks of taking the drug during pregnancy and made those risks known to the FDA.

Despite these risks, the FDA believes that the benefits of Depakote and other VPA-based drugs for treating epilepsy and other disorders are worth keeping the drugs on the market. However, caution should be taken when using these drugs while pregnant, and patients should discuss the risks with their doctors before doing so.

If you or anyone you know suffers from birth defects as a result of their mother taking Depakote during pregnancy, there are legal options available. Learn more and get a free legal consultation regarding a claim’s eligibility at the Depakote Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. Experienced legal professionals have access to medical experts to assess whether or not this anti-seizure medication played a role in the development of your birth defect or other cognitive deficiencies, so act now.