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Depakote and Birth Defects

depakoteDepakote (divalproex), an anticonvulsant, is prescribed for the treatment of pediatric epilepsy. Depakote is also prescribed as a mood stabilizer for patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

A study conducted over a period of seven years at five Boston area hospitals, involving more than 1,000 single births, has determined that 20.6% of infants whose mothers had taken an anticonvulsant during pregnancy had major birth defects. Babies born to mothers who had taken more than one antidepressant during their pregnancy were born with major birth defects in 28% of the cases. The study also found that the percentage of major birth defects in the control group was only 8.5%.

Depakote Articles

Depakote linked to Serious Birth Defects and Death
study released last year has shown that the effects of Depakote can be devastating for newborns exposed to the drug before birth. The study, released in the August 8, 2006 issue of Neurology, found that major congenital malformations and fetal death were more common for women who took Depakote while pregnant compared with women who took other antiepileptic drugs.

Depakote: A Brief History
Since 1983, Depakote has been marketed in the United States as a medication for the treatment of epilepsy. More than two million Americans have some form of epilepsy, and 125,000 new cases of epilepsy are reported each year. For the drug maker, Abbott Laboratories, sales were brisk, but there were other markets to tap into - also known as "off-label" use.

Depakote Adversely Prescribed
Off-Label Depakote Sales Stronger Than Ever
Consequences of Rampant Off-Label Prescribing of Depakote
Depakote Warning: Do Not Get Pregnant


Depakote in the News

May-04-07 According to a new study, women who took an epilepsy drug during their pregnancy are at greater risk of having children with lower IQ. Taking the drug valproate seems to double the chance that the woman's child will be born with mental retardation. [WEB MD: Epilepsy Drug Linked to Low IQ]


Depakote Side Effects Lawsuit

If you or a family member have taken Depakote and have subsequently had a child with birth defects, you may be eligible for compensation. Please click the link below to send your complaint to a lawyer who will review your claim at no charge.


Posted on Nov-28-04
Updated on May-4-07

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