Despite Positive Study, Depakote Side Effects Still Exist

Zurich, SwitzerlandA recent study suggests that adding an older seizure drug to standard treatment can help extend the lives of people suffering from the brain cancer glioblastoma, but the fact remains that Depakote side effects still present a serious health issue.

According to WebMD, the study, which was published in the journal Neurology, found that the addition of Depakote (valproic acid) could allow patients suffering from the lethal brain cancer to live an average of three months longer.

The news source reports that glioblastoma is the most common form of brain cancer seen in adults, with patients living an average of 15 to 18 months after being diagnosed with the condition.

The study, which was conducted by Dr. Michael Weller of University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, and his colleagues, found that of the 398 patients examined who were also taking seizure medications, the 97 who used Depakote lived an average of three months longer than those using other similar medications.

"Three months is huge," Dr. Keith L. Black, chair of the neurosurgery department at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, told the news source. Black added that additional studies were needed to truly pinpoint the potential benefits.

According to the news provider, while the study reflects a positive aspect of the seizure medication, Depakote side effects were still witnessed. Such side effects included a drop in white blood cell count, potentially increasing the risk of infection, as well as a drop in blood platelets, which can elevate the risk of bleeding.

Additionally, the survival extension was only seen in patients who had also undergone both radiation and chemotherapy, in addition to taking Depakote, the news source said.

The side effects of Depakote have been well-documented, with a number of lawsuits having been filed against Abbott Laboratories. In many instances, plaintiffs have claimed that the use of Depakote during pregnancy can lead to birth defects such as spina bifida and developmental delays.

In a December 2009 release from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the federal agency noted that the use of Depakote during pregnancy does, in fact, appear to increase the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida. In fact, the rate of major defects in babies born to women taking valproic acid was found to be nearly four times higher than the rate for children born to mothers taking different antiepileptic medications, the FDA noted.