More Depakote Birth Defects Lawsuits Filed

Madison, WIAnother lawsuit has been filed against the maker of Depakote, alleging Depakote birth defects in babies who were exposed to the anticonvulsant prior to birth. The number of Depakote lawsuits continues to grow, alleging serious Depakote side effects to newborn babies.

The most recent lawsuit was filed by a group of 26 women, according to an article in The Record (02/10/11). The women, with lead plaintiff Noelle Book, allege they took Depakote while pregnant and later gave birth to infants with a range of birth defects, from spina bifida to heart problems. The lawsuit states that Depakote can cause serious birth defects if it is taken during the first trimester of pregnancy.

The plaintiffs allege that Abbott Laboratories, maker of Depakote, knew about the risks associated with its anticonvulsant drug but downplayed those risks, resulting in harm to the infants.

Late in 2010, two-dozen parents filed a lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories, alleging their children also suffered from Depakote birth defects. According to the lawsuit, Depakote is reportedly linked to neural tube defects—such as spina bifida—malformations of the hand and finger, and heart defects. The lawsuit alleges that Abbott Laboratories continued marketing Depakote while downplaying the risks of birth defects.

Depakote has also reportedly been linked to an increased risk of genital deformations in infants exposed to the drug prior to birth. One such deformation is called hypospadia and involves the opening of the urethra in the wrong place.

Some health problems, such as pancreatitis, might affect both adults and children exposed to Depakote.

In addition to allegations that it downplayed the risk of serious birth defects associated with Depakote, Abbott Laboratories also faces allegations that it marketed its drug for off-label uses. The company is alleged to have marketed Depakote for the treatment of dementia, Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia, even though it is not approved to treat those conditions.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies Depakote as pregnancy category D because it can reportedly cause serious birth defects.