DEPAKOTE SIDE EFFECTS. FILING A DEPAKOTE LAWSUIT.
Depakote is primarily prescribed for the prevention of seizures. Generically known as Divalproex Sodium or Valproic Acid, as well as treating conditions such as epilepsy, the drug can be used to treat migraines. Commonly, also, it may be prescribed to patients with bipolar disorder, depending on the stage of the disorder. Providing effective relief for these conditions for many, in some cases, Depakote has also been associated with various side effects. Amongst Depakote side effects, depression, headaches, coughing, diarrhea, bleeding, and bruising are just some that have been reported in patients that use the anti-convulsant. In addition, certain studies have emerged that include Depakote side effects as grave as birth defects, in babies born to mothers who were taking the drug. This particular side effect has of late been the subject of several Depakote lawsuits filed against Abbott Laboratories by over two dozen parents. The Depakote lawsuits allege that the anti-epileptic medication caused birth defects in the children of these parents.
Depakote Side Effects Birth Defects
Although marketed as early as the 1970s, birth defects were not branded by the FDA as Depakote side effects until 2009. It was reported by the Saint Clair Record that one of the drug's generic ingredients, Valproic Acid, could potentially cause serious birth defects in babies to women in their first trimester of pregnancy. Interestingly, Depakote dangers were listed in the medication packet. These Depakote warnings included a Black Box warning for fetal harm, known as teratogenicity. There were also Depakote toxicity warnings for conditions such as hepatotoxicity (liver damage), pancreatitis (infection or inflammation of the pancreas). Yet the Depakote lawsuits allege that little was done on the part of the drug's manufacturer to update the Depakote labeling. Concern over Depakote side effects, in particular, the drug's link to birth defects, was raised last year in June, 2010, following a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine. The study found among Depakote side effects that taking the drug heightened the risk of six different birth defects. The birth defects the study highlighted are:
- Cleft palate
- Polydactyly (extra fingers or toes)
- Craniostosis (one or more suture in the skull prematurely close)
- Spina Bifida
- Atrial Septal Defect (a hole in the heart);
- Hypospadias (an abnormality in the opening of the urethra in boys)
The New England Journal of Medicine study was published not long after the FDA issued Depakote warnings (not a Depakote recall) on the association of birth defect risks with taking Depakote. The FDA expressed the risk of neural tube defects in babies born in women who took Depakote was high; the risk increasing to 1 in 20 babies.
Depakote Litigation
Depakote lawsuits deal with Depakote side effects. More than 2 dozen parents who have already filed a Depakote lawsuit claim that the drug caused their children to be born with birth defects. The Depakote lawsuit alleges that Abbott Laboratories, the manufacturer of Depakote, minimized the risks of the drug, and avoided updating the drugs labeling. Moreover, the Depakote lawsuit accuses the drugs manufacturer of concealing the adverse Depakote Side Effects in a deceptive fasion, as well as having developed a defective medication, through producing Depakote.
Contact a Depakote birth defect attorney today.
Davis & Crump is now handling claims for mothers of children who have suffered a birth defect after using Depakote. Davis & Crump is experienced in pharmaceutical product liability cases and settlements. If you or a loved one has a child with a birth defect which you believe was caused by Depakote, contact us at 1-800-277-0300 or send us an email at info@daviscrump.com.