Depakote Birth Defects
Depakote Side Effects May Lead To Birth Defects Lawsuits
Depakote Side Effects, Potential Lawsuits: Cognitive Development Impairment Risk, Birth Defects, Spina Bifida, Atrial Septal Defect, Cleft Palate, Hypospadias, Polydactyly, Craniosynostosis, Mental Deficits, Craniofacial Defects, Cardiovascular Malformations
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. Depakote may also be prescribed to patients with bipolar disorder, depending on the stage of the disorder. Proving effective in aiding these conditions for many, in some cases, Depakote has been associated with various side effects. Depakote side effects include: depression, headaches, coughing, diarrhea, bleeding, and bruising are just some that have been reported in patients that used the anticonvulsant. 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.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has recently stated that Valproate Sodium and related drugs carry new warning labels that children exposed to these drugs during gestation have an increased risk of cognitive development impairment.
Depakote Side Effects Associated With 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 lawsuit alleges 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 were: will evaluate your personal case and determine whether you are eligible to file a Depakote lawsuit, so you get the compensation you deserve. This could be for costly medical bills and treatment, or for the pain and suffering you endured. Our Depakote attorneys are awaiting your inquiry.
- Cleft palate
- Polydactyly (extra fingers or toes)
- Craniostosis (one or more sutures 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 to women who took Depakote was high the risk increasing to 1in 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 class action Depakote lawsuit, filed on December 15th, alleges that Abbott Laboratories, the manufacturer of Depakote, minimized the risks of the drug and avoided updating the drug's labeling. Moreover, the Depakote lawsuit accuses the drug's manufacturer of concealing the adverse Depakote side effects in a deceptive fashion, as well as having developed a defective medication, through producing Depakote. If you or a someone you know gave birth to a baby with birth defects and believe it was linked to taking Depakote, you may have valuable legal rights.
Legal Help For Victims Affected By Depakote
To get a free case evaluation from a qualified Depakote lawyer, simply fill in the form on the right and a Depakote lawyer at the personal injury law firm of Parker Waichman LLP will get right back to you or call us at 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
