Depakote Lawsuit and Pregnancy

One of the most popular types of anti-seizure drugs on the market, Depakote, may be linked to the development of severe birth defects among infants exposed to the medication during pregnancy which is leading to Depakote lawsuits. If you or a loved one has suffered from an alleged Depakote birth defect, you may have grounds to file a Depakote lawsuit against manufacturing company, Abbott Laboratories, in order to seek financial compensation for your injuries and the medical expenses associated with injury treatment, as well as the pain and suffering endured by you and your family.

Depakote is one of many anticonvulsant drugs currently on the market. Depakote consists of equal parts valproate sodium and valproic acid and functions by slowing down impulses in the brain which are responsible for seizure-related episodes. The drug is currently manufactured by Abbott Laboratories and has been on the market since 1983, when it was approved for the treatment of epilepsy. In 1995, Depakote was also approved for the treatment of bipolar disorder, and a year later, the FDA added an indication for the prevention of migraine headaches. Since its introduction to the U.S. market, Depakote is estimated to have been prescribed to 2.4 million people across the country. If you were prescribed Depakote and your child suffered a birth defect, you may be able to join the Depakote lawsuit.

Unfortunately, in recent years, a number of studies have surfaced concerning the potential connection between the use of Depakote during pregnancy and serious adverse side effects, particularly the development of birth defects among infants exposed to the drug in utero. More information regarding alleged Depakote birth defects and the process by which to file a Depakote lawsuit can be found below.

Depakote Birth Defects

Despite the fact that Depakote has been an extremely popular method of anticonvulsant treatment since it was originally developed, the birth defects potentially associated with Depakote use during pregnancy may have permanently marred the drug's name. Among these birth defects are:

• Growth retardation
• Fetal valproate syndrome
• Neural tube birth defects
• Spina bifida
• Cleft palate
• Skeletal defects
• Hypoplasia
• Hypoplastic right heart syndrome
• Facial dysmorphism
• Heart malformations
• Hand deformations
• Iniencephaly
• Hydranencephaly
• Fetal death

While some of these birth defects, like hand deformations, are relatively minor and may cause limited complications for an affected child, other malformations, like iniencephaly, hydranencephaly, and other neural tube birth defects are life-threatening and may even lead to fatality. For instance, children with hydranencephaly are born with sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid in place of the cerebral hemispheres. There is no cure for this condition and any treatment options currently available are intended mainly to treat the symptoms of the condition rather than cure the condition itself. Unfortunately, there is little hope of reversing the effects of hydranencephaly, and infants with this condition rarely live longer than one year after birth.

Filing a Depakote Lawsuit

These birth defects have the potential to cause severe, long-term complications for an affected child, including learning difficulties, limb defects, physical paralysis, and even death. If you took Depakote while pregnant and gave birth to a child with one or more major birth defects, fill out the Depakote contact form on this page. You may be entitled to financial reimbursement, which you can collect by filing a Depakote lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories. A Depakote lawsuit can help you hold the allegedly negligent pharmaceutical company responsible for your injuries, while allowing you to collect the compensation you deserve.

FDA Depakote Warnings

The FDA has officially issued a warning to patients and healthcare providers regarding the increased risk of major birth defects in infants exposed to Depakote or valproate sodium in utero. The FDA advisory included birth defects like neural tube birth defects (defects of the brain and spinal cord), cardiovascular malformations (defects of the heart and blood vessels), and craniofacial defects (abnormally formed face and skull).

Previously, the FDA required Depakote manufacturer, Abbott Laboratories, to include a “black box” warning on the Depakote label informing Depakote users about the drug's alleged teratogenicity, a term which means the drug has the potential to disrupt fetal development, causing severe fetal malformations. The FDA also required Abbott to include a medication guide with each Depakote prescription, warning Depakote users about the potentially harmful nature of the anticonvulsant drug.

The FDA has classified Depakote as a pregnancy category D medication, which means the drug has the potential to cause significant, unreasonable harm to a human fetus if taken during pregnancy. If you are currently taking Depakote and you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult your physician as soon as possible. It is never advised to discontinue use of a prescription medication without medical consent, as this may cause further adverse complications. You can, however, discuss alternative treatment options with your doctor in order to find a safer way to treat your medical condition.

Depakote Lawsuits

The major birth defects potentially associated with the use of Depakote may rob a child of his right to live a happy and healthy life. However, with proper medical care and the right resources, you may be able to restore your child's quality of life. Unfortunately, the medical expenses and emotional distress resulting from treating one or more birth defects can be incredibly overwhelming for a victim's family. Pharmaceutical companies are responsible for the safety of their medications, and should be held accountable for the adverse side effects of their products. Unfortunately this isn't always the case; some drug manufacturing companies actually withhold information regarding the potentially dangerous nature of their drugs in order to avoid a recall or other negative consequences. The only way to protect your child's rights and receive the financial compensation you deserve is to file a Depakote lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories.

If your child has been diagnosed with a potential Depakote birth defect, you should be given adequate time to concentrate on supporting your child and treating the injury. You shouldn't have to worry about gathering evidence, medical reports, and insurance documentation in order to develop a Depakote lawsuit as well. With the help of a qualified Depakote attorney, you can ensure that your Depakote lawsuit will be professionally and effectively represented.