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Depakote®
Florida Drug Injury Lawyers
Depakote® is a drug prescribed to treat seizures, migraine headaches, and some psychiatric disorders. Depakote's chemical name is valproate and it has been on the market since 1983.
Depakote has been linked to serious birth defects in some children. The Massachusetts General Hospital released a report revealing women taking Depakote had four times the risk of delivering a child with major birth defects, compared to women taking other, similar drugs (1).
Spina Bifida
The range of birth defects associated with Depakote is broad, however the report specifically cited neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Neural tube defects are birth defects that affect the brain and spinal cord; spinal bifida is a defect affecting the spinal cord that causes paralysis of the legs. There is no known cure.
Depakote Side Effects
Common side effects of Depakote use are listed as:
- changes in menstrual period
- depression, anxiety, or other emotional changes
- diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach
- drowsiness or weakness
- enlarged breasts
- hair loss
- red, blistering, peeling skin rash
- tremor (shaking)
- unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth
- vision changes
- weight changes
Some are serious side effects that require immediate doctor notification, including:
- blood in the urine
- double vision or back-and-forth movements of the eyes
- easy bruising or bleeding and unusual weakness
- extreme drowsiness
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
- fever, skin rash, swollen glands
- hallucinations
- red, blistering, peeling skin rash
- unexplained weakness with vomiting and confusion or fainting
- urinating less than usual
- weakness, lack of coordination
We Want to Help
If you or someone you care about took Depakote and had a child born with spina bifida or any other major birth defect, call our birth injury lawyers or fill out a free online consultation form. We want to help you and your family get the compensation you deserve.
Source:
"Study finds anticonvulsant drug poses greater birth-defect risk than suspected," from the Massachusetts General Hospital News and Information section. Accessed 7/15/09.
Depakote® is a registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories and is used here only to identify the product in question. This law firm is not associated with, sponsored by, or affiliated with Abbott Laboratories, the Food and Drug Administration, or The Massachusetts General Hospital.