Depakote is used to treat long-term manic and depressive parts of rapidly-cycling bipolar disorder, migraines, epilepsy and chronic pain associated with nervous system diseases. Marketed by Abbott Laboratories, Depakote is a widely used drug. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be aware of the risks to the fetus. Use of Depakote during pregnancy can cause congenital malformations including neural tube defects and other deformities.
Depakote Side Effects
Severe Depakote side effects may include:
- Malformations
- Intrauterine growth retardation
- Neural tube closure defects
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Atrial septal defects
- Pulmonary stenosis
- Hypoplastic right heart
- Dysplastic ribs
- Cleft palate
- Hand malformations
- Hydronephrosis (distention and dilation of the renal pelvis)
- Undescended testes
- Hypospadias (male birth defect that involves the urethral opening occurring in the wrong place)
- Skeletal defects
- Spina bifida
- Spina bifida occulta
- Spina bifida closed neural tube defects
- Spina bifida meningocele
- Spina bifida myelomeningocele (cystica)
- Anencephaly
- Rachischisis
- Death of the newborn
Speak to a Depakote Lawyer
If your child was born with severe birth defects that may have resulted from taking Depakote during pregnancy, contact our law firm immediately to discuss your legal options. Speak to a lawyer about your child’s skeletal defects, spina bifida, growth retardation or other injuries and learn about what legal options are available to your family. Our law firm has represented thousands of clients over the last twenty five years and thoroughly understands drug litigation. Contact an attorney today for a free and confidential Depakote lawsuit evaluation.
