Background information on Depakote / Depakene / Depacon / Stavzor:
- Ingredient: valproic acid (valproate)
- Manufactured by AbbVie Inc. (formerly Abbott)
- Used either alone or with other medicines to treat:
- manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder
- complex partial seizures in adults and children 10+ years of age
- migraine headaches
- simple and complex absence seizures, with or without other seizure types
Possible Fetal Side Effects:
- Major congenital malformations, particularly neural tube defects (e.g., spina bifida)
- Decreased IQ scores following in utero exposure
- Increased rates of other major congenital malformations, such as craniofacial and cardiovascular defects. For example:
- cleft palate
- heart defects (such as atrial septal defect)
- polydactyly (multiple fingers or toes)
- craniosynostosis (premature closure of sutures in skull)
- hypospadias (abnormal location of urethra in males)
Basis of Medical Malpractice Cases:
- The patient should not have been prescribed Depakote / Depakene / Depacon / Stavzor
- The doctor did not adequately warn the patient of the possible side effects of Depakote / Depakene / Depacon / Stavzor
Recent Articles by Legal Assistant Heather Helmendach on the Drug Safety Developments Blog:
- Should I have been prescribed Depakote / Depakene / Depacon?
- Was I properly warned about the side effects of Depakote/Depakene/Depacon?
Free Case Evaluation: Depakote / Depakene / Depacon / Stavzor >>