For Women on Depakote, pregnancy brings terrible risks

If you are taking Depakote,you should be aware of the risk. The FDA has recently warned that use of Depakote during pregnancy increases the risk of your child developing Spina Bifida.

Though debilitating and painful, a migraine does not pose the same threat to mother and child as a seizure or a manic episode does, which makes the standard advice for pregnant migraine-sufferers more clear cut than the advice for an expectant mother with epilepsy or bipolar disorder.

Whatever your condition, Depakote is a serious drug that doctors and the FDA take seriously. If your use of Depakote resulted in a birth defect, you may want to consult a lawyer to discuss your options. Weitz & Luxenberg have been helping people harmed by pharmaceuticals for over twenty years, and if you have any questions about your situation, contact us at 1-800-476-6070 or fill out a form on this page.

For migraine sufferers taking Depakote, pregnancy can be very painful

In a doctor-reviewed article on Migraine.com, the author unequivocally states that “Depakote should not be taken by women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant because it can cause serious deformities.” (1) Migraine sufferers have found Depakote to be effective in preventing migraines, but not in treating migraines.

In a clinical trial testing Depakote's effectiveness in preventing migraines, patients with migraines who took Depakote ER had half as many migraines in a four-week period as those who were given the placebo. (1) But the benefit does not outweigh the risk, and for expectant mothers who suffer from migraines, the conventional wisdom is to suffer rather than risk the child's life.

For epileptics on Depakote, pregnancy is a time of worry

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists Depakote and other forms of valproate in Pregnancy Category D. Category D means there is clear evidence of risk to the fetus, but the benefits may outweigh the risk for pregnant women who have a serious condition like epilepsy.

Complicating the situation is the fact that “about 20% to 35% of women have seizures more often during pregnancy because of changes in hormones or changes in how valproate is handled by the body.” (2) Doctors recommend that expectant epileptics have their blood levels of valproate checked regularly during pregnancy so that the dosage can be adjusted as needed.

The babies of women taking Depakote have a greater than usual number of minor craniofacial abnormalities (often a cleft lip or cleft palate), organ malformations, limb deficiencies, or developmental delay. (2) The risk of defects is higher for women who take more than one anti-epileptic drugs, and for women with a family history of birth defects.

Higher doses and peak blood levels of valproate appear to be associated with some defects, so preventive measures may include:

• Use of a different anti-epileptic medication
• lower dosage of valproate
• prescribing smaller doses taken more often (or extended-release Depakote ER) to avoid high peak blood level.

For women with epilepsy, Depakote is a blessing and a curse, and though its FDA classification indicates that Depakote's benefits outweigh its risks, not everyone can agree with that.

For bipolar expectant mothers on Depakote, pregnancy is a time of perilous balance

Just as epileptic women were found to suffer more frequent seizures due to changes in hormones and how the body interacts with the drug, bipolar Depakote users often find during pregnancy that their hormones interact with the drugs, and with their illness, in unpredictable ways.

Because of this unpredictable nature of bipolar disorder and epilepsy, the advice for expectant mothers is very similar: stay in close contact with your doctor, lower your Depakote intake to the lowest effective levels, and take a lot of folic acid to counteract the risk of neural tube defects. (3)

But the fact is that despite folic acid supplements and lowered Depakote dosages and frequent check-ups, Depakote remains a risk to children while they are in the womb, and to the mother in some cases.

If Depakote caused a terminated pregnancy or harmed your child, you can take action

If your child was harmed by the Depakote in your bloodstream, if you lost a child in utero due to complications related to Depakote, or if you are otherwise suffering from the side effects of Depakote, you have legal options.

If you have been considering seeking compensation for your losses, contact Weitz & Luxenberg for a free consultation. It costs nothing to seek information, and we only collect a fee if we win a case or settlement in your favor.

Acknowledgments:

1. http://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/depakote-and-depakote-er/

2. http://professionals.epilepsy.com/medications/p_depakote_pregnancy.html

3. http://bipolar-disorder.emedtv.com/depakote/depakote-and-pregnancy.html

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see also:

Spina Bifida The Depakote-spina bifida relationship
Depakote use by pregnant mothers has been linked to Spina Bifida FDA warns. Weitz & Luxenberg can help you file your Depakote lawsuit.

Depakote and Migraines When you take Depakote, migraines are less frequent, but are the side effects worth it?
Depakote, a drug prescribed for migraines, has been proven to cause birth defects in children whose mothers take it while pregnant.

Depakote Have you or your child experienced Depakote side effects?
Depakote is associated with several side effects. However, if you took Depakote while pregnant, you child could be at risk for birth defects.