Class Action Lawsuits For Depakote Birth Defects Increase
On March 22, 2011, the third of a series of Depakote birth defect lawsuits was filed in St. Clair County, Wisconsin by parents alleging that the drug caused birth defects in their children. The most recent suit was filed by a Mr. Myles Brumfield who alleges that his clients were prescribed Depakote during their pregnancies despite the fact that the active ingredient in the drug (valproic acid) has been linked to severe birth defects in children exposed during fetal development.
This action follows two earlier suits in the same county court, class action Depakote lawsuits which also accuse the makers of the drug - Abbott Laboratories - of improper labelling practices. The plaintiffs allege that Abbott failed to adequately label the drug in regards to the potential birth defect risk. As a result, the women were prescribed, and took, the drug during their pregnancies and their children were born with birth defectst that they believe to be related.
The epilepsy medication Depakote has been approved for the treatement of convulsions related to seizure conditions such as epilepsy since the early 1980's. It is frequently used for the off-label treatment of migraine headaches, bipolar manic episodes and aggression in the elderly.
The FDA has ranked Depakote a class D drug, meaning that there has been significant evidence in human trials that the drug poses a threat to a fetus if used during pregnancy. The Depakote birth defect risk may be so high that the FDA recommends it is used only as a last resort if no other viable options exist for the mother.
Birth defects allegedly related to the use of Depakote or valproic acid include neural tube malformations - most commonly, spina bifida, as well as craniofacial defects, cleft palate, cleft lip, hydranencephaly, iniencephaly, growth retardation, mental retardation, autism and fetal death.
Spina bifida from Depakote is one of the most severe of the potential birth defects and occurs when the neural tube, which surrounds the spinal cord, fails to develop properly in a fetus. Spina bifida can result in life-long disabilities for the affected child, leaving them to deal with mental and physical disabilities and difficulties.
The March of Dimes estimates the lifetime cost of supporting a child with spina bifida to exceed upwards of $300,000.00. This financial burden has spurred some afflicted families to seek compensation for birth defects from Depakote, to help with medical costs related to these malformations.
This action follows two earlier suits in the same county court, class action Depakote lawsuits which also accuse the makers of the drug - Abbott Laboratories - of improper labelling practices. The plaintiffs allege that Abbott failed to adequately label the drug in regards to the potential birth defect risk. As a result, the women were prescribed, and took, the drug during their pregnancies and their children were born with birth defectst that they believe to be related.
The epilepsy medication Depakote has been approved for the treatement of convulsions related to seizure conditions such as epilepsy since the early 1980's. It is frequently used for the off-label treatment of migraine headaches, bipolar manic episodes and aggression in the elderly.
The FDA has ranked Depakote a class D drug, meaning that there has been significant evidence in human trials that the drug poses a threat to a fetus if used during pregnancy. The Depakote birth defect risk may be so high that the FDA recommends it is used only as a last resort if no other viable options exist for the mother.
Birth defects allegedly related to the use of Depakote or valproic acid include neural tube malformations - most commonly, spina bifida, as well as craniofacial defects, cleft palate, cleft lip, hydranencephaly, iniencephaly, growth retardation, mental retardation, autism and fetal death.
Spina bifida from Depakote is one of the most severe of the potential birth defects and occurs when the neural tube, which surrounds the spinal cord, fails to develop properly in a fetus. Spina bifida can result in life-long disabilities for the affected child, leaving them to deal with mental and physical disabilities and difficulties.
The March of Dimes estimates the lifetime cost of supporting a child with spina bifida to exceed upwards of $300,000.00. This financial burden has spurred some afflicted families to seek compensation for birth defects from Depakote, to help with medical costs related to these malformations.
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