It has recently been confirmed that the anticonvulsant drug Depakote, which is sometimes also used to treat bipolar disorder and other psychiatric conditions, can cause serious birth defects such as spina bifida, neural tube malformations, cleft palate, hypospadius, and pulmonary stenosis. This drug is most dangerous when taken during the first trimester, although it can have a harmful effect on fetal development at any stage of pregnancy.
Depakote is manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Abbott Laboratories. Recently filed lawsuits allege that Abbott Laboratories was aware that Depakote could cause serious birth defects but did not provide warning to the public. Additionally, Abbott Laboratories admitted in May 2012 that it had developed a special task force charged with promoting off-label use of the drug to treat schizophrenia and dementia-related aggression even though these uses were not approved by the FDA. The illegal promotion of the drug inspired a criminal investigation which Abbott Laboratories settled by paying the federal and state governments $1.6 billion. To put that number in perspective, Depakote sales amounted to $7.5 billion in 2010 alone.
If you or a family member took Depakote while pregnant and gave birth to a child suffering from severe birth defects you may be entitled to monetary compensation. To learn more about your legal rights, please
contact our experienced Depakote attorneys for a free and confidential consultation.