Depakote Side Effects

Severe Depakote side effects include:

• Spina Bifida - A serious congenital neurological birth defect that occurs in an unborn child (fetus) when the tissue surrounding the developing spinal cord doesn't close properly. It is characterized by the incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or meninges. Spina bifida is the most common form of neural tube defect in the United States—affecting 1,500 to 2,000 of the more than 4 million babies born each year. There are four types of spina bifida: occulta, closed neural tube defects, meningocele, and myelomeningocele.


• Facial Dysmorphism - A facial dysmorphism birth defect, which can include such manifestations as facial clefts, eyes too closely or widely spaced, deformed ears, eyes mismatched in color, and facial asymmetries, can be devastating to the parents and the child affected. Surgery, dental care, psychological counseling, and rehabilitation may help to ameliorate the problems but often at great cost and over many years. No single cause has been identified for facial dysmorphism, but the development of the face and skull is coordinated by complex morphogenetic events, and is highly susceptible to teratogenic drugs (anti-epileptics such as Depakote, Depakene, Depakote ER, Depakote Sprinkle, Divalproex Sodium, Valproate Sodium and Valproic Acid), environmental and genetic factors.


• Hand and Arm Deformities - Birth defect abnormalities of the hand, arm and possibly other extremities that a child is born with, that can interfere with the growth and use of that limb or limbs. There are different types of birth defects that affect the hand and arm. One of the most common is syndactyly, in which two or more fingers are fused together. Other common defects include short, missing or deformed fingers and arms, tendons that don't move or abnormal nerves or blood vessels. With modern surgical techniques, many of these defects may be corrected early - sometimes in infancy and in other cases before the age of three.


• Skeletal Defects (Spinal Defects) - Congenital abnormalities in the growth and development of a baby's spine and or skeletal structure involving bones, joints and cartilage. Specific birth defects which can occur may include such congenital skeletal anomalies of the spine (or vertebral anomalies) as fused ribs, malformed joints, malformed shoulder blades, missing collarbones, or missing vertebrae, particularly in the spinal region. No single cause has been identified for skeletal - spinal defects. As with other congenital birth defects, the development of the skeleton and spine is coordinated by complex morphogenetic events, and is highly susceptible to teratogenic drugs (anti-epileptics such as Depakote, Depakene, Depakote ER, Depakote Sprinkle, Divalproex Sodium, Valproate Sodium and Valproic Acid), environmental and genetic factors.


• Craniofacial Deformities - Congenital birth defects involving abnormalities in the growth and development of a baby's face and/or the head. Congenital craniofacial defects may result in abnormal growth and development patterns of the face and skull, involving soft tissue and bones. While no single cause has been identified for these types of deformities, the development of the face and skull is coordinated by complex morphogenetic events, and is thus highly susceptible to teratogenic drugs (anti-epileptics such as Depakote, Depakene, Depakote ER, Depakote Sprinkle, Divalproex Sodium, Valproate Sodium and Valproic Acid), environmental and genetic factors.


• Cleft Palate - A condition in which the two plates of the skull that fuse to form the hard palate (roof of the mouth) are not completely joined. This may or may not also include a cleft lip. This congenital birth defect connects the mouth directly to the nasal cavity, resulting in velopharyngeal inadequacy, where air leaks into the nasal cavity resulting in a hypernasal voice resonance and nasal emissions. During the development of the face in the first six to eight weeks of pregnancy, the shape of the embryo's head is formed through a series of complex morphogenetic events and is highly susceptible to teratogenic drugs (such as Depakote), environmental and genetic factors.


• Limb Reduction Defects - Upper and lower limb size reduction defects occur when a part of or the entire arm (upper limb) or leg (lower limb) of a fetus fails to form completely during pregnancy. The defect is referred to as a “limb reduction” because a limb is reduced from its normal size or is missing. Some babies will have both upper and lower limb size reduction defects. The cause of limb reduction defects is unknown. However, research has shown that certain behaviors or exposures during pregnancy can increase the risk of having a baby with a limb reduction defect, including: exposure of the mother to certain chemicals or viruses while pregnant, and exposure to certain teratogenic medications, like Depakote, Depakene, Depakote ER, Depakote Sprinkle, Divalproex Sodium, Valproate Sodium and Valproic Acid.

Speak to a Depakote Lawyer

The Willis Law firm has represented clients in Pharmaceutical Product Liability and Personal Injury litigation for over 25 years. We thoroughly understand the pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical product-liability drug litigation. You are not alone. If your child was born with Spina Bifida or other major congenital neural tube and skeletal malformations that may have resulted from your being prescribed and taking Depakote during pregnancy, please contact our law firm immediately to discuss your legal options. Please keep in mind that certain states have a statute of limitations regarding the amount of time you have to seek legal action.

The Willis Law Firm has been responsible for recovering significant settlements and verdicts for our clients. Financial recoveries can never bring back a loved one, but can help families deal with the financial stress associated with a life-changing injury or illness. They may also help prevent similar injuries to others in the future by holding pharmaceutical companies responsible today. Consulting a skilled and experienced pharmaceutical products-liability attorney is your first step in receiving the justice you and your family deserve. Contact us today for a free and confidential Depakote Side Effects lawsuit evaluation.