A 2005 article in Acta Neurologica Scandinavica by F.J. Vajda and a team from University of Melbourne (Australia) titled “Maternal valproate dosage and foetal malformations.” further elucidates the connection between prenatal exposure to antiepileptic drugs like Depacon and birth defects.  Because the manufacturers (Abbott Laboratories) failed to warn women of this risk in light of warnings from the U.S.FDA, class-action Depacon lawsuits have been filed around the world.

Here, Vajda et al. (2005) aimed to “study the possible dose dependence of the foetal malformation rate after exposure to sodium valproate in pregnancy.”  To be clear, sodium valproate is the active chemical in Depacon, Depakene, and Depakote.

Studying “records of all foetuses in the Australian Registry of Antiepileptic Drugs in Pregnancy exposed to valproate, to carbamazepine, lamotrigine or phenytoin in the absence of valproate, and to no antiepileptic drugs”, the team found that “The foetal malformation rate was higher (P<0.05) in the 110 foetuses exposed to valproate alone (17.1%) …  than in the 297 exposed to the other drugs without valproate (2.4%). It was also higher (P<0.10) than in the 40 not exposed to antiepileptic drugs (2.5%).”

It was also found that “the malformation rate in those exposed to valproate increased with increasing maternal drug dosage,” meaning that the more Depacon a women took in pregnancy, for example, the higher the likelihood that her child be born with a congenital malformation.

Concluding, “Foetal exposure to valproate during pregnancy is associated with particularly high, and dose-dependent risks of malformation compared with other antiepileptic drugs, and may possibly involve different teratogenetic mechanisms”, this article can be used in a Depacon birth defect lawsuit to demonstrate to court that Abbott knew, or should have known, that Depacon (also Depakene and Depakote) are linked to birth defects.

If you or a loved one used Depacon, Depakote, or Depakene during pregnancy and your child was born with a congenital malformation or had perinatal complications, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation.  For a free, no-obligation case consultation, contact our team of Depacon birth defect lawyers at the information provided below.  We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve.  Call today and see how we can help.

(855) 452 – 5528

justinian@dangerousdrugs.us

Our Depacon Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about Depacon.