In 2011, R. Shallcross et al. published a report in Neurology that compared the safety of two antiepileptic drugs, levetiracetam and sodium valproate (Depacon Depakene, Depakote, others), for a developing fetus. Shallcross et al. (2011) compared the health of 51 children that had been exposed to levetiracetam while in the womb to 44 children that had been exposed to sodium valproate.
After rigorous statistical analyses, Shalcross et al. (2011) found that children exposed to levetiracetam did not cause a significant drop in a child’s development quotient, while the development of 40% of children exposed to sodium valproate was “below average” after two years.
While this study shows that sodium valproate (Depacon, others) is more dangerous for a developing fetus than is levetiracetam, it does not fully illuminate the true danger of using sodium valproate while pregnant.
Since the publication of this study, a great deal of research has shown an association between Depacon and severe birth defects. Cardiac birth defects, neurologic birth defects, and craniofacial birth defects have all been associated with prenatal exposure to Depacon.
Due to the fact that the manufacturer of Depacon has time and again failed to clearly warn the users of its product of the risks it carries for developing babies, a number of Depacon lawsuits have been filed around the country.
If you or a loved one used Depacon and your child was born with a congenital malformation, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation from the manufacturer of Depacon through a Depacon Lawsuit.
For more information on Depacon and Depacon lawsuits, please feel free to call or e-mail our team of Depacon lawyers at the information provided below.
(855) 452-5529
Our Depacon Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about Depacon.