{"id":353243,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:56","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/product-liability\/depakote-faq.html"},"modified":"2023-11-16T13:27:57","modified_gmt":"2023-11-16T18:27:57","slug":"depakote-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/product-liability\/depakote-faq.html","title":{"rendered":"Depakote: Side Effects, Lawsuits, and FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Depakote: Side Effects, Lawsuits, and FAQ<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Oni Harton, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Depakote carries serious risks, especially for pregnant women, including birth defects and pancreatitis. These risks led to FDA black box warnings. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against Abbott Laboratories for failing to adequately warn about these dangers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Depakote (divalproex sodium) is an anticonvulsant drug and mood stabilizer used to treat conditions such as epilepsy, bipolar disorder, and migraines. Depakote is also known as\u00a0valproic acid<\/a>. It prevents the breakdown of the brain chemical GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).<\/p>\n

In recent years, experts have linked Depakote to adverse side effects. Specifically, plaintiffs claim that this medication leads to an increased risk of congenital disabilities. In this article, you’ll find information about these side effects, FDA warnings, and lawsuits related to Depakote.<\/p>\n

Drug manufacturers have a legal responsibility to ensure their products are safe for use and carry adequate warnings. If you have been harmed by Depakote or another drug, you have legal rights. Contact a product liability attorney<\/a> near you to discuss your situation and explore your options.<\/p>\n

How Does Depakote Work?<\/h2>\n

GABA is a calming agent in the brain. Its presence keeps the brain cells from firing signals too rapidly. If there’s too little GABA in the brain, the brain cells can become overactive, causing brain activity to become overstimulated. GABA levels must be maintained at a certain level. This is why Depakote helps treat conditions marked by excessive brain activity, such as epilepsy<\/a> and the manic phase of bipolar disorder<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can take Depakote in conjunction with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors<\/a> (SSRIs). SSRIs help alleviate the symptoms of depression by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain. This elevates mood and brain function.<\/p>\n

While most doctors use this drug to treat seizure disorders, some healthcare providers prescribe Dekapote or Depakene to patients who have schizophrenia as well. The pharmaceutical companies have marketed the medication for this\u00a0off-label use.<\/a><\/p>\n

Common Depakote Side Effects<\/h2>\n

Patients taking the drug may experience specific adverse side effects. Most of the side effects<\/a> from the use of Depakote are minor.<\/p>\n

Some common, mild side effects of Depakote include:<\/p>\n