Depakote News
States investigate Abbott for possible illegal Depakote marketing
Attorneys general from eight states have formed a committee to investigate potentially illegal marketing practices by the manufacturer of the anti-epileptic drug Depakote. The states involved—Texas, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oregon, and Pennsylvania—believe Abbott Laboratories may have violated state consumer protection laws by illegally marketing the drug for unapproved uses. More »
Abbott agrees to $1.3B settlement in Depakote lawsuits
The manufacturer of Depakote has agreed to pay $1.3 billion to settle claims that it illegally marketed the drug for unapproved uses, sources say. Depakote lawsuits filed by the Justice Department and 24 states allege that Abbott Laboratories marketed the drug for aggression in dementia patients and other conditions not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. More »
U.S. in talks to settle Depakote lawsuit over off-label marketing
U.S. Justice Department lawyers are conducting settlement discussions with Abbott Laboratories concerning a Depakote lawsuit filed against the company. The Justice Department alleges that Abbott Laboratories illegally marketed the drug Depakote for unapproved uses. More »
Depakote Birth Defects Website Launched By Hissey Kientz, LLP
The law firm of Hissey Kientz, LLP is announcing the launch of its new website, Depakote Birth Defects Lawsuits. The site will serve as a news and information resource for women and their families who have been affected by birth defects linked to the use of Depakote during pregnancy. More »
Family files Depakote lawsuit over daughters’ birth defects
The parents of two young girls who were born with birth defects have filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the anti-epilepsy drug Depakote. Roger and Mindy Pyszkowski allege that Mindy’s use of Depakote during pregnancy caused their daughters to be born with spina bifida and neural tube defects. More »
FDA warns of Depakote link to lower IQ scores
The Food and Drug Administration has warned that children whose mothers used Depakote or similar drugs during pregnancy are more likely to have lower cognitive test scores than those who were exposed to other anti-seizure medications. In addition to its use on seizures, Depakote is also prescribed to treat bipolar disorder and migraine headaches. More »
Depakote maker enters into settlement negotiations with prosecutors
The manufacturer of the epilepsy drug Depakote have entered into talks with the U.S. Justice Department to settle claims that it illegally promoted the medication for off-label prescription. Federal prosecutors have asked a judge in Virginia to postpone a July trial deadline in the case to allow for time to negotiate a settlement deal with Abbott Laboratories regarding Depakote. More »
Families file Depakote class action lawsuit in Illinois
A Depakote class action lawsuit was filed recently in Illinois on behalf of the parents of children who were born with birth defects caused by the drug. The lawsuit alleges that the manufacturers of Depakote failed to properly warn about the risk of birth defects associated with using Depakote while pregnant. More »
Study finds increased birth defects risk with Depakote
The use of the drug Depakote during pregnancy may increase the risk of spina bifida and five other types of birth defects, a new study has found. Researchers from the University of Groningen in The Netherlands wrote that due to the risk of causing birth defects, the use of Depakote should be avoided during pregnancy. More »
Study finds epilepsy drug Depakote risky for newborns
A new study finds that expectant epileptic mothers who take Depakote to control seizures are at an elevated risk of giving birth to children with mental deficits. Two-year-olds who were exposed in the womb to Abbott Laboratories’ Depakote scored seven to eight points lower on IQ tests than those whose mothers had taken other epilepsy drugs while pregnant. They were twice as likely to suffer mental retardation, according to findings presented to the American Academy of Neurology.