This December 2019 Health Canada warning about Gilenya birth defects, ” “GILENYA (fingolimod) – Risk of Congenital Malformations”, starts with these two points: When used during pregnancy, GILENYA (fingolimod) has been associated with an increased risk of major congenital malformations, including congenital heart disease such as atrial septal … [Read more...]
Was I properly warned about the side effects of Depakote/Depakene/Depacon?
As discussed in my last article, "Should I have been prescribed Depakote / Depakene / Depacon?", it is extremely important that these drugs are properly prescribed, given their devastating potential fetal side effects. Additionally, any time that Depakote / Depakene / Depacon was prescribed to a female patient, doctors should have warned the … [Read more...]
Should I have been prescribed Depakote / Depakene / Depacon?
Depakote, Depakene, and Depacon are often prescribed for bipolar disorder, epilepsy, and sometimes migraine headaches. The common active ingredient in these four drugs is valproic acid, or valproate. These drugs have been shown to cause significant fetal birth defects when taken by pregnant women, especially during the first trimester of … [Read more...]
French Families Sue the Manufacturer of Depakote for Birth Defects
Depakote, Depakene / Depakine (Europe), Depacon, and Stavzor are anti-epilepsy drugs that contain valproic acid, which has been known to cause various birth defects when used by pregnant women. Such possible birth defects include facial deformities, developmental issues, and an increased risk of autism. The link between these drugs and birth … [Read more...]