Can a man taking depakote cause children to have birth defects and disabilities I have 3 kids same?

I am interested in your findings. My son has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. My husband took Depakote ( Sodium valproate ) before we conceived. I think there is a possibility this drug was the cause. I have two other children with no problems. I am desperately seeking answers.

Valproic acid was shown to cause reproductive injury to male animals in toxicity studies in 1977. Subsequently in 1977 or early 1978 a study was performed, sponsored by Abbott, where valproic acid was measured in human male semen following a single 500 mg dose. Depakene was approved in February 1978 by FDA. Valproic acid was first identified as a teratogen to humans in 1980 with additional evidence thereafter.
FDA committee identifies subpopulations at risk including women of child bearing years with male partners using a known teratogenic drug which is found in the semen.

Sir, I am not sure why you are taking this medication but in general it's not worth the risk.You are in charge not the doctor.I say this to you cause a psychiatrist in Frederick Maryland lost his license cause he was getting kickbacks from this particular drug andhad every poor soul who didn't know any better on this.I know this medication is bad newsDo your homework and don't always trust doctors opinion.You are in charge And for the record not all doctors are like that but they are human trust your gut.go under lawsuits with depakote.Looking from the question from which this question came from it looks like you listed alot of disorders.Do your research and don't just take what you're doctor says as truthIf you have doubt follow it.:-) peace and good luck

Same here Grandma2014; nothing listed and normally if it could they have this in the information best to check with the Kids doctor.

This is all I could find that may cause an issue: https://www.drugs.com/pro/depakote.html

"Reproductive: Aspermia, azoospermia, decreased sperm count, decreased spermatozoa motility, male infertility, and abnormal spermatozoa morphology."

The professional information takes a while to plow through (lots of pages) and as others have noted in this thread, most of the information pertains to the mother taking it. The above seems to have been strangely hidden even though the medication (category D for pregnancy) is so toxic and has been observed to produce damaged sperm. I would have thought that someone would make a connection. Mutant sperm are not going to create a normal fetus I would have thought.

Sorry, Steve

Hi, Grandma! There's nothing in the medical literature that I could find connecting Depakote but a man taking Depakote most likely has a history of mental disturbances and THAT does predispose children to developing problems too ~ especially if the mother has also been diagnosed with mental illness.
Best wishes, WCV

I could not find any info regarding men taking Depakote causing birth defects BUT I did however find that it can cause serious birth defects when women are talking it (see drugwatch.com website for details & lawsuits). Please talk with a fertility and neurologist specialist for an informed answer to your question as it is a very serious concern. I pray for the best options for your family. God Bless!!