... dad all have disabilities from seizures to cerebral palsey Autism Adhd bipolar schitzofrinia cognitive disorder wheel chair bound to name a few
Can a man taking depakote cause children to have birth defects and disabilities I have 3 kids same?
Question posted by Grandma2014 on 6 Feb 2016
Last updated on 7 September 2021
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7 Answers
Susanseekinganswers
16 Jan 2018
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.
vpa
14 Feb 2018
Susan
There is a post earlier in this question regarding a recent FDA warning about the effect of Depakote on sperm. AbbVie gives me some credit for that. Abbott Labs sponsored a premarket study published in early 1978 by Swanson and others measuring quantities of valproate, active ingredient in Depakene and Depakote, in men's reproductive product following a single 500 mg dose. The existence of measurable Depakote/Depakene in men's reproductive product has never been shown in the label. Valproate, active ingredient in Depakote /Depakene, was shown to be a high teratogen in 1980's. So valproate, a high teratogen, is found in male reproductive product and is not disclosed.
Understand, Depakote can be a highly effective drug and may be the only or best choice for some.
However, my wife and I had one son stillborn at near full term and a daughter with a number of the classic side-effects associated with Depakote. Personally I think Abbott Labs should have disclosed measurable Depakote in male reproductive product when Depakote was published as a high teratogen in FDA label. Patients and their physician should be in position to make fully informed treatment decisions and drug choices.
vpa
14 Feb 2018
Susan
There is a post earlier in this question regarding a recent FDA warning about the effect of Depakote on sperm. AbbVie gives me some credit for that. Abbott Labs sponsored a premarket study published in early 1978 by Swanson and others measuring quantities of valproate, active ingredient in Depakene and Depakote, in men's reproductive product following a single 500 mg dose. The existence of measurable Depakote/Depakene in men's reproductive product has never been shown in the label. Valproate, active ingredient in Depakote /Depakene, was shown to be a high teratogen in 1980's. So valproate, a high teratogen, is found in male reproductive product and is not disclosed.
Understand, Depakote can be a highly effective drug and may be the only or best choice for some.
However, my wife and I had one son stillborn at near full term and a daughter with a number of the classic side-effects associated with Depakote. Personally I think Abbott Labs should have disclosed measurable Depakote in male reproductive product when Depakote was published as a high teratogen in FDA label. Patients and their physician should be in position to make fully informed treatment decisions and drug choices.
Amind8416
2 July 2019
Susan,
I am a 34 y/o male. don’t know if you still track this but my wife was diagnosed with a Down’s syndrome baby when she was 33 and I was 34. We already had two healthy boys at this time, prior to my taking Depakote, and I also had no genetic issues on my side. Her side on the mothers side had a cousin with a genetic issue. Not sure what you want to make of it.
vpa
28 May 2017
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.
Dar Hoshanna
26 Feb 2016
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
chuck1957
22 Feb 2016
Same here Grandma2014; nothing listed and normally if it could they have this in the information best to check with the Kids doctor.
Stephen Treloar
7 Feb 2016
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
WildcatVet
7 Feb 2016
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
KairyFairy
7 Feb 2016
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!!
Related topics
depakote, seizures, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd), autism, disorder, children
Further information
- Depakote uses and safety info
- Depakote prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Depakote (detailed)
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