U S FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
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FDA NEWS RELEASE. 6TH MAY 2013
FDA warns pregnant women to not use certain migraine prevention medicines
Valproate products can lower IQ scores in children of mothers who used them during pregnancy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting health care providers and patients that medications including and related to valproate sodium can cause decreased IQ scores in children whose mothers took the medication during pregnancy.
Therefore, these drugs are being contraindicated for (should never be used by) pregnant women for the prevention of migraine headaches.
Valproate products include valproate sodium (Depacon), divalproex sodium (Depakote, Depakote CP, and Depakote ER), valproic acid (Depakene and Stavzor), and their generics.
Valproate products have several FDA-approved uses including: prevention of migraine headaches; treatment of epilepsy (seizures); and treatment of manic episodes associated with bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder).
G MOHAN