Depakote in Pregnancy May Affect Child's IQ

Studies suggest that children of mothers who take Depakote (carbamazepine) during pregnancy have lower IQs than those of women taking some other anti-seizure drugs which are used as mood stabilizers in bipolar disorder. The latest study, published in the April 16, 2009 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine, definitely indicates more in-depth research is needed.

At 3 years old, children whose mothers took Depakote while pregnant had IQs averaging 6-9 points lower than those taking Tegretol (carbamazepine) and Lamictal (lamotrigine). (A third epilepsy drug in the study, Dilantin [phenytoin], is not used as a mood stabilizer.) Also, the study found that while the IQs of children exposed to Lamictal and Tegretol was related to the IQs of the mothers, this was not the case in those children exposed to Depakote.

Depakote has also been linked to an increased risk of major birth defects and fetus death in the past. Some scientists say that women of childbearing age should not take this medication unless nothing else works, especially because there have been findings that switching from Depakote to another drug after a woman learns she is pregnant does not reduce all the risks.

What does this mean for women with bipolar disorder who are taking or may take Depakote as a mood stabilizer? If you are in a situation where pregnancy is wanted, planned or possible, you should make sure your doctor knows this. Discuss with your doctor the risks of taking Depakote, as it could make a big difference in the life of your child.

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