Sanofi Epilepsy Drug Linked to Birth Defects

French regulator ANSM announces Sanofi's epilepsy and bipolar disorder drug is linked to as many as 4,100 child deformities in the womb of pregnant women.

April 20, 2017

France's drug regulator said up to 4,100 children in France suffered major malformations in the womb after their mothers took valproate to treat epilepsy and bipolar disorders between 1967 and 2016, according to a Reuters article.

Valproate, made in France by Sanofi under the brand Depakine for epilepsy and Depakote and Depamide for bipolar disorders, is also said to cause slow neurological development, ANSM added.

Sanofi reportedly said it had been transparent with authorities and that it tried to keep doctors and patients informed of medical information.

Read the Reuters story