Epilepsy drug in pregnancy may lower child's IQ

Still think they have any idea of what a "safe" drug is?

"Toddlers of moms who took the epilepsy drug valproate during pregnancy had lower IQs than the children of women who used other anti-seizure medicines, according to a new study.

The valproate children had IQ scores six to nine points lower by age 3, said the study's lead author, Dr. Kimford Meador of Emory University. The drug, also sold in the U.S. under the brand name Depakote, had previously been linked to birth defects, particularly spina bifida. Women of childbearing age have long been advised to avoid it.

'We've known this drug is a bad actor for a long time,' said Dr. Lewis Holmes, director of the North American Antiepileptic Disease Pregnancy Registry, based at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston."

Well, that's comforting.

And with the IMHO malpractice known as diet drugs, they are sure to find more and more complications.

It is simply not worth it when the real cure to overweight/obesity is within reach and no drugs are needed.