The FDA has required the maker of Depakote to include
a strong black box warning alerting doctors and patients to the potential for life - threatening side effects associated with Depakote use including serious birth defects such as anencephaly (brainless babies) and spina bifida.
In October federal health officials announced that antidepressants must carry a
black box label — the Food and Drug Administration's
strongest warning — indicating the drugs can cause suicidal behavior in children and teenagers.