Drug Ratings for DEPAKOTEAverage Rating: 3.1 (487 Ratings)
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Results are sorted by Satisfaction from highest to lowest Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR DEPAKOTE | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
  | F M | | | | |||
| 5 | Epilepsy | Hair loss, cold to hot ( when first started), used to make me drowsy a lot but once dosage was perfected I lost that. WORST SIDE EFFECT IS SHORT TERM MEMORY. Took during college and grades suffered. I cannot remember a persons name unless I ask them multiple times upon meeting. It totally controls my grand mal seizures though so the trade off is worth it!! | M | 26 | 10 years 1500 mg | 4/28/2013 | 5 | Migraines | Tender breasts, some hair loss, some fatigue, but a really content and mellow feeling, which is a great side effect for me. Some minimal weight gain in the first 2 months (2 kgs), but I workout daily and eat very healthy, so it has gone down again. I slept more with the almost daily migraines and its just hair, and I still have enough, so I am definitely not complaining! The only thing is if I forget to take it, I immediately get a headache. Also, I talk a lot more in my sleep and have more vivid dreams, but my hubby calms me down, so I go right back to sleep. But my quality of life is so much better with this medication and its the only medication I take, so maybe that's why it works better on me than most people here. I'm very happy with it! | F | 46 | 4 months 500 | 3/9/2013 | 5 | Bipolar 1 disorder | Combined with ZYPREXA, I experienced MASSIVE weight gain and heavy sedation, sleeping 14 hours a day. Comatose, zombie-like state. But after cutting out cold-turkey on both drugs for 13 mths, lost 97lbs, and am now 118lbs. It is a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT drug when combined with Abilify, or alternatively as a monotherapy. My only gripe about it now is that I have had a bit of breast enlargement & soreness; but my weight has remained steady @ 118 regardless of that fact. Also a bit of constant chest congestion - but as I am a smoker, yes you could alternatively blame the smokes! | For those posters who feel they can survive on natural remedies only, well, it IS a gamble. I had a great year of 100% normality for the time I was taking nothing at all. But this bipolar thing often DOES ambush you out of the blue, which I discovered after suffering another manic episode after the cold-turkey experiment. First time I was diagnosed, it was BAD - a psychotic break nine years ago @ 39...when I was diagnosed w/this. But I give it top marks when contrasted to Zyprexa, Abilify (which has caused me an array of health problems), or Saphris, another deadly drug. After 8 years, as far as I can see, it's the best of the lot for what ails me! (Plus, unfortunately DID have yet another serious manic episode lately, & with just one increased dosage, brought me back to the realm of normality FAST; and it feels SO GOOD to be back with the world again! | F | 39 | 8 years 1,250 MG 1X D | 8/9/2012 | 5 | Bipolar Disorder | None to date | I was prescribed this shortly after my stint on Lithium. Started at 750mg and eventually moved up to 1000mg per day. Smooth sailing. Still get irritable now and then, but hey, that's life. I don't know if I would be experiencing weight gain or not, as I'm taking Topamax and it seems to be counteracting the weight gain aspect of this med. | M | 34 | 4 months 500mg 2X D | 7/25/2012 | 5 | BiPolar I | The first month I was doing 500mg/day and felt no side effects. I researched the heck out them, so I knew that weight gain was very possible. I immediately quit soda! lol I love soda. I did not lose nor gain the first month, so I think that I counteracted the weight gain. The last 2 weeks, I have been increased to 750mg per day at bedtime, and I have experienced some quickness of the digestive system. No problem, though. Makes me feel detoxified! I do not feel sleepy, rather more energetic. Sometimes mildly manic. For the increase these last 2 weeks, I have started running again (well, it is 1/2 run and 1/2 walk right now). Still, no weight gain, but I am ready with more ammunition if I see any creepers. | I was on Lithium 750mg for over 2 years, from when I was first diagnosed, but my blood tests showed that my thyroid went haywire (hypo) and my kidney(s?) started struggling, so we switched me to Depakote. I was nervous because I FEAR change, but I honestly feel better! I feel like there was a fog (maybe from the Lithium) has cleared and I am happier. I went through a few different antidepressants the last 2 years because I think the Lithium had me a little smothered. When I first switched, I went through a couple of weeks where I was EXTREMELY agitated and irritable...over-sensitive and over-reacting. I think that was the withdrawal from the Lithium. I feel better now, although I will admit to some excited anxiety...another scary way to say mania. My biggest fear of all of the side effects was weight gain, but I hope to be able to control it. Most of the other side effects were the same as Lithium, so I have already been dealing with swollen hands and feet, hair loss, and tremors for over 2 years. My hair fell OUT with Lithium. I lost half my density...but I got a shorter style and did a Keratin strength treatment and my hair has not felt better in 10 years. The Depakote is better than Lithium for me, so far. Should have tried it sooner, but the weight gain scared me away. | F | 36 | 1.5 months 750MG 1X D | 5/26/2012 | 5 | bipolar | Been on depakote before quit because of weight gain but back on it with 1500 mg of lithium 100 mg of lamictal 40 mg Valium 300 mg neurontin and 20 mg celexa....they seem to work with alot of sedation but no mood swings | F | 38 | 1 months 2000 mg | 5/20/2012 | 5 | Epilepsy | None. | Have had epilepsy for about 40 years. After various medications I have gone from 140 lbs to as high as 295. I cannot blame the weight gain on medications but on diet. I have had no hair loss. When I am tired I think slower. It is not a problem when I am well rested. I also take low dose thyroid and blood pressure medicine and vitamins. In 2009 I had two bouts of pancreatitis, the first was misdiagnosed and missed. The second time they took out my gallbladder. The pancreatitis was likely caused by small gallstones blocking the pancreatic duct. The gallbladder problem was possibly caused by diet. Reading tonight that Depakote is being tested as a mood leveler on Alzheimer patients and may prevent formation of the amaloyid plaque and tangles that cause Alzheimers. I didn't find any thing definitive on the neuroprotective possibilities. Dosage clarificaition: 2 250 mg ER tabs in AM and 3 250 mg ER tabs in PM. | M | 56 | 25 years 250mg x 5 1X D | 2/26/2012 | 5 | migraines | hair loss, weight gain, all side effects went away after about 6 mnths | started depakote for daily migraine treatment and it ended up stabilizing my mood and helping my anxiety panic and other issues i was on other meds for. i asked to stay on depakote for my mentality and do not want to go back. | F | 31 | 2 years 1000 mg 1X D | 11/29/2011 | 5 | Bi-Polar type II | Weight Gain from 230# to 290# in first year, then gain subsided, but cannot loose it again. Almost no sex drive, nor ability to orgasm. | It has greatly stabilized my mood. I no longer get wildly angry, and throw things, nor do I do crazy things like cut oddly shaped holes in the outside walls of my house, drive on city sidewalks late at night to avoid stoplights, etc. After I was on Depakote for a year or so, doc wanted me to try Lamictal. I went out of my mind titrating down from Depakote, then back up to theraputic dose of Lamictal, and finally back again. I don't want to go off Depakote again...ever. | M | 53 | 6 years 1000 MG 2X D | 11/7/2011 | 5 | Bipolar, depression, mania | mild hand tremors, mild weight gain, mild hair loss, short stomach cramps | I experienced the traditional symptoms, but not to any great extent. My hands are a little shaky, but not so much that it effects daily living. I lost a little hair, but I was going bald anyhow. I gained about 15 pounds, but no one really notices. I get a belly cramp if I take it on an empty stomach, but a lot of medicines do that, so it's no big deal. This drug has worked wonders for me, though. I take Prozac for the depression end of things, and take the Depakote for the mania and agitation end of my symptoms. It works very well. The psychiatrist had me taper off Depakote, to see if I still needed it I suppose, and symptoms of paranoia and agitation returned very quickly. After restarting Depakote, the symptoms were relieved quite quickly. I'm very happy to tolerate the side effects from Depakote because it works very well for me, make me more tolerable to be around, and I credit it for saving my marriage. | M | 38 | 6 months 500 mg 3X D | 10/13/2011 | 5 | Weight gain , no sex drive, tremors | Has controlled my agression, and makes me feel under control . | M | 52 | 20 months 500 3X D | 10/2/2011 | 5 | depression, mood disorder | EXTREME nausea at the start - then no side effects | Have been through numerous anti-depressants. Their effectiveness just seems to wane and stop working after 6-8 months. I thought Depakote's nausea would kill me but after a few weeks it abated and lifted my mood so I could function very well. I'm also on 10mg Lexapro daily. I asked the Doc if we could go slow in increasing Depakote dose and we ended up just keeping it at 250 mg per day and it worked like a miracle drug for 8 months. From other posts, I expected hair loss etc, etc. Nothing, except some weight gain. In the last month, I've noticed a gradual downturn. I'm more likely to isolate, focus on negative, distract myself, get nothing done, eat/sleep not as well, not leave the house. Don't know if dosage needs to increase or it is not going to work anymore, as has happened with other meds in the past. Will see Doc today for next step. I'd urge folks to try to stay at low dosage IF it's working for you. Some Docs are too quick to up the dosage just because that's the protocol. | M | 60 | 9 months 250 1X D | 9/28/2011 | 5 | bipolar | mild hair loss, mild nausea and mild tiredness | I started this medication after they tried to put me on ativan. Later they found out I needed something for bipolar. The side effects are easing off after my two weeks and I feel so much better. I was having panic attacks. I felt like I was about to have two since starting the medicine but they subsided! So not only do I feel better with the depression, but I am not struggling with the panic attacks. I am sorry for the ones who are having problems, but I am happy that I am starting to feel somewhat normal again!! | F | 36 | 2 weeks 500mg 1X D | 9/5/2011 | 5 | Bipolar 2 | Somewhat hard to fall asleep at night, a slight feeling of sedation for a few hours after taking the dose, so I take it before I go to bed at night. I am on Depakote ER. | This drug transformed my life for the better. I was in a mixed state episode that Lamictal just wouldn't stablize, so my psychiatrist switched me to Depakote. I personally haven't experienced hair loss or gained weight, though I'm very active and come from genetically thin stock. The drug stabilized the hypomania pretty quickly, but it took a few weeks for the depressive symptoms to significantly ease. I felt kind of zoned for a couple of weeks, but my energy level is at least as good as it ever has been, and I can focus and concentrate much better. I haven't had another depressive episode since I've been on it, and the hyp-mania is controlled as well. I'm uneasy about some of the side effects people are mentioning, but so far I'm just not experiencing the negative effects some of you are. I guess everyone is different, and I'm glad I started taking the medication prior to reading these comments. I may not have tried it otherwise. | M | 53 | 9 months 1500 1X D | 8/7/2011 | 5 | migaine | Been a wonderful! No weight gain or hair loss. It does take a little while to build up in your system. | If I had to pick paying for food or Depakote, I would pick Depakote! Made a huge difference in my life. | F | 41 | 5 years 1000 1X D | 7/3/2011 | 5 | seizure disorder | weight gain | I've been on Vimpat, Keppra, Lamictal and Zonegran ALL with most or all of the awful side effects described about DEPAKOTE. My doc wanted me to take 1000 mg. per day. But instead of starting high I TOLD HIM that I wanted to start low and dose up if needed. 500 mg has been keeping my seizures under control! What I've learned?? At least for myself, I had to have some control over my meds. I fear now that maybe one or more of the other above drugs would have been helpful but that I was taking too large of a dose that caused awful side effects. You know yourself better than your doctor does. For instance, one drug was causing severe shortness of breath and I went months having a very difficult time breathing. When I told the doctor this his response "that's not listed as one of the side effects". It may not be "listed" in his journals but when I got on-line to investigate plenty of other people on the same drug had shortness of breath! TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR MED DOSAGE under the watchful eye of your doctor. About the weight gain. I had lost 15 pounds on the other meds and have gained it back since being on Depakote. I do seem to crave sweets more now though. We'll see how this goes. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU! | F | 48 | 3 months 500 1X D | 4/23/2011 | 5 | seizures | Hair loss...but have taken this durg for so long have adjusted to any other side effects that I just didn't notice | Was put on Depakote at age 11 for uncontrolled seizures. As the years progressed, my seizures got worse & my neurologist upped my depakote. For 26 years Depakote has been my anti-seizure drug. Ive been able to drive, have children & live a fullfilling life. I pray that there will never come a day when my body rejects Depakote because I am thankful for how far I have lived!! | F | 37 | 26 years 2500 1X D | 11/6/2010 | 5 | Seizures, Epilepsy, Headaches | Memory Loss "short term", anger, dry mouth, Tired all day it seams, , Sleep loss, vivid dreams "life mini series" physic like abilities I have predicted the next day several time | Without it I would still have seizures. I have actually lost weight while taking it. (watched what I ate also) but I lost over 46 lbs Still have no idea why I had my seizures? Right temporal lobe abnormality. I have tried several meds until Depakote ER & another med worked -- I used to have a foggy - hazy - dope feeing but it went away after I lost weight 1-depakote er 1-topamax morning, 2-depakote er 1-topamax night | M | 27 | 8 years 500 3X O | 10/21/2010 | 5 | Bi-Polar | The only side effect I have is that my period has stopped. My breasts are sore and tender. Almost mimicking pregnancy, however even though I had a tubal 3 yrs ago, I still took a test. negative whoohoo | This medication has been a miracle drug for me. I am 32 yrs old and until 3 weeks ago never really lived a single day of my life. I was recently hospitalized for another suicide attempt. Doc put me on Depakote within 3 days I felt like a different person. I wanted things, wanted to shower, wanted to walk, wanted to take care of my family. Upon coming home over the next week or so I had so much energy i felt as though I had lost 100lbs. My appetite has decreased (i am overweight so this is a good thing) I am consistent, concentration is better, no feelings of hopelessness. If I know something is coming up that may be difficult I am worried but I dont do the "freak-out" I know it will be hard, but also will be ok. THANK YOU DEPAKOTE YOU SAVED MY LIFE | F | 32 | 4 weeks 500 2X D | 6/22/2010 | 5 | Mania | Heartburn that comes and goes. | Nothing beats this drug. Nothing. Blows Lamictal out of the water. I have been in some of the most stressful situations one can conjure up, with nowhere to run and hide, and this drug I can count on. It works. | M | 29 | 5 years 250mg 3X D | 6/1/2010 | 5 | atypical migraines | slight hair loss, weight gain, drowsiness | Depakote has helped me so much. I started to experience light- enduced atypical migraines about a year ago, and it got continually worse. I would experience tunnel vision and severe dizziness when exposed to bright lights on stage and while driving, especially at night. After I started depakote, the migraines completely ceased. The drowsiness has slightly affected my life, seeing as I'm a college student with very early classes. The weight gain and minor hair loss I can deal with, I'll just have to start running and eating a bit better! It's so nice to not have that constant fear of having another episode. I highly recommend this drug for people with similar symptoms. | F | 20 | 5 months 250 2X D | 5/9/2010 | 5 | Bipolar | mild stomach pain when beginning/raising dosage. | This drug was a miracle drug for me. Bipolar disorder is terrible. I spent 2 years before i was put on this drug and it works fantastically. It gets rid of the headaches, stops the mansism. And it regulates you brain. A++ | M | 26 | 4 months 1000mg 1X D | 4/18/2010 | 5 | Unstable Moods | The first 6 months I put on a few pounds, maybe 5. I adjusted after that. | I can't believe some of the negative posts here. PCOS, yeah, everyone has known about that for years, get over it. Dilantin is definitely more dangerous as are other AED'S and check out the rashes associated with Lamictal. The rashes and lack of anti manic effects of Lamictal are documented and undeniable. This drug was discovered in 1882, synthesized in 1963 and first marketed in 1967 Euro, 1983 USA. Every side effect has been published. This med has too many positives to list but I am sure the next post will be a 1 rating with a PCOS warning and death and dying listed as side effects probably. I advise the Extended Release version and ignore the maniacal negatives. It may not work but it sure as hell won't kill you. Look it up. | M | 37 | 10 years 250mg 3X D | 3/2/2010 | 5 | Migraine Prevention | I did have some moderate hair loss--but it was also right after I had a baby, so it's hard to tell if that was all post-pregnancy related, or was due to the Depakote. | Take at night to avoid any side effects, so I have had none. In the time I have been on Depakote, I have had 2 break-thru migraines in a 10 month period, which is great for me. | F | 34 | 10 months 250mg 1X D | 3/1/2010 | 5 | Migraine prevention | The only side effect I had was when performing fine motorized skills such as typing on my computers keyboard like now. My fingers or hands twitch. I keep hitting the same key over, or, I'll hit wrong keys. It drives me crazy but the consequences are worse. | My migraines were familial (inherited) and atypical (not typical)I had them as long as I could remember. I get turned into an invalid. My mother & one brother got same thing, sometimes everyday for a while. When afflicted I was like a mind without a body. I knew what was going on arround me but couldn't walk or talk. I had one migraine 2 days after my first Depakote. I haven't had a migraine since. I only take 500 mg. every day. | M | 56 | 4 years | 10/13/2009 | 5 | bipolar II | weight gain, thinning hair, though i'm taking remeron too, so not sure it might me from that one too | taking 2000mg. The drug is beautiful, minor side effects, though it doesn't control my mood swings completely, i still can take only 7,5mg of remeron for my depression daily, be on casein/sugar/gluten/caffeine free diet, and control my binges, otherwise it doesn't help much | F | 24 | 3 years | 10/5/2009 | 5 | Bipolar Disorder | Slight Drowsiness | I was experiencing extreme paranoid delusions which led to an extended hospital stay. My doctor put me on Geodon 120mg/day and Depakote 1000mg/day. The delusions went away and I was able to resume life as normal, but I was extremely tired for the first two or three hours of the morning until I stopped taking Geodon. Now that I am only taking Depakote I feel much more stable and in control. | M | 30 | 8 months | 10/2/2009 | 5 | Bipolar Disorder | I did have to get over some initial side effects of stomach upset. I felt tired at times in the begining which was actually good. I would rather be calm and a bit tired than freaking out. | All I can comment on is how it works for me and for me it's great. | F | 27 | 5 years | 9/11/2009 | 5 | bipolar II | weight gain, memory loss, depression and anxiety | Depakote decreases levels of acetyl l-carnitine which is an amino acid that plays several important roles in the human body; It helps to reduce anxiety, depression, improve weight loss and inhance memory. Acetyl l-carnitin could be found in red meat and dairy. Your body can produce a very small amount of L-Carnitine on a daily basis. But since I'm vegetarian and have been taking depakote for years, guess what? I've been suffering from anxiety disorder and depression for years and was treatmnet resistant. Since I started taking acetyl l-carnitin, my mood has significantly improved and anxiety disappeared. I did research it says people who take anti seasure drugs should take high doses of acetyl l-carnitine. I hope it helps someone. | F | 24 | 5 years | 7/30/2009 | 5 | cyclothymia (mild bipolar disorder) | Only on 375 mg/day. Some stomach upset at first (a probiotic was suggested by my doc, which remedied the issue), drowsiness, mild appetite decrease. Nothing major. Have read that most major side effects occur above the 1000mg dosage. | So far so good. My biggest complaint is drowsiness, but I am also taking klonopin with it which my psychiatriast says is known to cause drowsiness when taken together. We are attempting to tweak the dosing time to remedy the issue. Otherwise, I am happy with it. This is the first drug that controls my moods without inducing mania (antidepressants do that to me) and it has no effect on my sex drive nor has it caused me to gain weight (everytime I take antidepressants I encounter rapid weight gain and sexual side effects). Absolutely zero weight gain so far. Not every drug is for everyone but this one seems to work for me. | F | 28 | 3 months | 7/20/2009 | 5 | Mania | Occasional drowsiness but I am a hyper type guy so I don't mind. | My Dr. stopped my Depakote and put me on Lamicatal a few years back and that was a big mistake. I had all kinds of problems on Lamictal. Fights with co-workers, cosmetic problems and general anger. Depakote is not perfect but it calms me down day in and day out. I am staying with it. I have to. | M | 33 | 7 years | 6/22/2009 | 5 | Hypomania | I take 3 250mg tablets of Depakote Er per day. Sometimes I get a get a little shaky for a few minutes. Other than that nothing really. | I have not gained any weight. I think my body is just used to it. It never stops working for me and is effective. The generic form that just came out in 2009 did not work as well for me so I pay a higher co-pay. It's worth it. | M | 29 | 4 years | 5/17/2009 | 5 | Bipolar 2 | stomach burning like hunger pains, wake up once every night at 2 am, some twitching | I think that it saved my life. I have been misdiagnosed for 12 years (was diagnosed as depressive with ADHD). Depakote started working after only a few days. Was scared because I thought that meds would change my personality..... it has, but in a positive way. I am able to process information and concentrate better. My energy level has levelled out. Was afraid that I would be considered boring now, but friends and family are so happy that I am no longer self destructing. My thoughts are no longer crazy and out of control. I have control over my impulses. I don't get obsessed. | F | 32 | 30 days | 4/15/2009 | 5 | seizures | weight gain, hair loss, i get shaky at times, and possible tooth decay. | I have been on Depakote for almost 3 years now. I have not had one single episode since I have been on this drug. It had it's bad side effects at the beginning but my hair is back to normal and I got back to my normal weight or around my normal weight. | F | 18 | 3 years | 4/7/2009 | 5 | Mood | Sometimes tired. | I'll keep it brief and tell the truth, it's been great for 10 years. The drug deserves a higher rating and it's a shame someone can post 'taken 1 day, caused PCOS'. Read the side effects and ask your Dr. Every drug has warnings and nothing is being hidden about this drug. | M | 30 | 10 years | 4/1/2009 | 5 | bipolar | the drug has completly balanced my moods and cured my depression but weight gain, swelling of hands arms and legs a problem also extreme tiredness. going to docs for advice on weight gain. | F | 50 | | 3/23/2009 | 5 | migraine | Hungry, sleepy, lack motivation, sore breasts, indigestion, poor night time sleep, memory disabled. | It took away my daily migraine that imitrex couldn't. I get vascular spasm as well as dilated, migraine. They have to be treated differently and would vacillate from one to the other. Imitrex for dilated would take only part away, then vascular spasm would set in and I'd still have a terrible headache. Would have to dilate the spasm and eventually use imitrex again. Depakote at 250 mg stopped them completely. Still have to be careful with about 50 different triggers, but at least I can do that, and I'm headache free. I hate the side effects though and may try soon after taking Depakote for about a month, to see if I can taper off of it and still not have daily migraine. I want to use as little of it as possible. Hair loss for me hasn't been too bad, but sleep is not good, 3 good hours a night, then light sleep off and on, so am tired in the daytime. Lack motivation, but can make myself do what I have to. Gained 15 pounds in the month I've been taking it and I'm a very disciplined eater normally. I eat very low calorie, but when you're hungry, you're hungry. Hoping to lose the weight working in my yard, flowers, this spring. | F | 60 | 4 weeks | 3/22/2009 | 5 | Epilepsy | None known. | I have been taking sodium valporate for over thirty years and have not had any significant side effects. While taking the medication I completed two undergraduate degrees and one graduate degree from a top 10 university. I have my CPA and work for a Fortune 500 software company developing accounting software. I don't suffer any ill effects that I am aware and I don't think the drug has limited me. | 48 | 30 years | 3/13/2009 | 5 | Severe Migraines | Some what sleepy for the first few months, can't complain about hair loss cause It's hereditary for me. Minor weight gain. While taking this medicine my doctor has directed me to have a blood test once a year in order to monitor my liver function. Which has been fine. | I take a 1000mg dose of Depakote ER every day in the form of to 500mg pills. I suffered all the way through High school and much of my early 20's with horrendous severe Migraines. I tried using several different medications that are used to terminate migraines that are often dangerous and in some cases can cause severe heart problems such as Imitrex, Migranal and Zomig. All of these drugs for whatever reason were unable to offer me any relief and failed to terminate the migraine as they promised to do. I used to suffer from 2 severe migraines a month with each one lasting about 8 hours of excruciating pain. Now I am cured!!! I have not had a single Migraine for two years!!! For someone like me the side effects are well worth it and very minor in comparison to severe migraines that would often times have me huddled into a fetal position and feeling like some one had a chain saw on the back of my head. I think it is important for people who suffer from migraines to consider Depako | M | 25 | 2.5 years | 2/24/2009 | 5 | Anxiety & Agitation | The first few weeks and they were minor. I expected worse and have never had bouts of intolerable side effects. | I don't take a high dose. 750mg a day in the extended release form makes a big difference for the better. | M | 36 | 5 years | 2/18/2009 | 5 | SEVERE MIGRAINES | Hair loss and some weight gain. | Even though I've had these side effects...it's far better than 13 severe migraines within 22 days. Since being on Depakote at only 500mg a day...I have had 1 severe migraine in 6 months. | F | 43 | 6 months | 1/21/2009 | 5 | Unipolar depression/aniety | Major Hair Loss, Tremors, sleepy all the time. | It has really helped me with a good deal of my issues. I may have to quit taking the drug because of the hair loss and that makes me a bit sad. | F | 31 | 6 days | 11/12/2008 | 5 | Bipolar | Hair thinning, some weight gain (very small amount) | I really believe in this drug. It is important, at least for me, to take the drug at the correct time each day. Do not skip doses. I was on Lithum (spelling) for about a year . . . 20 years back, it did not work for me. I can really focus with Depakote. I am not happy with my hair, but I LOVE my life now. The correct dosage is really important. Work with your doctor. | F | 15 years | 11/11/2008 | 5 | Bipolar | A little sleepy sometimes, comes and goes. | I am sane without being a drooling idiot. A+ | F | 29 | 3 years | 9/26/2008 | 5 | Anxiety & Mood | I had some sluggushness at first and gained about 5 lbs. Some occasional heartburn and slight tremor. | I found that my body adjusted to the side effects as time went on. I returned to my normal weight. Occasional heartburn but the benefits have been great. I only take 750mg of the extended version and have for 8 years. I like that I never get rashes or nervous with this drug and it always seems to work. My co-pay is 10 dollars more but it's worth it. | M | 36 | 8 years | 9/14/2008 | 5 | Mood Swings | Once in awhile some acute agitation about something minor. It corrects itself in minutes though. This med is like brakes on car for my mind. It stops the bad from getting real bad. | I was able to make rational decisions and was not the least bit foggy at 750mg per day of the ER version. Compared to the confusion and rashes and acne from Lamictal and other AEDs this med has been great. No IQ drop at all. People have different reactions I guess, judging by the previous post. | M | 25 | 3 years | 7/18/2008 | 5 | BiPolar II | None really. | I like this drug. I don't break out and my memory and focus are fine. | F | 33 | 5 years | 7/10/2008 | 5 | Anxiety and Mood Disorder | Some heartburn, that's about it. | Life saver for me. Trusted for a decade with no weight gain. | F | 29 | 10 years | 7/1/2008 | 5 | Bipolar/Anxiety | Some heartburn at first and occasional slurred speech. | It works ok for me. My copay is higher for the extended release version but I need this to keep my brain normal. | F | 29 | 4 years | 4/12/2008 | 5 | SPS | None with Depaote Extended Release. | This drug has the BEST side effect profile for anticonvulsants when it comes to cognitive impairment and DERMATOLOGIC reactions. Look it up. | M | 31 | 10 years | 3/8/2008 | 5 | Bipolar/Anxiety | At first some weight gain (10lbs.) but my body adjusted after about 6 months and ultimately I have dropped a couple pounds in the last 8 years. | I have confidence in it and it works for me, no doubt about it. | M | 35 | 8 years | 1/25/2008 | 5 | Epilepsy (grand mal) | Started taking at age approx 25, replacing Phenitoin and others. Under names Epilim (UK) and Depakote (mainland EUR) I had no side effects (young active male, burning off excess calories was no problem !). Depakote in US resulted in a 10-15 lb/year weight gain (about 160 lb in total !). Switched to the Extended Release version in may of 2007 and lost about 25 lb in the rest of 2007 - including the Christmas feeding season! | I've been taking this since I was about 25. I can trigger a seizure by combing a blood sugar low, fatigue (from lack of sleep), and considerable alcohol intake. Naturally, I try not to, but parties happen to all of us :) Now I've quit drinking I shouldn't have this problem. For about 2 years I had a problem maintaining terapeutic level, coincident with point of maximal weight gain. | M | 52 | 25 years | 1/21/2008 | 5 | Bi Polar I | Bit sleepy (increased the lethargy I felt from 600mg Seroquel),mild hair loss and believe may be causing stomach cramps/painful periods. | Really helped with mood stabilising. Manic episodes minor and down from 15+ a year to a max of 5. Wouldn't consider anything else. | F | 37 | 18 months | 1/20/2008 | 5 | Migraines | Weight gain (45 lbs), crazy dreams and sluggish reaction | After 6 mos. of daily migraines, my neurologist put me on Topamax. I gave it a good effort of about 8 months but I had to give up daily life. I lost 20 lbs and my hair. After weaning off the Topamax, my doc put me on Depakote ER 500 mg, she added Inderal after a couple months. My hair has come back but it is "perm" curly, I have gained 45 lbs. My docs have been diligently treating me since 7/06 but it worked. I average 2 migraines per month now and after 3 months of cutting back on the Depakote and Inderal, my neurologist had taken me off it. Also, for those who suffer from migraines, check out allergies (find a doc who will also look at delayed allergies), TMJ, etc... I found I had delayed allergies to beans (all beans) Also, STAY AWAY FROM KNOWN TRIGGERS. All I can say, is search for good docs and research, research, research!!!!! | F | 45 | 10 months | 12/21/2007 | 5 | SPS/Anxiety | slight tremor that went away. | I have better focus and feel like I am not going in 10 directions at once. I'm glad I did not see this site sooner or I would have been worried. I took Dilantin for 3 years and was unpredictable and angry although it worked. Within 3 days of Lamictal I broke out all over and had to take a medrol pack. 5 years on depakote er and no problems. Forgot what it was like to be nervous all the time which is good. | M | 28 | 5 years | 12/11/2007 | 5 | hypomanic | absolutely no side effects | its a great experience ,i feel cool,calm and composed,no racing thoughts,no flight of ideas,i used to feel like "volcano" in my head ,i use to have too much of sex ,now after depakote my mind is icy,really a sweet drug that makes you calm | M | 35 | 10 days | 12/9/2007 | 5 | Abnormal EEG Anxiety | I had some stomach and weight (10lb) side effects I would say for a good year. I have always taken 750mg or the ER version and that's been about 7 years. | In my case it just seems like it still works great but the side effects have gone away. I take a multi-vitamin and excercise but the excercise has just been recent, not for weight issues. I also take 20 mg prozac with it. I am grateful that my body adjusted and it it always works. It is dependable. | M | 31 | 8 years | 11/8/2007 | 5 | Bipolar | Nothing really | Really helps with anxiety and mood swings | F | 40 | 2 years | 10/9/2007 | 5 | Anxiety | Mild heartburn once or twice a week after taking it. | Works great. | M | 29 | 3 years | 9/27/2007 | 5 | JME seizures | Weight gain, loss of coordination (can't ride a bicycle anymore), extreme hair thinning and loss, fatigue, swelling on left side of my body (esp. in feet and fingers), manic depression | Despite all the crappy side effects, it is the only medication that has ever worked on me. I have tried Keppra, Lamictal, and Toppamax because of the possible defect risks if my husband and I decide to try for a baby, but have had seizures on all of them. | F | 22 | 8 years | 9/25/2007 |