DEPAKOTE Reviews (DIVALPROEX SODIUM)

Average Rating: 3.0 (584 Ratings)

Filter Results

Compare DEPAKOTE with similar:
 ANTICONVULSANTS

 Type: Rx Drug

  

DEPAKOTE  (DIVALPROEX SODIUM):  This medication is used to treat seizure disorders, certain psychiatric conditions (manic phase of bipolar disorder), and to prevent migraine headaches. It works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain.   FDA Approval Date: 1983-03-10 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)

  

Results are sorted by Date added.

Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.)
5=HIGH (this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal.)

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30


More on DEPAKOTE: Reviews Summary  |  Drug Safety Information

RATING  REASONSIDE EFFECTS FOR DEPAKOTECOMMENTSSEXAGEDURATION/
DOSAGE
DATE ADDED
 
 5  Simple Partials/BP II Some lethargy at first but actually increased energy after taking it sometimes. Positive effects on mood and anxiety. Must be better for men than women from what I read, I take 750mg a day in the Extended Release version and have really no side effects. Helps me out a lot. I like it because I do not get nervous or panicky AT ALL anymore and that is big for me. Every other anticonvulsant I have tried gave me some type of anxiety or confusion or cognitive problems. After 5 years on Depakote, well it's just been great. M 41 5 years
10/26/2006
 2  Bipolar Depression inability to speak in complete sentences trouble remembering things I know I knew difficulty speaking and confusion frequent vivid and memorable dreams napping when I have the chance heavier monthly periods dehydration increased appetite weight gain 10 lbs in 3 months I feel so much better mentally on this medication but when I gained 5 pounds in 3 months then 5 more in one week that was the last straw for me! I can't fit into some pants anymore! F 22 3 months
10/25/2006
 3  bipolar HUGE weight gain - 15 pounds in 1st month! Most of my hair fell out and almost constant fatigue - sleeping upwards of 12 hours a day. Also swelling of hands and shaky eyesight. As with all drugs, it works better for some than others. For me, I'm still deciding whether the pro's (FAR less manic and depressive phases) outweigh the major con's. F 20 5 weeks
10/18/2006
 3  bipolar HUGE weight gain - 15 pounds in 1st month! Most of my hair fell out and almost constant fatigue - sleeping upwards of 12 hours a day. Also swelling of hands and shaky eyesight. I'm on 2000mg/day As with all drugs, it works better for some than others. For me, I'm still deciding whether the pro's (FAR less manic and depressive phases) outweigh the major con's. F 20 5 weeks
10/18/2006
 1  migraines causing me to have breathing difficulty,sever mood swings,sever stomack pain and reflux above all I am still getting headaches. It is stopping me from getting the full blown migraines F 43 60 days
10/16/2006
 4  Generilzed Tonic Clonic Seizures behavioral changes, adominal pain, memory loss, lack of concentration.. Depakote seemed to work for me when i first started to have Seizures at age 27, I went off of it for a while because the seizures stoped. I have been back on it for 3 months and have experianced a lot of problems with my old dosage, turns out I was taking 50% more than I needed so my doctor lowered my dose from 3000mg to 2000mg daily we shall see if this helps with the side effects as well as the sever mood swings. M 31 3 months
10/13/2006
Email
 4  bipolar weight gain, memory loss, hair loss, shakiness 1500mg depakote er. depakote has been one of the only medicines that has been helpful (in combination with lithium and celexa). there have been impulsive times trying to get off depakote, and each one results in migranes, nose bleeds, crazy moods, and confusion. for the most part depakote is a life safer. F 19 3 years
10/13/2006
Email
 4  MIgraine headaches Severe hair loss, weight gain (about 10 pounds) and slight hand tremors. Helped get rid of my daily headaches F 39 4 months
9/25/2006
 5  Epilepsy (tonic clonic seizures) Moderate hair loss, mild weight gain (5 lbs ?), mild tremors and balance issues. I've been on depakote so long I can't really remember what it's like not to be taking it. About two years ago my neurologist switched me over to the Depakote ER, which has really been a blessing, since I couldn't remember to take the stuff twice a day before. It really controls my seizures--but I also know what factors induce seizures... for me, they're: alcohol, lack of sleep, flashing red lights, and stimulants. But usually I have to combine a few of these AND have missed a few doses of the meds before I have a seizure. Overall, I've been very satisfied with Depakote. The side effects are mild compared to all the awful things that can happen when a person has a seizure... Just remember: it's not always the seizure itself that does you harm, but what you're doing when you have the seizure... driving, swimming, walking alone at night etc. And make sure you take the medication regularly--that's the name of the game. Consistency. F 24 12 years
9/20/2006
 1  BP II I hate this drug. I have been on it for a year, trying to figure out the right dose. IT MAKES ME WANT TO KILL MYSELF. Aside from a dozen side effects, the worst being enlarged prostate, bursitis in my shoulder and tired all the time, it creates severe depression. I started with 250mg 3x a day and it took away my anxiety, but worsened the depression. I tried the ER in doses of 500,then 1000, then 1500. My psychiatrist said I was having mixed symptoms and once I was adapted, the side effects would go away. I started experimenting with doses and found that I felt better within days of decreasing the dosage until I was down to 250. The problem with 250 was that the anxiety came back too much. The depression nearly went away. I tried 500mg of the regular release, taking them at night and it fixed the anxiety, but the depression came back. This drug trades anxiety for depression - at least for me. If you are thinking about killing yourself, try going down on the dose for a few days and see i Very dangerous - for me causes obsessive thoughts of suicide. M 47 1 years
9/9/2006
 5  Bipolar II Weight gain, itchy/dry scalp (don't know if my hair has fallen out because I have VERY thick hair) Since recently being diagnosed with Bipolar II, this stuff has made a 100% improvement in my life. After trying what seems like a zillion antidepressants, none of which worked, depakote worked after only 2 tablets. I use it in combination with Cymbalta, as the Cymbalta doesn't completely control my depressive episodes. I'm only on 500 mg/day, but it seems to be working very well. I finally feel like I'm on the right track! F 49 3 weeks
9/7/2006
Email
 4  Bipolar disorder none M 34 2 years
9/6/2006
 5  Bipolar disorder minor hair loss, minor swelling of hands and feet have not had my first blood test yet, i guess we will see then,but i know i can't live with the symptoms before taking depakote. i worry about the liver and and other major side effects maybe the lesser of two evils? F 41
8/31/2006
 4  Bipolar II Food cravings - gained 65lbs in no time. Hair fell out, but grew back with more body & shine. Hand tremors I call it depabloat because of the way I craved food. My doc said that it disabled my "full button," so I didn't know when to stop eating. For a while it increased my libido. Unfortunately that did not last. F 48 5 years
8/29/2006
 3  bipolar II @ 750mg taken before bed, no real side effects. 1000mg for 5 days and I have been nauseous and this morning I vomitted. However I was advised to take 1000mg because I was having more depressed episodes. I have been taking the 1000mg for 5 days and I have been nauseous and this morning I vomitted. I will go back to 750 asap M 42 6 weeks
8/25/2006
 3  bipolar II @ 750mg taken before bed, no real side effects. 1000mg for 5 days and I have been nauseous and this morning I vomitted. However I was advised to take 1000mg because I was having more depressed episodes. I have been taking the 1000mg for 5 days and I have been nauseous and this morning I vomitted. I will go back to 750 asap M 42 6 weeks
8/25/2006
 3  Epilepsy Hair loss, weight gain, tired, tremors (arm/leg movements) hard to keep balance. Moods changed a lot. Took Xanex for anxiety issues and it wood push my mood the other way. Still on it been on it since age 13. Now taking 2000mg a day. I believe I'm seizure free now, growth spurt related, but can't get off the stuff since I won't be able to drive for six months as they wait to see if I'm okay. Been on drug for 18 years. M 18 years
8/20/2006
 2  Chronic migraines Weight gain (25#) hair loss, faitgue, erectile disfunction, general G.I. upset Have slowly been increasing dosage to current 1750 daily. I have had no noticable results as headache frequency has not decreased and severity has worsened since Dr's. are more concerned with rebound effect of pain medications. My (uneducated) opinion is that DePakote is not effective for migraine headaches. M 43 1.5 years
8/17/2006
 1  Daily migraine preventive Acne, nausea, hand tremors, weight gain (15-20 pounds), hair changed to curly, no menstral cycle, hot all the time I found I had just as many daily headaches taking the medication as not. It was a horrible experience and I am still suffering from its "side effects" even after being off of it for 5 months. F 32 1 years
8/17/2006
 3  Bi-Polar I had EXTREME hair loss, tiredness, fatigue, depression worsened, nausea, hand tremors and anxiety I would not take this drug because it really effects your liver. F 27 7 months
8/8/2006
Email

Previous Page       Next Page

BACK TO TOP