DEPAKOTE ER Reviews (DIVALPROEX SODIUM)Average Rating: 3.2 (181 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare DEPAKOTE ER with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by Date added. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
More on DEPAKOTE ER: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR DEPAKOTE ER | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 3 | Bipolar/ mixed episode | Started during a mixed episode. Every attempt to bump up to 750 mg resulted in bad side effects... Ringing in ear, insomnia and when I slept it was more of a sleep paralysis with EXTREME nightmares. Headaches, nausea and depression. Am currently on 500 mg and feel ok | F | 38 | 2 months 500 mg | 8/14/2014 | 3 | Bipolar | I like it because it gives me time to filter and process my thoughts. It makes me really freaking tired though. I got put on bupropion and it has helped a lot but I'm still so damn tired. | F | 23 | 6 months 500mg | 5/25/2014 | 3 | Seizure | F | 31 | 5 days 40 | 7/15/2013 | 5 | Nocturnal Epilespy | Hair loss, unexplained bruising on legs, loss of appetite, nausea, double vision, short term memory loss, sleepy. Almost all of these side effects have went away over time it was mostly just the first year. I'm still tired alot and will randomly have huge bruises appear on my legs, and I feel like I forget alot of things but that could just be a coincidence. It's the only thing that stopped my seizures so the side effects are not a big deal considering the alternative. | F | 29 | 10 years 500mg | 6/19/2013 | 2 | Bipolar 1 | Memory loss, insomnia depression/lack of motivation causing life events, anxiety | Pretty much was ok with a DepakoteER/Lamictal combo for Tx but I have come very concerned about memory retention through the last several years, general sadness and depression. If I miss a couple doses, severe agitation kicks in.Marked negativity the last several months. Doc seemed ok with "flat" mood most of the time during followups. Last appt. he recommended therapy for the depression but increased Lamictal. I just lost my 2nd job of 6 years, this last one due to oversleeping 2X (company policy -- termination). Brain fog with the job and performance, but have been concerned for a long time. I really don't want to increase Depakote, caused brain fog before, or add a drug, have had it with this. I feel like I have lost a decade off my life, cannot even remember events where kids were growing up due to memory. Sometimes wife says "don't you remember that" I don't , it just makes me feel awful. Never had issues with the hair loss, just a little weight gain. God bless to everyone with mental health issues, there will be a special place in heaven for all of us, I am positive of that. | M | 52 | 15 years 1500 1X day | 2/25/2013 | 4 | Bipolar II + Borderline | Weight gain, about 10 pounds but that may be my own fault. Tiredness the first few weeks. | Mood seems much more stable, I was manic when it was prescribed. Titrated from 500mg to 1500mg over 3 days. I was initially reluctant to take any meds, but I feel much calmer and yet energetic at the same time, rather than agitated as usual in a hypomanic mood. | F | 39 | 30 days 1500mg 1X day | 2/5/2013 | 4 | Bipolar | initially spaciness and sleepiness as well as difficulty concentrating. Weight gain and extreme hunger as well as some hair loss-this can be controlled with a multivitamin! The weight gain and hunger are slowing down and after a couple of weeks, the thinking improved greatly. Still get weird dreams, but I have had much worse side effects than this from other meds, so I handle it well. | This is a good drug; anyone who says take lithium or another drug before this doesn't know what they are talking about, everyone is different! Don't make general accusations about medicines and scare people away from something that may help them. Research is showing that people with different genes respond differently to bipolar medications, in fact lithium made me much worse, and there is new research that supports that apoptosis may increase in people who don't do well on lithium. My mood is much more stable, irritability, jealousy and anger are all but gone, and I exercise to keep the depression at bay. This is my second time on the drug, it worked wonders the first time too, but my liver enzymes shot up, not happening this time though, and God willing, it won't. Do I like taking medicine? No. Do I have a choice. No. So I will go with the one that works best, and no drug is perfect. Realize that now and you will be better off. As long as they are tolerable. Thank you God for letting me be successful on this! | M | 3 months 1500 mg 1X day | 11/26/2012 | 3 | Bipolar Disorder | Update: The tremors have lessened, but the heartburn is worse and I have now developed scalp pain and hair loss. I will be discontinuing the med and will have to hope that Seroquel will do the trick for mania. | F | 41 | 2250 1X day | 11/25/2012 Patient History | 4 | Seizure (convulsions) | Weight Gain and that's with dieting and exercise. Always feel hungry and can eat larger amounts than ever been able too! Lazy/Tiredness.. But stop convulsion.. | F | 32 | 4 months 1000 | 10/9/2012 | 1 | Bi-Polar | weight gain, tremors in hands, menstrual irregularities, short term memory loss, tingling in arms, swelling of lower legs and ankles, heat sensitivity. | I was tapered of Depakote and have been off this medication for 3 weeks. I feel clearer mentally and the adverse symptoms have lessened or ceased altogether. | F | 49 | 8 months 750 mg 1X day | 9/6/2012 | 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 day | 5/26/2012 | 3 | Bipolar II, GAD | Loss of appetite, tired heavy feeling that comes in waves, nausea, dizziness, sexual function is actually better... But I'm also on wellbutrin and vyvanse, which increase libido, foggy/distant feeling... But I had some of that before. | F | 24 | 1 weeks 500 mg | 4/29/2012 | 3 | Bipolar | Severe tremor/shakiness, bad constipation, extreme nausea throughout the day. | Worked wonderful for mood stabilization but the side effects outweigh the positives. Was sad to have to get off of it since it was working for my bipolar. | F | 26 | 3 months 1500 2X day | 4/23/2012 | 3 | Epilepsy | Stomach Pain, Nausea, GERD, Foggy Brain, Memory Problems, Verbal Problems, Slowed Speech, Extreme Fatigue, Tremors, Bone Loss, Mild Hair Loss, Loss of Sex Drive and life in general. | Prior to taking Depakote I did not have any of the symptoms stated in side-effects. I was a very active, hard working young career woman. I was diagnosed w/epilepsy after having a grand mal seizure at 32 yrs old. After bad experiences w/tegretol and mysoline it was determined Depakote was the best drug for me. After all these years I am still having these "side effects" which some have turned into real health problems. Such as: I have severe osteoporosis - broke 3 ribs and my foot getting out of bed 2 yrs ago. I struggle with major stomach pain, nausea and GERD on a daily basis. I literally shake now. And last but not least I feel like I have early onset Alzheimers because of the brain fog and memory problems. Seems like I can't put 2 words together. I have an appointment w/ my neurologist next week to discuss going off the medication. I have not had a seizure since 1988 and most of my EEGs have been good. Don't get me wrong, I think Depakote does a great job, but for me the side effects just don't seem worth it. I can't work. I want more out of life. | F | 56 | 22 years 500 MG 2X day | 3/14/2012 | 4 | Bipolar disorder | I found with this medication I gained 15 lbs. Also my orgasms seem to take a longer amount of time to be reached. Other than that I am very please with this medication. It serves it's purpose in keeping my moods stable. | F | 32 | 2 years 500 mg | 12/10/2011 | 5 | Bipolar Disorder | Very mild sexual dysfunction (slightly delayed orgasm), mild nausea if taken with no food, otherwise no nausea. | So far my side effects have been far fewer with Depakote than with many of the other mood-stabilizing drugs I have been tried on. Some sedated me, others put 40 pounds on me, one gave me tremors. I've experienced none of that with Depakote. Not every drug is for every person, but this one has worked very well for me. | M | 30 | 6 weeks 500 2X day | 10/28/2011 | 2 | Seizure control | My daughter began taking Depakote for years, ages 3-7 on a high dosages due to seizures. It controlled seizures. Her mood swings where terrible, anger, could not learn in school. Kicking biting, hitting and self injurious behavior. Again it controlled her seizures but the behaviors are not acceptable. We are now on Lamictal doing better for about 2 years now. | Never give up on your kids. They ONLY have us, no one else cares like you do....That is why you are on this site. | F | 3 | 4 years 300mg 3X day | 9/7/2011 | 5 | Bipolar/anxiety/migraines | Insomnia, reflux, diarrhea, bloating, dry skin, hair loss, achy teeth, teeth clenching, seeing things that aren't there, sore breasts, weight gain, short-term memory loss, mental fogginess. | You get used to the side effects. I now have to drug myself with Restoril to get to sleep. Despite all of the side effects, I still give Depakote a "5". I'm hoping my hair will eventually grow back. I gained 11 lbs in less than 3 weeks. At least I'm happy! | F | 44 | 3 months 1000 MG 1X day | 9/1/2011 | 3 | Severe Migraines/Clusters | I started at 250mg Depakote ER 1x/night. After a week I took myself off of it due sleeping 10-13 hrs. a night and still feeling extremely tired/drowsy during the day. Due to the severity of the daily pain and migraines I was having and at the recommendation of my Dr. I went back on it w/in 2 weeks. I increased the dose from 250mg to 500mg after a week. I figured that since I was incapacitated by pain every day maybe the Depakote would help, and that even if I was sleeping all day/night, at least I wouldn't be in pain. Besides extremely vivid dreams, the extreme tiredness is the only side effect that I've experienced. | I've been on Depekote for 4 weeks now and went from having daily migraines/moderate to extreme pain every day to having none/dull headache after 10 days on the med. Been mostly pain free since. HOWEVER, the side effect of sleeping 10-13 hrs every day and still feeling like I could sleep all day is making me consider whether or not to continuing taking this med. Dr. said these side effects would mitigate but they have not. My main goal is to get back to work, but cannot do so if in pain everyday or unable to function due to extreme drowsiness - catch 22. Background: I've suffered from migraines for 10 years with increasing frequency/pain within the past five years averaging 8-15 a month. This fall and last fall have been especially bad. Over the years, I had tried every preventative and they have either not been effective or the side effects were too extreme. This fall I suffered from especially severe migraines/possible clusters that led me to the brink. My neurologist is prescribing Botox injections which ins. just approved but am hesistant about this tx. | M | 31 | 4 weeks 500mg 1X day | 11/27/2010 | 5 | Anxiety & Mood Swings | I'm a lean guy, in shape. I just think I got used to any of the side effects years ago. Blood work/cholesterol/BP always good. | I have stuck with this drug. I tried changing once & realized how much it helps me. My life is far from perfect but I never get too 'high' or 'low'. I depend on it. Full head of hair too. | M | 38 | 10 years 500 2X day | 10/31/2010 |