Was taking Depakote ER 500mg 2X day for three months for seizures. Begining of fourth month noticed significant hair loss. Fifth month medication was been changed to topamax. Hair loss has slowed but not stopped yet with no sign of regrowth. At this poit have lost about 20-25% of hair on top of my head and texture is very limp. Has anyone been through this? My doctor thinks it will come back, but he does not seem to have any information beyond that.
Have experienced hair loss while taking Depokote ER, any experience if/when for regrowth?
Question posted by sixcentz on 12 July 2010
Last updated on 12 October 2021
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18 Answers Page 2
ad4295
14 July 2010
Yes, I have been using Depakote for about four months and I have experianced severe hair loss as well. I was told that this is only temporary but it has not stopped. My hair appears to be thininging and not balding in a particular spot. I am highly considering not taking this medication any more for this very reason. If you are experiancing Hair thinning and are a male you may want to try Head and Shoulder's new Hair thickening shampoo I heard it works very well. I am a female however and since the shampoo specifically says for men on the bottle I have not used it. Good Luck
sixcentz
14 July 2010
I am female and have tried the head and shoulders volume shampoo, has a zinc base, does seem to be helping to slow down the fall out... so far. Hair looks a little better using it also, not as limp. Just wish I could get a better answer from my doctor he doesnt seem to know or be concerned with my situation. Felt really good with Depakote even though I gained weight. If he could just have answered my questions about the hair loss instead of just changing the medicine to Topamax (which is horrible) maybe there was something else that could be done? like a vitamin along with the Depakote or somethng? Finding a new doctor...
alipoo60
15 June 2011
Yes, my mother is having the issue with hair loss on Depakote as well and decided on her own to cut her dosage in half without consulting doc. My fear is that she may end up doing more damage to her mental status and that will not be a good thng at all.
Mamajane0
29 Aug 2016
I too have been on Depakote 1000mg a day for around 4 months for bipolar and my hair has started to fall out, and lots of it, my psych said it will grow back but it will probably be very curly and without pigment, I'm having to be weaned off this medication over a period of 4 weeks due to seizure risks, I'm in week one of withdrawal and it's rough!
Inactive
12 July 2010
I take Depakote (been on it for some years now) and have not loss a sinlge hair... thank God.
But as you not all organisms react int he same way... hopefully this will not happen to you as it has not happened to me.
Depakote ER,
These are common side effects. (there are many more, but you were specific to what you wanted to know)
Valproic acid also causes skin reactions such as alopecia (loss of hair), rash, itching and sensitivity to sunlight.
Topamax (topiramate)
I also take this med... again also a common side effect is hair loss (again there are many other side effects related to this med). and the same as Depakote... no hair loss for me.
Before I start a new med I do research on it... but that´s me... I do not have all the answers..I am not trying to be negative or bring you down ... but you asked and I answered what you specifically wanted to know.
Good luck... from a caring individual
Inactive
12 July 2010
I have not heard of anyone losing their hair on depakote. Was this the only med that you had been taking?
Inactive
12 July 2010
No disrespect at all.
Inactive
12 July 2010
Check your email, answered 1 of your PQs
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depakote, depakote er, seizures
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