Hi, Had to take 250 mg of Depakine (Depakene/depakote) for my mood (subscribed from my housedoctor. Took it 11 days. Quit on monday because of severe side effects (heavy legs, sweating, heart palpitations, etcetera). It's funny that the heart palpitations are not mentioned in the leaflet over here (Europe) but on the internet I can find information that they ARE a side effect but less common. I underwent an ablation in october last year. Everything was fine but that stopped when taking this medication. Anyone can relate?
Heart palpitations a side effect of valproic acid (Depakene/Depakine/Depakote)?
Question posted by K73 on 19 Feb 2015
Last updated on 4 April 2020 by carofino
Added 19 Feb 2015:
Plus I felt 'generaly ill', mood swings, oedema, in short: bad.
3 Answers
carofino
4 April 2020
If you think the heart palpitations are bad now wait until you try to stop taking the drug. The withdraw is worse even with a taper.
balbanese
19 Feb 2015
Yes, this is not uncommon, especially when first starting the medication.
K73
19 Feb 2015
Thank you! Did you take it? I am glad that I stopped taking the meds monday evening. It will be out of my system soon. I guess it takes one week.
balbanese
19 Feb 2015
Yes I did.
kaismama
19 Feb 2015
And its one of the common side effects too. I know docs think when they are prescribing these drugs they are safe. They need to know the side effects and the past history of the patient. I have no idea why it wouldn't be in the info in Europe, its in the FDA info. I just looked at a different reference I have at home and it didn't have it in. A doctor shouldn't have to hunt for the side effect either. If its a side effect it should be reported across the board. The manufacturer needs to report all the side effects. Of course they can always pop up and be a new one, but this was a known one. We as patients need to be more proactive with our care too. We need to not trust a human being with our lives without any question. Doctors aren't God and certainly can't know everything. Read the info from the pharmacy, Go online and look at other references, before you take the medication. Not to be afraid of taking it, but to be aware that these things can happen. Are you going to have to have more work done now?
K73
19 Feb 2015
Thank you for your reply. It is very much appreciated. My doctor gave me depakine for my mood and deja-vu's I experienced lately, mostly when tired and it has nothing to do with epilepsy. My pharmacist found it very strange that he gave me such a 'heavy' drugs. I had many side effects, but the palpitations were bottersome. My doctor didn't believe me. And actually I am thinking of taking a different housedoctor because lately he does 'strange' things. I do hope they subside. Also I read that Depakine messes up your hormones and I always have lots of palpitations around ovulation, so now it was hell (ovulation and depakine together). So I am most certain that the Depakine messed up my hormones and so it made my heart even more irregular. I have several healthissues OCD, depression, Ménière disease and a slight form of cardiomyopathy. So I do hope that my heart will return back to normal.
I don't know how long I may post comments here but I will try to keep this post of mine updated. I only took 250 mg instead of 500 mg because I know that I am sensitive to new drugs. It's good that I listened to my inner voice.
Related topics
depakene, depakote, bipolar disorder, arrhythmia, hyperhidrosis, valproic acid, side effect, heart
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