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Divalproex sodium User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

Brand names: Depakote, Depakote ER, Depakote Sprinkles

Divalproex sodium has an average rating of 6.6 out of 10 from a total of 486 reviews on Drugs.com. 52% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 24% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Divalproex sodium

  • Anonymous
  • April 4, 2011

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Mania "So glad I had the opportunity to read how others feel about Depakote. I have used Depakote for 8 years now for the manic side of bipolar disorder. I have not had one manic episode since on the medication. Great right? I also feel as though the past 8 years of my life have slipped by and are a bit of a blur. I was an artist, graphic designer, and had a sense of humor. Now I feel like a numb hermit who continues to stay on this medication because she doesnt want another manic episode."

4 / 10
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128 Report
  • Sweaty...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • September 3, 2013

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Depakote for 10 years. I can tell that it does calm me down. As most people are saying in this forum it does make me very tired. The symptoms that I have had for 10 years are extra sweating, (it seems to be coming from my scalp and down my face). Weight gain that I can't seem to lose, and I'm wondering if anyone else has a ringing or drumming in one or both ears. I've been to many Doctors just about my ear but they can't find anything wrong. "

7 / 10
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101 Report
  • Mood...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 9, 2019

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I must start off by saying everyone is different and will react different. My condition is unofficially diagnosed. But I was told when I was a teenager I was a maniac depressive with possible hormonal imbalance. Recently I have had two major mania events. Accelerated heart rate, palpitations, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, mood swings, confusion, and memory loss to name a few. The night I took this medication I felt it kick in. I felt great and had so much mental energy I didn't have before. It has been working for me. I suggest eating when you take this medication it can make you nauseous. I haven't seen any side effects other than that. Each to their own though. Just wanted to post this to this forum to let you know if this doesn't work for you there is a medication that will work. Don't give up !"

8 / 10
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52 Report
  • Crazy...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 30, 2014

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I recently found out I was bipolar 2 at the age of 24. I was 16 getting panic attacks didn't think anything of it. Finally I started getting more stress as I got older. I was on an antidepressant for 4 years not knowing I was bipolar. Someone who is bipolar should not just take an antidepressant because it will just put them into mania. That is what was happening to me. I checked myself into the hospital for intrusive thoughts, I'm not depressed I don't want to hurt anyone or myself but didn't know why these thoughts were coming so often. I also suffer from severe anxiety. I now take 40mg of Prozac 500mg of Depakote and 0.5mg of Ativan twice a day on Ativan. My medicines are starting to work wonders for me. I'm me again!"

10 / 10
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89 Report
  • Necik...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 27, 2021

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I love this medication. It has been a life saver. I have anxiety that cripples me emotionally and physically, but when I started this I literally felt a weight lift off my shoulders. At first (didn’t last long) it made me a little drowsy, but I didn’t mind, rather be drowsy than panicky and fidgety with racing thoughts. I will say this medication works better for me in smaller doses. If I take 500 mg all at one it makes me emotional. So I take 250 at night (sleep) and 250 in the morning if I need it."

9 / 10
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35 Report

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  • chris...
  • April 20, 2010

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "Although reading the possible side effects can be scary, this medicine gave me my life back. I had a little hair loss, at doses above 1000mg, but it's been great in stabilizing my mood swings. If I go off of it, I have an episode within a month. I had no weight gain (actually lost weight I had gained from taking Seroquel previously). I take it with Wellbutrin SR and a little Abilify. But the Depakote is by far the most effective. I've been on it for over 3 years."

10 / 10
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118 Report
  • Anonymous
  • September 7, 2009

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I would give Depakote a lower rating based on my personal experience with it, but I don't want to skew the overall rating. For whatever reason, I did not respond to Depakote as a mood stabilizer. This is surely not the case for everyone. The problem is that while taking this medicine, I gained 30 pounds, as I constantly felt hungry. I was warned ahead of time that this tends to keep the brain from perceiving fullness (or something to that effect). I noticed this within a few days of starting Depakote but continued taking it because I didn't have many other options at the time. The weight gain created an entirely new aspect of depression. Just something to keep in mind if you're just starting it and weight gain is an issue."

5 / 10
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122 Report
  • Anony...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • December 23, 2015

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I am honestly the happiest person ever since my Psychiatrist prescribed Depakote for me, NO MORE RAPID CYCLING!! I take two 500mg tablets about 20 minutes minutes before bed and I sleep throughout only waking up when my back aching in pain; I'll save that for my Baclofen and Prednisone post. I do not experience the manic highs as I was once did; however I still have my low days but everyone does! My low days are no where near the days when I on Trileptal or any SSRIs. I was taking Ability and Lithium for a week (this is my experience) I started seeing the world in two-dimensions, sort of like the early Nintendo characters. I freaking out!! That was it. Make sure to get blood tests every months to ensure your Depakote are in line. A "

10 / 10
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77 Report
  • Tiger...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 20, 2014

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I'm on Depokote 250mg in the morning and 500mg at night. I am also on olanzapine 5mg and fluoxetine 20mg which works wonders together. I have bipolar and whilst on Depokote suffered a bad spell of depression so was put on fluoxetine which has changed my life, I'm such a happier calmer person now."

10 / 10
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83 Report
  • Depan...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • April 22, 2019

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "No way! Been on it twice in my life. I was extremely bloated beyond recognition and in a deep mental haze. I could barely function. My doctor kept saying “you need to take care of yourself before you can care for your family”. And she was right. I got off it, weight loss has been slow but I got my face back I looked like a hamster on it and I went up 5 pant sizes on this medication. I got my energy back. On this stuff I slept all day. Off this medication I am enrolled in school and on the path to a new career and I am able to be awake to live my life off this stuff. And care for my family."

1 / 10
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50 Report
  • 1ks
  • October 4, 2016

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I started depakote 3,000mg straight off when I was 15 years old I have since been taken off from it and still paying the price for it. It made me hungry constantly i gained a total of 50 pounds in 7 months I had no energy at all and no feelings no happy thoughts no sad thoughts I was literally a zombie and now I'm still seeing new doctors and switching meds all the time and I've had enough nothing is working and no one can help me I really need help and can't find it anywhere"

1 / 10
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67 Report
  • busybee
  • July 6, 2010

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I am shocked to read the high amount of mg's that people are being started on. Every review I have read about Depakote it's been mainly 1000mg also 500mg. That just blows my mind! With any medicine you have to be eased into things and adjust from there! I began with 250mg, my Doctor told me that after a few weeks I could adjust it to taking 2 doses (500mg). Just to play around with it to see if I in fact needed to go higher. So I did, when changed to 500mg it made me crazy, nutty, mean and intolerable. I backed off and on 250mg again. I have been normal and perfectly stable ever since. I have yet to read a person taking the lowest dosage as a starting point. Start slow and work your way up (if needed). This medicine has been a lifesaver!"

10 / 10
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104 Report
  • Madol...
  • December 4, 2017

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on generic Depakote for 12 years. Prior to it, I took lithium for 28 years. On Depakote, I lost 30 pounds; and did not have hair loss. I do get tired in the afternoon and take a nap. I feel the medication helps me live a good life. I believe I would be dead without medication that keeps me from being manic."

9 / 10
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58 Report
  • Chris...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 19, 2015

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I have to say this drug did more harm then good and my body is very dependent on it. In only a year span I started having serious weight and back issues. I have never had any issues with my back but all of a sudden my bones started to get brittle. Then the disc herniations started happening, and like a domino effect entire spine was damaged. I see along of info on children or babies effected with their spine but apparently it can do the same for a grown adult. I was put on this med for anxiety and what my dr thought was bp. Turns out as time goes by dr lowers my depakote and cAme to the conclusion I do not have bp. Great.. Damage done.. Abnormal EEG. , spine damage, and severe chemical dependency .. Lost my hair , my looks, weight ."

3 / 10
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72 Report
  • Stephie
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 13, 2018

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "Today is my second day on depakote. I was freezing yesterday and it was 80 degrees. I have been on gabapentin, lithium, celexa, wellbutrin, lexapro, and so many others. I tried to commit suicide 3 weeks ago and that’s when I decided enough was enough. As soon as my oldest started ninth grade I started sleeping on the couch, having crazy mood swings, and then my daughter graduated. I slept on that couch for 6 years. My husband worked 3rd shift and me day shift. I was self medicating with hydros then when I wanted to stop that I got addicted to Suboxone. I also have a thyroid disease and had no idea that played into it. I’ve weaned myself off all drugs and now they started me out 500 mg twice a day. And my thyroid medicine. This is going to be a long road but I know it will be worth it. Please don’t give up."

10 / 10
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50 Report
  • Anne
  • May 15, 2013

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Depakote for almost a year now. I also take Paxil and Wellbutrin. I gained around 10lbs right from the start. My weight has seemed to have stayed steady the last few months. It's extremely hard to lose it. I have been through a lot of different medications to try and treat bipolar disorder. Even with the medicines I'm on, I'm still depressed and like I don't matter. I'm very sleepy and can lay down and take a nap at any time. I started taking B Complex because I stay so sleepy. My new concern is memory. I can't think of words and dates or names like movie stars very fast and it concerns me. "

7 / 10
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83 Report
  • Qbug
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 10, 2014

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "Depakote was given to me for onset postpartum psychosis and underlying bipolar 1 as a mood stabilizer. It did it's job. Wonderful results mentally, obsessive thoughts were all but gone and combined with my antipsychotic, it made my life much better. But, the weight gain was hellish. I have gained 11 pounds in two weeks, and am looking at switching at my appointment on Monday. So, not good if you are looking for a weight neutral mood stabilizer."

10 / 10
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78 Report
  • SOano
  • January 27, 2020

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Mania "I have been on antidepressants and benzodiazepines for over thirty years for depression anxiety and racing thoughts from the anxiety. Started Depakote ten days ago and it has made an amazing difference, slowed my mind down enough to significantly reduce my anxiousness, only side effect mild tiredness no groggy feelings this has been so wonderful."

9 / 10
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39 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 1, 2012

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I am 29 and just diagnosed with Bipolar after a horrible manic depression cycle. Its worked great to stablize my moods but I'm scared after reading everyone's weight gain stories! I will have to hitch up my diet and exercise plan more. One thing I noticed that I didn't see anyone else write is that I have these horrible and extremely vivid dreams - they seem to be my fears realized. But they are so vivid and real that they hang over me all day. Has anyone else experienced this?"

8 / 10
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85 Report
  • Ivan
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • June 8, 2020

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I've taken the Depakote medication since 2014 and this is the only drug which eases my symptoms without causing extreme sleepiness. Classified as mild case, most of times I experience hypomania. Upon finding closure in therapy to change mindset and behavior, I've been channeling the disposition for self development and productivity, gradually gaining confidence and control, becoming less dependent on the medication, only taking a tablet each time I'm unable to manage the irritability and distress."

10 / 10
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35 Report
  • pres
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 30, 2018

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on depakote for over a month now, it has really helped me. I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 at the age of 16, I'm 21 now. This was the first medicine that I have tried. I still get down and depressed sometimes, but it is nothing like I used to. All of my suicidal thoughts have stopped, I used to have them multiple times a day. Depakote has also help very well with my anger and aggression issue, I feel as if i can live a normal life now and handle tough situations better. I would definitely recommend this medicine for anyone dealing with bipolar disorder!"

7 / 10
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45 Report
  • Carala
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • April 4, 2018

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I am very pleased so far with my experience taking Depakote. Before Depakote, I was taking seroquel for quite some time (a couple years) and although I was happy on that medicine, I was way too tired. Luckily my solution was Depakote. All I can say is I have tried medicine for 4 years now and it has been a long journey! I will always remember my first time taking Depakote. Normally I get very fearful and panic the med will make me sick. Not Depakote. Instead, I felt immediately better, happy even, and giggled. Once that wore off, I felt normal and slept an hour or two after taking it. I enjoy how I still get tired on this medication like seroquel, but it does not overwhelm my senses with sedation, and fog my memory as much. If anything, I have never been more myself! Only thing is now sometimes I laugh too much."

10 / 10
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48 Report
  • Toban...
  • October 15, 2013

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention "I've also been trying different preventive medication for migraines with my doctor and so far Depakote is working the best. I started with 250mg a day for the first week, now at 500 mg a day. Before this medication, I would wake up daily with chronic head pain in the neck or behind the eyes. Now I wake up almost every morning with a clear head. I haven't seen any side effects yet at this dosage and I've even lost weight since I've been proactive with daily exercise. I started walking 2 miles daily since taking this medication. With proactive exercise and eating habits, I think anyone can keep potential side effects at bay. Previously, I was on Topamax and had to stop taking it as the nausea/head fuzz was too severe for my line of work."

9 / 10
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73 Report
  • GlowC...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • October 14, 2012

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I am a female, first diagnosed at age 19 with bipolar disorder. They first tried Zyprexa which I had a horrible reaction to. The Depakote made me feel like a zombie for months, until it brought me back down to "normal". I stayed on approx 500 mg/day for almost 6 years, then backing down to 250mg until I stopped. I had started to feel depressed at 31 and was put on Lexapro, this led to a manic episode within a few months. Alas I am back on Depakote 500mg/ day. It has saved me. Luckily no significant weight gain besides 10 lbs I lost being manic!) but I do work out and try to eat healthy."

8 / 10
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  • Bolar
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 30, 2014

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "This medication helped my symptoms tremendously. The main issue I had (and had to stop taking the medication) was low platelet count. Please if you are on this medication have your platelets checked routinely. My therapist never told me this could be a side effect... I finally went to my family physician because I was bruising so badly."

7 / 10
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68 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.