Divalproex sodium User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Sus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 27, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Honestly, this medicine has saved my life! I went from having multiple long-lasting episodes of mania to none. Yeah, I still get the thoughts, but I'm relaxed and able to make conscious choices now that I'm on it. The only negative side effect is the hair loss, but it's temporary, but so worth it. Nothing is better than feeling like you are in control of yourself, and this medicine does this for you. Don't be scared to ask your doctor about it!"

• Zee...
• April 9, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I was put on Depakote ER and Celexa for depression and anxiety. My mood and depression were helped, and it knocked out my migraine headaches completely. I experienced so many horrible side effects, though. I gained 50 pounds in the six months I was on this, I lost my hair, I developed tremors that have not completely subsided, I had horrible stomach problems, heartburn, it made me extremely lethargic, libido was gone. This was just my experience with Depakote, and if it weren't for all of the side effects, I would have stayed on this medication. Hope this helps."

• Pat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I started up on 250 mg and ended up at 1500 mg. I noticed very subtle effects, if any. Hard to remember, I went through a lot and was on Seroquel also at the time. Seemed to have a slight calming effect. However, after time, it raised my liver enzymes and lowered my platelet count (which is a potential side effect). So I went off of it. I don't have many hypomanic episodes and never a manic episode, so I don't know why my dose got that high. Didn't notice anything significant. Gained 20 lbs, made me sick and tired. Wasn't for me."

• Anonymous
• June 20, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "Manic bipolarism for 7 years. Know I'm a type 'A' person, Depakote, Effexor, Xanax. I come from the medical field, lab, and have seen people come in for blood work on everything from lithium to Thorazine. I have (with M.D. agreement) backed down from 500 mg ER Depakote to 250 mg ER every evening along with a sleeping pill. The sleeping pill is new, so next time I will give the name. When 'they' found me, I was so gone into what we call our 'BLACK HOLE.' I truly have no idea what all they tried...BUT the Depakote, according to my wife (nurse for 34 yrs), was my marriage and lifesaver."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "My 14-year-old son went on Depakote about 3 months ago for abdominal migraines and head migraines. After trying a number of other migraine medicines, Depakote was the only medication that stopped the continual vomiting, nausea, and headache he had been experiencing for over 2 months. It did take 4 weeks for the medication to build up in his system to prevent the symptoms. He is now on 750 mg of Depakote and feeling great! The only side effect he is experiencing is weight gain, but we believe with proper diet and exercise he will be able to control that."

• kyg...
• November 17, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "I have had migraines most of my 67 years. 5 yrs ago I found a doctor who prescribed Depakote 250 mg. My migraines decreased from one per month to maybe five in the past five years. Taken in combination with sumatriptan succinate tablets (only when I feel the onset of a migraine), I have a life mostly without pain."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar disorder. This is the only drug that's worked without breaking me out in rashes or making me feel so drugged I couldn't work or function. The only problem I have with it is it makes me a little hyper. It controls my temper well, without making me sleepy."

• Dep...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 4, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "After the birth of my daughter, I had a depressive episode. I would like to note I was 40 pounds overweight after having my daughter, normal after childbirth. I delivered a healthy baby, and my pregnancy had no complications, and I had normal lab results on physicals before Depakote. After being on it, I ballooned up another 40 pounds. The Depakote messed with my thyroid issues, gave me obesity, sleeping about sixteen hours a day, mental fog, severe fatigue, depression, and fatty liver diagnosis. I like walking every day, and after the depabloat, I could not get the energy to walk anymore. The doctor blamed everything on me (wonderful doctor). Before Depakote, I did not have any of these problems. So beware. The professionals can care less what the medication does to you. I wouldn’t take this medication again. This was all over the course of eight months. The doctors will blame you for every adverse side effect to cover their own bottoms when prescribing this crud of a medication."

• sim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 1, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I have a migraine 4 to 6 times per week. I have tried Maxalt, OTC drugs such as acetaminophen, Excedrin, Advil, PM meds like Advil PM, amitriptyline, and now Depakote. Depakote has done nothing at all to improve my migraines. At this point, I wonder if anything is going to ever help my migraines. All of the meds I mentioned above do not help. I'm at my wit's end. I tried Topamax too a few years ago, and it made me so nauseous and didn't help my migraines. I had an MRI done, and the ENT doctor said there were no brain abnormalities seen on the MRI disc. I don't want to be a guinea pig (hey, try this), or a medical mystery. All I want is some pain relief. Caffeine doesn't help, nor does alcohol. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks!"

• Lwa...
• October 6, 2009

For Mania "I have been on Depakote for 4 years now, and I haven't had an episode of hypermania. This has changed my life. I have gained about 40 pounds, but it is a small price to pay for the positive changes. I control the anxiety with occasional Klonopin. I am working on a healthy diet and exercise for the weight."

• YDP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I've always suffered from migraines. I take 500 ER twice a day and gained 16 lbs in less than 3 weeks. Since I'm already overweight, this caused severe back pain in which I can barely walk, and my legs are numb. Works wonders for my migraine, but the side effects aren't worth it!"

• Kba...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 15, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve noticed no change in my mood swings or manic tendencies on this drug. I still go through both; in fact, I’m concerned it could be causing me some insomnia. I’ve taken it for about a year, and in the last month I’ve dealt with major depression and mood swings, which bring me swiftly to paranoid thoughts and delusions. All in all, it’s done literally nothing it’s prescribed to do. Everyone will have a different experience on different drugs, so take this with a grain of salt."

• Sio...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 12, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "2007 - Put on 750 mg/day of Depakote alongside Lithium 800 mg/day. Killed libido stone dead. Did not help stabilize mood but worked away destabilizing good lithium effect. Found this out after stopping Depakote in 2014. Depakote has caused prostate cancer, which was removed by radical prostatectomy in June 2014. So it has caused me to be severely incontinent now, with erectile dysfunction. This month, June 2016, it has been confirmed I have Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer. Depakote is the suspected trigger again. These effects result from being put on Depakote for seven years with no investigation of physical symptoms being reported to 'psychiatric professionals.'"

• Gag...
• October 6, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I honestly don't know how many stars to give this medication as much as I've never had such an experience. I was in a coma-like sleep when my therapist came, I heard myself say, 'we need to go to the airport,' when actually I never said anything at all. I felt drunk waking up, started losing my hearing, and it got cloudy. I only took it for a month, but being in that state of mind frightened me. I gave it up, and my hearing is mostly back, about 98 percent, but my balance and coordination still suffer from the medication but have improved since I stopped it. I was so upset that I called the FDA and reported my experience, I would hate for anyone to go through that. On the plus side? When I was awake and aware and not 'drunk,' it did help my manic episodes."

• Wil...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 4, 2016

For Epilepsy "I currently take Zonegran-I love love love it!-Prior to this, I took Depakote-for me, this drug sucked-I was lethargic, my hair fell out in clumps. I went from weighing 225 lbs to 389 lbs, and I developed sleep apnea. I was taking 500 mg of Depakote four times per day-2000 mg of this stuff. I had several seizures in my sleep, one where I fractured my ankle on the bed frame. The weight was the worst, I could not control it. I wish I could submit a picture of myself while being on this stuff. After I got off this drug, I lost 160 lbs. My dad saw the before pic and didn't know who I was. Maybe this works for some, but not for me. I would never take this again!"

• Man...
• May 15, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Noticed that Depakote improved stability of mood and reduced depression. However, it did not help with mania mood swings. This drug also totally removed my libido. I have never experienced such an inability for sexual activity than while taking this drug. A week after stopping the drug, and sexual libido is back. I would avoid this drug if male."

• Sav...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 26, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I've spent my life since puberty trying various SSRIs and one SNRI with poor outcomes. Finally, I received a BP2 diagnosis, and since then have been on this medication for a little over a year. I've had neither crushing lows nor frenzied highs since starting this medicine. Even old triggers, like poor sleep or the onset of wintertime, do not cause me much disturbance anymore. This is the only drug I take for my condition. It has significantly curbed my anger and anxiety as well. The only side effects are nausea and stomach cramps if I take it on an empty stomach. The pills smell like vanilla and have a coating that makes it easy to swallow (doesn't stick to your throat). For the first time in a decade, I feel very close to 'normal.' I have hope for my future. For me, this medicine has been a blessing. Bipolar is a serious neurological condition, never be afraid to seek help and advocate for yourself. To all reading: you've got this, and I believe in you!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 14, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "Before Depakote, I've tried vitamin B2, verapamil, and Topamax, but for one reason or another, none of them have worked. About 6 months ago, my doctor started me on Depakote. Once I started using it, my daily headaches became a lot more tolerable, but haven't gone away completely, and my severe migraines are at about once a month. However, like many others, there was a noticeable weight gain-about 20 pounds-soon after I started, and it's been pretty steady since. I've also had a bout of depression recently, but it's hard to tell how that's related to the medicine because it isn't my first time. As of right now, I'm not sure the minor benefits are worth the side effects."

• els...
• November 24, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar type II almost 2 months ago at age 40. It was long overdue. My psychiatrist started me on Depakote 250 mg twice a day and Wellbutrin SR 150 mg in the morning. Also take trazodone or Ambien to sleep. I can tell that my moods are much more stable on Depakote, no more hypomania and staying up a week at a time. It's a relief to get back to much more normal, but I do miss the hypomania in many ways (I work full time, have a family, and go to graduate school for a double master's degree-- hypomania was great with those things at once). I am still on Depakote 250 mg twice a day. Depakote will change my life as long as my body tolerates it. I'm trying to deal with the ravenous appetite. Up 10 lbs already."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I am 20 and on 750 mg of Depakote a day. Gained 10-15 pounds within the first month of taking this medication, but now my weight is remaining stable. I am eating healthier and running each day, though. When I first started taking it, I was so restless/anxious, I had to pace around like mad. It took about 3 weeks to really end my mania in combination with 2 mg risperidone. I am experiencing easy bruising now. Sleeping 10 hours a night. Have an irregular period. In general, I move more slowly. I am cloudy in the morning. I don't get upset with my family anymore."

• Cha...
• May 21, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "Medication was very effective at controlling silent migraines, but long-term use (more than 10 years) has resulted in a 60-pound weight gain, hair loss, and shakiness. Recently, I have felt very fatigued and confused."

• Eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "It did help a bit, but you really have to watch out for side effects. I recommend starting a mood journal if you haven't already while taking this medicine. It made me very violent without realizing it."

• tee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 20, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Depakote at 1000 mg for the past year and a half. I also take Risperdal at 1 mg and just added Zoloft at 100 mg as well. The only positive thing this medicine has done for me is rid me of mania. I am constantly depressed and have persistent suicidal/negative thoughts. I feel like I have been sleepwalking through my life since I have been put on this medication. Also, I have gained 50 pounds and am so hungry all the time. I also have zero libido. When I say zero, I mean zero. I have had sex on this medication, and it was the most unenjoyable experience ever. Just nothing. Next time I go to see my psychiatrist, I am going to ask to switch medications. This might work for some, but it has not worked for me in the slightest."

• SFL...
• September 8, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking Depakote ER for approximately 4 weeks now, with good results. Prior to this medication, I was experiencing frequent dull pressure-type headaches, some lasting several days, and occasional short-duration sharp migraines. Since using Depakote ER, I have had no migraines and only a couple of very mild and short-duration pressure headaches. I realize it's only been a short amount of time on this medication, but the relief has been quite noticeable for me. I have also not experienced any sudden weight gain side effects, however, just prior to starting this medication, I commenced a healthy eating regimen, which has actually caused me to lose several pounds, and which may be contributing to my weight situation."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "This is a very effective drug for most people with bipolar and anger disorders. It can be used in higher doses when there is also a diagnosis of insomnia. It does different things to different people, but it is generally tolerated well. I'm a RN with bipolar and also work with a psychiatric population. Just a PSA: if you have a loved one with psychiatric issues in a facility because you don't want to/can't deal with taking care of them yourself, you have no right to complain when the facility medicates for behavior issues. 1) You didn't want to deal with it yourself, but now you expect others to. 2) 'Behaviors' usually indicate the patient is in a distressed state; nobody hits/kicks/screams/refuses care because they are comfortable and happy. It might upset you that mom can't be away exactly when you want her to be, but it's really not about you. Take her home and take care of her yourself, and if you want to stop psych meds when it's your turn, then more power to you."