Depakote ER for Epilepsy User Reviews

Rating: 6.7

Depakote ER has an average rating of 6.7 out of 10 from a total of 21 reviews for the treatment of epilepsy. 57% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 24% reported a negative experience.

10		19%
9		10%
8		29%
7		10%
6		5%
5		5%
4		0%
3		5%
2		14%
1		5%

Reviews for Depakote ER

ved...
Taken for 10 years or more
October 18, 2013

"51 yr old female. I've had seizures since I was 12, every kind. I was on every medicine under the sun. Taking Depakote ER and Carbatrol ER seems to be the only meds that work for me. Some side effects, nothing I can't handle, better than having seizures all day. (tired, sometimes depressed, trembles, jerks). I have grand mal/tonic-clonic about 1 every 10 years."

10 / 10

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25 Report

pee...
November 5, 2009

"My daughter (8) was on Valproic Acid (liquid) for a year. About a month ago, she began the pill form Divalproex. Both medicines stopped her gran mal and petit mal seizures. Friends and family have commented for the last year about her personality change. She is no longer a joyful and energetic child but has become very lethargic and depressed. We are currently researching different medicines to give her."

3 / 10

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20 Report

rai...
November 3, 2016

"Insurance covers generic only. The generic medication changes from manufacturer to manufacturer, the different brands change from month to month and can lead to breakthrough seizures. In order to prevent that, I must either pay out of pocket about $450 or find a generic for about $10 that works. I found one generic that works well and go from pharmacy to pharmacy tracking that one down."

9 / 10

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13 Report

"I have had no gran mal seizures now for 4 years. I was on regular enteric-coated Depakote since 1989 but always seemed to have a breakthrough seizure every 2 to 3 years. I am on 1750 mg of Depakote ER now per day, and I weigh about 175 lbs and am a 5.5-foot man. I was once diagnosed with complex partial seizures because I had a psychomotor seizure and petit mal once or twice, but most of mine have been gran mal/tonic/clonic."

10 / 10

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19 Report

Hou...
April 1, 2008

"After trying 4 different meds, this one was the first I was able to tolerate for a longer period. The seizures came under control, and all was well. Unfortunately, my ammonia levels (a very rare side effect but one that you need to be aware of) began to rise to scary levels, so I had to quit ASAP. However, if I had not had this issue, I would have gladly stayed on the drug."

8 / 10

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17 Report

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add...
August 6, 2009

"I have been on Depakote ER for about a year. I have had JME since I was 14 and tried Lamictal from about age 25-30 and had seizures every 6 months. Since I've been on Depakote ER, I have not had any seizures, jerks, or funny feelings in my head! It's been a year, but the only bad thing is I've gained 20 pounds."

9 / 10

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18 Report

Anonymous
May 5, 2009

"I've been on Depakote for 11 years, and it's worked pretty good. I was on Zarontin as well for a few years, but I stopped that about six years ago. Just Depakote ER since then, and I've only had 1 grand mal seizure. Works pretty well."

8 / 10

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16 Report

fis...
April 14, 2011

"I'm on 1750 mg of Depakote, which was fine for the longest time, but when the doctors added other medicines, unpleasant side effects and sometimes more seizures occurred. The only side effects I've experienced were weight gain and thinning hair, but I can help control and minimize the effects on those. It's the effects I can't control that worry me, just like it confuses me why most of my seizures coincide with my menstruation."

7 / 10

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13 Report

Reg...
October 13, 2008

"I have been on Depakote for about 11 years now. It works pretty well for the most part, but every once in a while my body gets out of whack, and I have seizures anyhow. My doctors have tried other medicines as well, but Depakote seems to be what works best."

8 / 10

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12 Report

tn2...
April 9, 2009

"I have been diagnosed with absence seizures and have had several Grand Mals for 6 years now, but have been seizure-free for 4 years after being put on Depakote ER. I went through 2 prior doctors and twice as many medicines before finding the right one. If taken in the morning, I get nauseous and I'm always tired, but otherwise, no problems. 155 lb female on 500 mg once daily."

7 / 10

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12 Report

Zar...
February 6, 2009

"It did do okay for my seizures, but I ended up with so many of the side effects, it was unbelievable. They had to take me off. I still have seizures to this day because they haven't found the right medicines. I have had a VNS implant, though, but still having seizures."

6 / 10

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9 Report

Anonymous
Taken for 2 to 5 years
July 26, 2021

"Thought it was okay until I gained 100 pounds. Never controlled my seizures well, but nothing has. Now starting a new drug and seeing a new doctor to keep me on the Keto diet. Lost 65 lb now. Still working hard to lose more. My new neurologist could not believe a doctor would put a female on this drug. My doctor will not even prescribe it."

2 / 10

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2 Report

Reb...
Taken for 10 years or more
October 27, 2021

"72-year-old man with epilepsy diagnosed at 13. Many seizures as a young adult, but seizure-free for approximately 30 years. Take 500 mg Depakote ER twice a day and Dilantin 100 mg twice a day. My side effect has been weight gain. But the medications have been very effective in my case."

8 / 10

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1 Report

Jan...
Taken for 1 to 2 years
April 6, 2020

"Depakote caused an increase in seizure occurrence as well as severity of the seizures. Extreme changes in sleep habits, appetite, behavioral issues, as well as severe and erratic mood changes, vomiting, and regular kidney stones."

1 / 10

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0 Report

Anonymous
February 10, 2009

"I took the medication for two years as a teenager. It stopped the seizures, but I lost all my energy and put on 40 pounds. Once I stopped Depakote, I nearly lost all the weight within 2 months."

5 / 10

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13 Report

nic...
June 16, 2009

"I have taken Depakote ER for a while with Lamictal. I have not had a seizure in 34 months. I do have hair loss and weight gain problems."

8 / 10

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13 Report

why...
Taken for less than 1 month
May 5, 2013

"Severe pain all over after taking, so I had to stop."

2 / 10

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12 Report

Joe...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
July 3, 2019

"Controls epilepsy but bad side effects: Worst was tremors, which got worse until I got off the drug. Replaced Depakote with Briviact."

2 / 10

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5 Report

sun...
November 19, 2008

"Been on for 10 years. Do have breakthrough seizures every 4-5 years (tonic-clonic)."

8 / 10

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8 Report

Man...
Taken for 1 to 2 years
July 14, 2021

"It stops my seizures, but makes my hands shake like crazy. I can't even write. I shake much more when I have extreme anxiety."

10 / 10

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1 Report

D H...
Taken for 10 years or more
January 1, 2023

"Very positive experience with Depakote, now Depakote ER. Monotherapy for tonic-clonic seizures since the 1980s. No seizures since 2004. I take one 125 mg per day."

10 / 10

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0 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.