Depakote ER and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• Car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 4, 2018

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 of 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 that 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! The only thing is now sometimes I laugh too much."

• J2 ...
• December 1, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm going to say this. This medication has been a lifesaver for me. I've been on it for six months now. I take it for migraines, bipolar, and seizures. No noticeable side effects except for a lot of ear popping. I am a lot calmer than what I used to be. My anxiety is still there, but it isn't as bad as it was. I can actually function on this medication. My family can be around me now. I used to rapid cycle and have mixed episodes at least ten times a week. Now they're gone. It's nice to be normal for a change. No grandiose delusions. No audible delusions. I am a little bit sleepier than normal. But with a change of diet, I'm okay. No hair falling out. Just the normal hair loss when it comes to the change of weather."

• Alt...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 17, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I have had three severe manic episodes in my lifetime. First was not diagnosed. The 2nd severe mania hit in '02, and I was given Zyprexa. This took the edge off, but I would wake up in the early morning manic again, once it wore off. When Depakote was added, I really came down. I was manic-episode free for 15 years, with a relapse in ‘17. I was put on Zyprexa and lithium but was still flying high and fast - complete manic. Once a high dose of Depakote was added, I came down for good. This drug has been critical for resolving my manias. My experience with it for long-term treatment has not been good, though - lost a lot of hair, a lot of enthusiasm, and felt like I was in a stupor. I gained weight, but that has happened on all the useful drugs."

• Red...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 6, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Other mood stabilizers I have been put on include Latuda, Lamictal, and Seroquel. Depakote beats them all in both efficacy and tolerability. Was put on this in the hospital after a suicide attempt along with 40 mg Prozac. Greatest med combo ever for my bipolar. Definitely gained some weight the first couple of months, but as I was nearly underweight before, the extra weight filled me out nicely, so I can't complain. Currently taking 1500 mg at night. Definitely helps me sleep better without making me a zombie when I wake up (Seroquel). The only thing that can be a challenge is the general grogginess I feel on this drug. Definitely not like the fog left by Seroquel, but I do yawn a lot and sometimes I need a dose adjustment. But I believe it's a worthy trade for being comfortable in my own skin for once."

• Gen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Starting dose of 250 mg in the morning and 500 mg at night keeps me in therapeutic range, and very effectively controls my bipolar type II with mixed episode, but even with 20 mg Adderall extended release, I find myself incredibly drowsy and groggy in the morning. Unfortunately, this medication just doesn't agree with my brain chemistry, and I'm hoping to switch to Lamictal soon."

• Gen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Starting dose of 250 mg in the morning and 500 mg at night keeps me in therapeutic range, and very effectively controls my bipolar type II with mixed episode, but even with 20 mg Adderall extended release, I find myself incredibly drowsy and groggy in the morning. Unfortunately, this medication just doesn't agree with my brain chemistry, and I'm hoping to switch to Lamictal soon."

• kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I was put on Depakote ER 250 mg x 3 in the psychiatric hospital 3 weeks ago. So far, it's helped me more than any other medication I've been on. My thoughts no longer race, my triggers are dulled, my mood is even. It can be kind of a pain to remember to take it at the same time 3 times a day, but it works best with consistent use. I also take Prozac 40 mg daily and have had no issues with depression since discharging. Side effects include constipation, feeling flat, and sleepiness throughout the day. I consider it a worthy trade-off for what I was going through, though."