Depakote ER User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• gre...
• July 14, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Depakote ER 1000 mg for 2 months, and it has almost solved my migraine problem. I still get a few slight nagging headaches, which are easy to treat with ibuprofen. The side effects of stomach upset and fatigue seem to be improving. I think I notice some weight gain, maybe too early to tell. So far, so good. I'm happy with this medication. My migraines were threatening my ability to earn a living, and many days were spent in bed. Things are looking up."

• Anonymous
• July 1, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "For two months now, Depakote ER has cured my migraines, which were occurring approximately two to three times a week, lasting between one to three days each. I had some of the blurred vision and trembling side effects, but the worst has been the weight gain, 10 pounds in two months, when I normally never, ever gain weight. I suppose, given the choice, I'll choose the weight gain. Wish I didn't have to choose."

• Anonymous
• August 9, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on Depakote for 2 weeks now. Not one single migraine. I was having them 2-3 times a week, and less severe tension headaches daily. I haven't even had the tension headaches twice now. I have not gained any weight as of yet either."

• ste...
• June 10, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "Responded well to this medicine, after failing everything, including Topamax. I had severe motion component with migraine. Could not stand, roll over, or lean over without increased pain/pressure. Depakote finally worked after trying many medicines for 2 1/2 months. Just don't like the weight gain."

• jam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Depakote has worked great for me. It totally helps with mania. The only medication that clears up my head and makes me feel normal. Also, it gets rid of my migraines. The only bad thing is a few side effects. I gained weight, and my hair fell out. And I was pretty lethargic at first. Takes a while, but once it kicks in, I felt like a whole person. I was off of it for a long time and recently was put back on it, so going through side effects again, but felt a difference right away."

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

For Epilepsy "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."

• ble...
• March 11, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Have been taking this med since 1992, with some breaks here and there. I too have been on what would seem every med for bipolar diagnosis. I take 1750 mg and also take 400 mg of Lamictal (another mood stabilizer, which seems to help with the depression). My only issue had been weight gain, which remains a problem. Ten years stable after being hospitalized for 8 months due to a manic episode and psychotic break (was only taking Topamax at that time). Would highly recommend."

• Mag...
• March 7, 2008

For Migraine Prevention "After trying Topamax for months with no relief, I have been on Depakote ER for three months with GREAT relief! I was having migraine headaches 17 out of 31 days a month, now, maybe one a month (taking Axert when I have pain). The only problem I have had is I have gained 10 pounds in less than three months. This is horrible for me, as I could have afforded to have lost 10 pounds when starting Depakote! My Dr. is going to have me try to mix in 25 mg of Topamax to suppress the appetite."

• LAG...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 14, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I started Depakote ER 2000 mg at bedtime about a year ago after decades of ineffective treatment for depression and anxiety. Depakote proved that I was misdiagnosed: it quickly alleviated my psych symptoms and allowed me to reduce Xanax XR dose by half and eliminate PRN Xanax. I haven't experienced the weight loss side effect, but did lose a lot of hair at first. The hair seems to be thickening up now. I would give it 10 stars except for the hair loss."

• pin...
• May 11, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking this medication for 3 weeks now. I have not had a headache since I started it. I was getting a migraine 3 times a week previously. Topamax did not help me. I am hoping for no serious side effects! This has improved my quality of life tremendously."

• Bip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "After my first manic episode at 39, I was hospitalized and chose Depakote over Risperdal due to weight gain fears. It's been 2 weeks, and along with intensive therapy and a healthy lifestyle, it's definitely brought me back to reality."

• Hap...
• December 10, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I was on Topimax 1000 mg a day for approximately 10 years. Yes, I experienced the side effects of tingling in my fingers and toes sporadically. Had a migraine maybe 1 time a year (prior I had 2 migraines a week). Finally, the Topimax became ineffective (body probably was immune) and switched to Depakote 250 mg a day (125 mg in the morning and 125 mg at bedtime). No headache! I did gain 15-20 pounds in the first 3 months - I was well aware of the possible weight gain. Weight gain is well worth it - when the alternative is migraines. Have to weigh pros and cons. Also, I take OTC 5-HTP to combat the fuzziness and such. Can't complain...."

• Joa...
• September 7, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Depakote ER for three weeks. I've had 4 migraines during this time, which is less than before the Depakote ER. My GP had me on three different medicines for prevention, but the neurologist switched me to Depakote ER. I've had a little weight gain. The problem is I'm on Weight Watchers and should be losing weight. There have been times when my hands have felt shaky (similar to too much caffeine intake). I think it's also affecting my vision. I'm going to call the doctor and ask to switch to something else. Basically, it's helped reduce my migraine frequency but not enough to live with the side effects."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I have been on Depakote ER 1000 mg/day for over 7 years now, and my once 4 migraines/month have pretty much subsided to less than 4/year. That's a great improvement for me, as I've had them for over 45 years. Nothing worked before, just many pain medicines tried or shots to put me out for a couple of days, and the aftereffects weren't so fun. I would recommend this to anyone with migraines. Ask your doctor."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 26, 2012

For Mania "Depakote has really helped to get me out of the fog of mania. By the same token, so has lithium. I have found, though, that taking both together (by a doctor's suggestion) keeps the number of episodes pretty low. I don't know about anyone else, but sometimes when I get manic, I spiral out of control and actually experience psychosis (which is terrible). Good medicine though...better with other medicines."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication saved my 24-year-old daughter's life. She's struggled with what we thought was depression and anxiety since she was 15. Turns out the anxiety was mania. Finally, this year, she received a bipolar diagnosis. The turnaround has been amazing. She was nauseous for the first month, but now she's feeling great, and I've seen her smile for what feels like the first time in 9 years."

• pop...
• August 19, 2008

For Mania "Great medicine, it's the only one that stops the agitation that comes with being too manic for too long. It keeps me from crashing after mania because the mania never peaks. I would have given it a 10, but sometimes a little coffee can make me get manic even though I have taken the medicine."

• 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."

• Bla...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 28, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Wonder drug for me, although I only use it as a rescue med if I get an inkling of mania. I don’t take it all the time because I gain weight, and the hair loss is devastating. The upside is that it gives me curly hair (which also hides some of the hair loss). I lose about 50% of my hair volume. The curls slowly relax once I stop taking it. I still had waves two years after I stopped taking it full time. It’s the oddest thing. In addition to adding it as a rescue med, my doctor and I have carefully put together a drug cocktail that works for me: Effexor XR, Risperdal, and bupropion. I don’t feel over-medicated, and it took years to get the formula right. Never stop trying new meds if you aren’t getting good results."

• pee...
• November 5, 2009

For Epilepsy "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."

• d27...
• June 18, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I been taking 1,000 mg a day. I split up 500 in the morning and 500 at night for 3 months. I gained 35 pounds in the first month. It's a great mood stabilizer, but it only works part of the time. I have the shakes, acne, vision problems from it. I took Topamax before, it was great, but I got kidney stones from it. I need to get another med that actually works!"

• All...
• July 7, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I took this at night per my doctor, and about the 3rd week I noticed a huge change in my energy, and I started having severe muscle cramping and weakness. I woke up in the morning feeling beat up and muscle soreness everywhere. It didn't really help with my issue either. I stopped taking it, and 3 days later the muscle soreness was completely gone."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I started taking Divalproex (Depakote) 250 mg on June 10th, and then on June 17th, I was admitted into a psychiatric hospital because of my bipolar. I learned from the psychiatrist there that the dosage I was on was absolutely nothing and would have no effect on me. The psychiatrist ended up raising the dose to 750 mg. I definitely can tell that my mood is leveled out for the most part. I would recommend this to people with bipolar and people with seizures (I was diagnosed a few years ago with non-epileptic seizures). So far I don't see any side effects, thank God. I take this medication at night along with: Aripiprazole (Abilify) 15 mg, Trazodone (Desyrel) 50 mg, Hydroxyzine (Vistaril) 50 mg, Clonazepam (Klonopin) 1 mg."

• rai...
• November 3, 2016

For Epilepsy "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."