Depakote ER User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Huz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 5, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I was suffering from bipolar for 10 months. After taking many medicines, I was on divalproex 500 mg for 3 years and lamotrigine 150 mg for 2 years. I was able to handle stress and forget that I have any depression. My dosage for both was kept to the lowest: 250 mg for divalproex and 50 mg for lamotrigine. But at this stage, after having stress, my symptoms recurred but were not as severe as before. I will have to increase the dose again."

• Abb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 14, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed Depakote for mood stability with the benefit of possible migraine control. I noticed the slightest amount of difference in impulsivity, but looking back, it was most likely due to other medication changes at the time. We increased the dose hoping for better results, but all I received was side effects. I took one dose at night, and the increased dose just made me incredibly ‘loopy,’ and I wasn’t able to move properly as my body was incredibly weak. On the higher dose, the fact I wasn’t able to get out of bed without falling over and emotional mood swings made the slight benefits just not worth it. Once stopping the medication, I figured out that Depakote had increased the ringing in my ears (which luckily improved dramatically after a few months of not taking it). One benefit of this medication was that it was extremely easy to use, and if your body is able to tolerate it, it is absolutely worth giving it a go. After all, you never know until you try it!"

• Dal...
• March 3, 2008

For Epilepsy "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."

• Hou...
• April 1, 2008

For Epilepsy "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."

• add...
• August 6, 2009

For Epilepsy "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."

• Anonymous
• May 5, 2009

For Epilepsy "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."

• fis...
• April 14, 2011

For Epilepsy "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."

• 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."

• Mvn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication helped me within 1 hour of taking it. My rapid thoughts slowed down, and I felt less anxious, but I felt way too foggy, and it made me do stupid stuff because it dumbed me down very much. I felt really slow, and then I felt extremely irritable and hot. My heart felt so bad, so I decided to not take it. However, it’s better than Abilify and Seroquel, and especially Geodon - don't ever take Geodon."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I've been on Depakote ER once at bedtime for only 6 weeks, and it has cut my migraines in half. Still get my normal headaches as well. Would like to give it more time to see how it works. So far, no side effects at all."

• 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."

• Ash...
• March 27, 2018

"I have major depressive episodes and have serious derealization when I have these episodes. Depakote has literally been my lifesaver. I am on a very low dose for a therapeutic treatment - 750 mg. Though not a lot, it is the perfect dose for me. I am so much calmer and feel a better type of me than I have in so long. I sometimes forget I struggle with major depression until I skip a dose or forget to take it for a couple of days. I used to be completely anti-meds, but when you actually seek treatment and get the right medications, it's a lifesaver! I take 750 mg of Depakote and 30 mg of Celexa. My only downside with this med is the weight gain. It will happen if you aren't extremely on top of working out and eating healthy - however, I can say that when I did Weight Watchers and exercised, I was successful in losing weight - so it's not necessarily impossible. I do also sometimes get blurry eyes randomly. The benefit of the medicine and the mental clarity I get is amazing and extremely worth it."

• Reg...
• October 13, 2008

For Epilepsy "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."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "This drug took me out of a downward spiraling mixed episode, for that, I'm thankful. However, being bipolar II, the initial dosage of 1750 mg, which was never recommended to lower after its effectiveness had been reached, almost put me right back to where I was. I wouldn't recommend this drug if you're on the depressive side of bipolar, or for any length of time/dosage that the medication isn't even recommended to be used for. I've since switched to Lamictal, we'll see how it goes."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication, Depakote ER, is a game changer if you have intermittent explosive disorder. I have IED, and I was in danger of losing everything, including my family. For the first time in my life, I’m clear-minded and at peace, no side effects whatsoever, taken with Wellbutrin, and I feel like a man that has never existed until now."

• tn2...
• April 9, 2009

For Epilepsy "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."

• Kmc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2023

"So I’ve been diagnosed with bipolar and then undiagnosed. I have severe MDD, crying fits, severe panic, and anxiety. I was petrified to try Depakote. I started at 250 mg ER twice a day and went up to 750 mg (250 mg three times a day). I have light sensitivity and I did gain weight, but partially that’s my fault for eating foods I should not. It has been my lifesaver. My new doctor recently lowered my dose and I feel horrible. Severe anxiety and depression, sleep issues, I’m going back up on my dose. Personally, my side effects have been minimal. Depakote is also very different as it helps produce GABA, which helps anxiety and panic disorders. I was losing hope, but it has been my lifeline."

• che...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 14, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I take non-generic Depakote ER 1750 mg, Haldol 4 mg, and propranolol 20 mg. I have some hair loss, insomnia, and shakiness. I believe the medicine is finally working after 17 years of trying every bipolar medication with Depakote ER. I lose my patience and get angry at customer service representatives sometimes. I lose my patience and get mildly angry at my husband, but it appears to be under control. The insomnia at times gets really bad, and I wind up calling Lifenet to cope. I will be trying melatonin 3 mg to see if this helps. I want to try 1500 mg of Depakote ER to see if my insomnia improves also."

• Naa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 3, 2019

"I've pretty much tried every mood stabilizer and have gone from 1800 mg of lithium to only 500 mg of Depakote. I haven't noticed weight gain at 500 mg, but when I went up to 1000 mg, I did, so I came back down (and the higher dose didn't make me feel any more stabilized). My cycles last 1-3 days, and it doesn't do anything for stabilizing my mood, but I don't care anymore since I cycle so quickly I can just wait for the next day and I'm a different person (yay...) - it does help a lot though for my anger problems and cluster headaches. I still have quite a bit of pain due to my cluster headaches, but I can deal with it, and I'm pretty sure it's because the Depakote helps. It's also been said to help with schizophrenia, but it doesn't do anything for me in that department."

• Mys...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 21, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Thank you, Depakote ER, for giving me a new life. I take Prozac and Depakote ER for bipolar. It has been a long road to accepting the fatigue, but the dangerous, uneven life I used to live, I had to come to terms with it. I had horrible manic episodes on other medications that did not work. This combo is perfect, except the fatigue is the hardest part. But I don’t have to suffer like that. I have breakthrough episodes, but I can increase the Depa dose if needed. The only medicine that has changed me and allowed me to live a normal life."

• Zar...
• February 6, 2009

For Epilepsy "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 26, 2021

For Epilepsy "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."

• Sun...
• December 5, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Tapering off Depakote now. Side effects I experience are muscle cramping and tension, food tastes weird, head throbbing, confusion, and numbness in hands and feet (also cold). Wondering if it’s seizing. Hoping Seroquel will work!"

• kel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 7, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I (age 27) wanted to share a positive and honest review. Depakote ER has helped me a lot. I have been on it for 1 year, since I was hospitalized for a mixed/primarily manic episode. I struggle with Bipolar I but mostly major depression, with occasional hypomania, mania, and mixed episodes. I also am diagnosed with GAD, OCD, ADHD, C-PTSD, and tics. Depakote ER really slowed down my racing thoughts and helped me regulate my sleep at 1000 mg. Granted, I do not take it alone; I take it with Rexulti, Effexor XR, Concerta/Ritalin, and Clonidine. This combo seems to work well. My only complaint is weight gain, but I'm learning in therapy to accept my body and exercise and eat balanced. I definitely think it works well for me (can't speak for others) for my mixed and manic episodes. Haven't had one since."

• Nun...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 30, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I was treated for clinical depression from age 18-40 using a variety of medications. I've also struggled with alcoholism, drug, and sex addiction most of my adult life. I had a period of six years of solid sobriety beginning in the mid '90s, but even sober, battled with diagnosed clinical depression. At that time, I was being treated with Serzone. The more the doctor increased the dosage, the more depressed I would become. I obsessed over failed relationships, acted out sexually and financially in very risky ways. I finally changed psychiatrists at the suggestion of my therapist. The new doctor analyzed my symptoms and indicated that I had been misdiagnosed with clinical depression. His prognosis was Bipolar II Disorder accompanied by acute depression."