Depakote and Depression: What Users Say

• Cyc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm bipolar II. Recently started Depakote. Started out at 200 mg, now at 800 mg. So far, so good. Will write another review in another month or two. I was terrified starting this medicine, but it has been great so far. I'm still not at my target dose, but it has already helped racing thoughts, depression, and hypomania. I feel more hopeful, a lot calmer, and less stressed out. NO WEIGHT GAIN AT ALL. Not even a single pound. I've actually lost weight. Side effects? The first week I felt more depressed, but it didn't last. Tiredness, nausea, and a bit foggy after each increase. Easy peasy. I have tried 15 medicines including Lamotrigine, Trileptal, Abilify, Gabapentin, and countless antidepressants. Nothing worked. Fingers crossed. Big hugs to all of you bipolars out there!"

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 28, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "If you like being devoid of emotions, then Depakote might be for you and your bipolar disorder. Personally, it makes me feel dead inside. No joy, no sorrow. Nothing. Some might like this numb to life feeling. I like the ebbs and flow of life. Seriously, this has removed all emotion from my being. I enjoy nothing, at the same time, I don't dislike anything either. Bad medicine, stay clear."

• kel...
• December 10, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I was falsely diagnosed bipolar, which I think was the first issue. However, Depakote on a low dose (750 mg) did alleviate some racing thoughts and was effective. Once a doctor inappropriately put me on a high dose for someone who is not bipolar (over 1000 mg), I was a zombie! It made my depression significantly worse, I gained 50 lbs, slept all day and had no feelings. I am a talkative person by nature, and on this drug I barely uttered a word. I'm sure it may work for those with true mania, but I'd say if on too high of a dose, or even a low dose, weight gain is inevitable and sugar/carb cravings. I also just feel it dulls your ability to focus and suppresses happiness. Of course, that could've just been my depression. Just wanted to warn people either way."

• Tig...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 20, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm on Depakote 250mg in the morning and 500mg at night. I am also on olanzapine 5mg and fluoxetine 20mg, which works wonders together. I have bipolar, and while on Depakote, suffered a bad spell of depression, so was put on fluoxetine, which has changed my life. I'm such a happier, calmer person now."

• Bip...
• April 2, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Depakote 500 mg for a week, then increased my dose to 1000 mg after the next week. The next day, I began having terrible stomach pains and pains in my kidneys, especially after eating. I emailed my doctor, and he told me the side effects would subside, but they didn't. They actually got worse, and the abdominal pain would linger all day and night. I also had a hard time sleeping, I would wake up every 1-2 hours and sleep less than 6 hours a night, along with having very vivid dreams. The dreams later got more and more violent/terrifying, and I began to fall into a very deep depression, one I had never felt in my entire life. I stopped taking this medication after three weeks. I will never take this medication, even if it saved my life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 28, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "My husband has bipolar. When we first started dating, I didn't know he was bipolar, but every day was crazy until he had a nervous breakdown and this great doctor put him on Depakote. It took a while, but he got back to handling life and being more of himself. Don't get me wrong, there are still bad days, where he needs to sleep all day or he's ready to fight everyone, but I try to be his anchor, no judgments, but just being there for him. I married him for better or for worse, and it's now been 14 years. He's now on disability with Medicaid, helps a lot. I love him. He knows that no matter what."

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "Used this for a few months as recommended to prevent my frequent and painful migraines that I've had since I was 12. Depakote was okay, I guess. I still had two major migraines while on it and didn't give it any extra time because the side effects are awful! I wanted to sleep constantly. Felt depressed and irritable, and hated life! Plus, the weight gain alone I experienced in a couple of months was absolutely enough reason for me to not want to be on it anymore. I gained about 15-20 lbs!"

• J A...
• July 24, 2017

For Epilepsy "I used to have a wonderful, smart son. About 12 years ago, I noticed changes starting to take effect in his life. He was becoming agitated, he was losing his memory, he had no energy. I was told this was due to his having so many seizures. I just this week, after having a really bad week a few weeks ago, the doctor decided to take him off of this medication in a hospital-controlled setting. After one day of not taking this medication, I am starting to see the personality of my son come back. He had gotten to the point that he made terrible decisions, he was depressed often, he was confused and was losing his memory and his ability to talk and remember words. I'm sorry, but the benefits of controlling seizures were not worth this."

• 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."

• 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."

• tay...
• May 4, 2009

For Mania "I cannot account for those with bipolar I, but this may apply to you if you have been diagnosed with social anxiety, bipolar II, or a mild form of the disorder. On 1000 mg (combined with 200 mg Lamictal), I felt 'far away' when talking to people. I cut back down to 500 mg. I began to feel it was inhibiting my creativity; sometimes I felt 'dumb.' I used other drugs to combat the Depakote from holding me back. Plus, drinking on it caused depression and knocked me out. My doctor should not have put me on this medication to treat me for anxiety."

• car...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 9, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "Got on it for migraines, it worked great for the first 8 months. The last 4 months, I've gotten depressed, panic attacks. I lost weight, so weight gain wasn't an issue, but I've always had issues with weight loss and not gaining. Made me lose appetite a lot, and I was never thirsty either."

• Anonymous
• November 14, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "29-year-old male with bipolar 1, 10 years on Depakote. Depakote was the first medication I was prescribed during a manic episode, along with Seroquel, which I discontinued or use only for emergency mania/sleep at very low doses"

• Ock...
• December 28, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "Been on Depakote for 6 months and gained 30 pounds, now with the disorder I worry about my weight like crazy. I also take Geodon, which has slowed me down, with no motivation at all. Beginning to wonder if it's all worth it. I do notice I never want to argue with anyone at work, and at home, I'm quiet 24/7."

• Mar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 18, 2018

For Epilepsy "Take 500 mg daily of Depakote. I have taken other epilepsy medications in the past that never caused symptoms quite like Depakote. Memory loss, tiredness, depression, if I forget to take it, boom, aura, then seizure. Or a lot of times, a bit after taking it, boom, severe auras. My doctor, however, still thinks this medication is the best fit for me. I don't think so. Absolutely hate the side effects of this medication."

• Anonymous
• July 14, 2011

For Epilepsy "I have taken Depakote for 13 years. Tried Dilantin and Lamictal at one point. They never fully stopped the seizure activity. Once I have learned to take my pills faithfully and have the correct dose, it has become a HUGE BLESSING in my life. I am 'normal.' I have some of the side effects (weight gain, depression, hair falls out), but to me, it is worth it to lead a normal functioning life. I also went through pregnancy on Depakote, and I have a healthy 2-year-old."

• sou...
• August 24, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Depakote for 10 days. I also take 250 mgs of quetiapine, 50 mgs. My psychiatrist is reluctant to diagnose bipolar but seems to be treating me for it. I feel calmer so far on Depakote, but still feel a bit down. I was a bit high, my psychiatrist said I wasn't manic."

• Mea...
• September 4, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I had debilitating migraines for 15 years and went on a small dose of Depakote (125 mg) twenty years ago. It was amazing. Maybe five headaches over all those years. However, I have now gone off hormones and have steady weight gain, increased dizziness, and some depression. I am uncertain what to do. Our chemistry changes as we age, and the science is not keeping up."

• Anonymous
• April 28, 2010

For Epilepsy "Depakote was the first epilepsy medication I ever took, and it did work in controlling my seizures; I never had a single one while on it. However, every single 'lesser' side effect on the drugs.com description sheet happened to me. I became depressed, I gained weight, my body clock went totally haywire, and my periods, which were already irregular, became even more so. I attributed most of this to me just being in middle school (I was in 7th grade at the time), but most of it stopped after my doctor switched me to Lamictal a few months later."

• Anonymous
• January 11, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "After having migraines for about a year and trying Effexor, which made me vomit, this medicine worked miracles for preventing my migraines. However, it made me extremely depressed and even suicidal. I had to get off and switch to Topamax."

• its...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 29, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Before Depakote, I was a complete mess. Crying, rage issues, kept feeling like something bad was about to happen or I was going to lose my mind. It was a very rough 2 months of these feelings. When I started Depakote, I started noticing pretty quickly how much better I was feeling. I take 750 mg. My only negative is I've gained 11 pounds in 2 months and cannot shed them. I need this medicine increased, but the weight gain increases my anxiety and depression. So not sure if I'll stay on this. But it definitely helps if you don't mind gaining weight!"

• Dep...
• October 4, 2020

"Nightmare in a word. I had massive weight gain during the 8 months on Depakote, my face swelled up. I looked like a chipmunk, my once pretty face was gone and replaced by triple chins. I found out I had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease diagnosed after 8 months on Depakote. Slept all the time, couldn’t wake up. Made me agitated and didn’t relieve depression. I sort of existed, and nothing made me feel any way or another-numb and sedated and then agitated. How is this supposed to help psychiatric issues? The worst part was that it’s been painstakingly difficult to lose that weight since discontinuing. It should really be pulled off the market. I wouldn’t recommend anyone it, especially getting it from county health care because they forget to test blood levels and herded me around like cattle. That was my experience on it. Discontinued it and moved on with my life and am doing much better now."

• Jb3...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 30, 2020

For Epilepsy "I have been taking Depakote a while now. I've been seizure-free for years, however, I feel this drug has some side effects. I feel depression, can't sleep most nights. I'm thinking of talking to my doctor and getting off this drug. Honestly, I don't want any drug. I want to try to go drug-free and hope for the best."

• sus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2021

"I don't like this drug. I was put on it for anxiety. I was on Ativan on and off. It was unbelievably effective. I felt calm, solid, and stable. With Depakote, I am having side effects: nausea, tired, full of anxiety, deep depression, dizzy. This is an old-school drug that should be retired."

• Bad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2021

For Mania "I started on 2000 mg a day, 1000 mg in the morning, 1000 mg at night. Got taken off 7 other meds that were working for it. Have been having bad manic episodes, depression, and anxiety. Have tremors, can't eat or sleep. Almost as bad as Haldol. Not a wonderful drug at all. Been on it over a month and now have to wean myself off it. I just want this out of my life."