Depakote and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Man...
• March 10, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Started having migraines about ten years ago. The only treatment that has ever worked for me is Depakote. Everybody is different, but for me this was a Godsend. Nothing worked, and Topamax was only a temporary solution. The thing is that after a two-month regimen, my headaches completely went away. I stopped taking the medication for two or three years before my migraines returned. I went on another regimen, and again I went several years without a headache. Yes, I did have slight weight gain, and yes, it did affect my ability to perform sexually, but I did not have to continue taking it for more than 3 months. Cysticercosis as a child and a catalyst of factors cause my headaches. Depakote works."

• Med...
• December 2, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I've taken a lot of meds in 19 years and took Depakote for around 1 year. Weight gain about the same as Lithium. This drug gave me hallucinations at night and freaked me out big time. Beware. I didn't hallucinate before the drug, and now that I've stopped it 6 months ago - no Depakote = no hallucinations."

• Mel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 2, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I am not very fond of Depakote. When I took it, it didn't improve my mood swings that much. In the beginning, it made me nauseous and caused my hair to fall out. No, I didn't go bald, but it thinned out my hair enough that my hairstylist noticed. Eventually, my hair stopped falling out, but I gained a lot of weight and I had very bad tremors and bad coordination. If you do decide to take this medicine, make sure your doctor tests your blood regularly. I think you are supposed to have your blood tested every 6 months."

• Pat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I started up on 250 mg and ended up at 1500 mg. I noticed very subtle effects, if any. Hard to remember, I went through a lot and was on Seroquel also at the time. Seemed to have a slight calming effect. However, after time, it raised my liver enzymes and lowered my platelet count (which is a potential side effect). So I went off of it. I don't have many hypomanic episodes and never a manic episode, so I don't know why my dose got that high. Didn't notice anything significant. Gained 20 lbs, made me sick and tired. Wasn't for me."

• Lwa...
• October 6, 2009

For Mania "I have been on Depakote for 4 years now, and I haven't had an episode of hypermania. This has changed my life. I have gained about 40 pounds, but it is a small price to pay for the positive changes. I control the anxiety with occasional Klonopin. I am working on a healthy diet and exercise for the weight."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I am 20 and on 750 mg of Depakote a day. Gained 10-15 pounds within the first month of taking this medication, but now my weight is remaining stable. I am eating healthier and running each day, though. When I first started taking it, I was so restless/anxious, I had to pace around like mad. It took about 3 weeks to really end my mania in combination with 2 mg risperidone. I am experiencing easy bruising now. Sleeping 10 hours a night. Have an irregular period. In general, I move more slowly. I am cloudy in the morning. I don't get upset with my family anymore."

• Wil...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 4, 2016

For Epilepsy "I currently take Zonegran-I love love love it!-Prior to this, I took Depakote-for me, this drug sucked-I was lethargic, my hair fell out in clumps. I went from weighing 225 lbs to 389 lbs, and I developed sleep apnea. I was taking 500 mg of Depakote four times per day-2000 mg of this stuff. I had several seizures in my sleep, one where I fractured my ankle on the bed frame. The weight was the worst, I could not control it. I wish I could submit a picture of myself while being on this stuff. After I got off this drug, I lost 160 lbs. My dad saw the before pic and didn't know who I was. Maybe this works for some, but not for me. I would never take this again!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "My 14-year-old son went on Depakote about 3 months ago for abdominal migraines and head migraines. After trying a number of other migraine medicines, Depakote was the only medication that stopped the continual vomiting, nausea, and headache he had been experiencing for over 2 months. It did take 4 weeks for the medication to build up in his system to prevent the symptoms. He is now on 750 mg of Depakote and feeling great! The only side effect he is experiencing is weight gain, but we believe with proper diet and exercise he will be able to control that."

• els...
• November 24, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar type II almost 2 months ago at age 40. It was long overdue. My psychiatrist started me on Depakote 250 mg twice a day and Wellbutrin SR 150 mg in the morning. Also take trazodone or Ambien to sleep. I can tell that my moods are much more stable on Depakote, no more hypomania and staying up a week at a time. It's a relief to get back to much more normal, but I do miss the hypomania in many ways (I work full time, have a family, and go to graduate school for a double master's degree-- hypomania was great with those things at once). I am still on Depakote 250 mg twice a day. Depakote will change my life as long as my body tolerates it. I'm trying to deal with the ravenous appetite. Up 10 lbs already."

• Anonymous
• December 3, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "Been on this medicine for more than ten years. The 8/10 is for it is due to its overall minor side effects over time, and its very powerful effects when not taken consistently. Be advised. This medication works best when taken at the exact time(s) every day, and I have experienced all other symptoms people have described as bothersome, but this is not the typical take it to be a walking zombie pill. I also don't think people realize how much they are moving when manic, and when on this medication, you calm down. So it's completely natural to want to sit around all day and watch T.V. I also have gained weight and have difficulty shedding the pounds, however, I would rather be sane and curvy. I weighed 130 lbs starting, now am 178 lbs."

• tee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 20, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Depakote at 1000 mg for the past year and a half. I also take Risperdal at 1 mg and just added Zoloft at 100 mg as well. The only positive thing this medicine has done for me is rid me of mania. I am constantly depressed and have persistent suicidal/negative thoughts. I feel like I have been sleepwalking through my life since I have been put on this medication. Also, I have gained 50 pounds and am so hungry all the time. I also have zero libido. When I say zero, I mean zero. I have had sex on this medication, and it was the most unenjoyable experience ever. Just nothing. Next time I go to see my psychiatrist, I am going to ask to switch medications. This might work for some, but it has not worked for me in the slightest."

• 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."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Didn't realize how great it was till it was gone. After 4 years of failed cocktails until I found Depakote with Zoloft. I was on it for 3-5 months @1250mg and had excessive weight gain, insatiable hunger, but worth it! I was productive, positive, stabilized, making plans and following through. Then liver enzymes high @ 6 mo. and abruptly taken off... horrible move by panicked doctor. On my third medicine since and all bad results. Any opinions on Depakote retry while protecting my liver with milk thistle & turmeric? My last blood work was best it's ever been. I have no faith in my doctor and am seeking a new one."

• lin...
• March 14, 2014

For Epilepsy "Taking Depakote for grand mal seizures since I was 12. I'm 28, it has always worked unless I don't take it. It thinned out my hair, made me gain 15 lbs, and makes me really tired. I take 1000 mg a day. It is very toxic for your liver, you really should not drink on it! Working out helps with battling the tiredness. Hoping to switch to Lamictal again. I hate the side effects, but it works great for grand mal seizures!"

• mop...
• June 4, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "My 17-year-old daughter started taking Depakote 750 mg 1 1/2 months ago. She has gained 28 pounds. When the dose was upped to 1500 mg, she had daily migraines. We have seen several improvements in her symptoms, but not enough to keep her on a medication that makes her gain weight and decreases her self-esteem."

• Rox...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Depakote has overall been a very good experience for me. I started it about two months ago, and I have not had a manic episode since. I was on Lamictal for 8 years, I went all the way up to 500 mg, and it touched on it and even caused motor tics. The reason why I was able to last that long on it was because Klonopin was masking the symptoms. Once I discontinued, the motor tics vanished. I did not lose hair on the Depakote or have any nasty side effects, but I did gain weight. Now it's stable, and I changed my diet and started exercising. It increases appetite and slows down metabolism, especially in women. But overall, I would say great medication! I no longer need the Klonopin either, which became habit forming."

• Kay...
• April 23, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "Depakote worked great as a migraine preventative, but caused a weight gain of over 100 pounds in less than 3 months. It also caused non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (aka extreme fatty liver). I also now have Type 2 diabetes. My body was shutting down because of Depakote. If you decide to take it, please, please, please keep up with the blood tests to check liver function and see your doctor immediately if you have sudden weight gain. By the way, after over 12 years, the last 50 pounds of that weight gain is stubbornly hanging on."

• Cpc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "I have struggled with migraines for 14 years. I have tried so many medications over the years. The past 3 years, my migraines have gotten worse. I have been put in the hospital for a week to a week and a half at a time. The last time I went to the neurologist, they added Depakote twice a day to see if it would help cut back on the number of migraines I was having. I would have at least one a day. I was currently on Topamax twice a day, Fioricet, and Zofran. When I started Depakote, I noticed my weight was going up. Well, I have been on the medication 3 months now, and I have gained 40 pounds. This is so crazy. I used to weigh 298 lbs, and I don't want to go back there when my scale started going over the 200 mark again."

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "Taking Depakote for migraine prevention. My headaches finally went away after a year and a half of chronic migraines. Free for 7 months, but my headaches have returned now. I've also gained 10 pounds since I started the medication, had some hair loss at the beginning, and I do have a problem with constant anxiety."

• Hap...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 4, 2015

For Epilepsy "I'm 24 years old, and I've been epileptic for about 12 years. I've seen my fair share of doctors, and I was either too medicated or ignored, so remember, the doctor isn't always right. I recently found my current doctor about 3 years ago, and she has gone above and beyond for me. I am currently seizure-free and can drive. I currently take 1000 mg Depakote ER a day, 200 mg of Topamax a day to balance out the weight gain. I do have a slight problem with my hair, it won't grow, but that's okay."

• Rai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I take 1000 mg at night and 500 mg in the morning. And I'm always tired. I slept 15 hours last night, and I'm still tired after drinking 3 cups of coffee. I have bipolar disorder 2, and I don't have manic episodes anymore. Still experience delusions, but certainly less. I seem to have gained about 15-20 pounds. I also take 300 mg of Seroquel, which can cause weight gain and drowsiness. If it weren't for weight gain and drowsiness, things would be good."

• jes...
• August 9, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Depakote ever since I was diagnosed (finally) with bipolar disorder. I am currently on 1000 mg per day, but have taken as high as 2000 mg per day. On 1000 mg per day, I am (or have been) somewhat stabilized, which leaves me somewhat hypomanic, which seems to be the best level for me. I say somewhat stabilized because I started to go hypomanic in the past 2 weeks, have no idea why. Going to see the doctor tomorrow. For the 2 years or so when I was on 2000 per day, I was also taking 40 mg per day of Paxil. My moods were stabilized all right, but I turned into a zombie. I have never taken another mood stabilizer, so I cannot make comparisons. Depakote makes me gain weight big time!"

• Luc...
• October 21, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "For prevention, I give Depakote a 10. I was having migraines 7 days a week. Mine began at the age of 4 (at least that's when I was old enough to put words to how it felt in my head. The doctor said I'd probably had them long before that). I have genetic and environmental migraines. Lucky me! I was in a test group that tried Depakote to see if it worked for the prevention of migraines. I went 14 days without a headache for the first time in 10 years. That was almost 30 years ago. Then the weight gain started. I already had a yo-yo weight problem. My weight (at 6' tall for a female) had never gone over 190. On Depakote, it skyrocketed to 262 lbs. Not nice! I told my neurologist who told me it was all in my head. Changed doctors, taking Topamax now!"

• csb...
• May 5, 2010

For Migraine Prevention "Very good for helping with migraines, but if you're prone to weight gain, be careful or reconsider. I have gained about 30 pounds in 5 months. I struggle with depression, so gaining weight is not something that I'm dealing with in a good way. It came on very quickly, and I was already overweight... (Just a word of warning about the weight gain)."

• fif...
• August 10, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "Could not afford Abilify out of pocket, started back on Depakote. I had no problem with gaining weight. I do, however, find I tend to be a little more moody, but less frequently. I take it with bupropion XR. Seems to be a decent cocktail. Not too potent, and not under-effective. I like how it does not create a sedative effect like antipsychotics."