Depakote and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• tro...
• March 6, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "Took Depakote for almost ten years (300 x 3)... now I will admit I had three minor episodes in that time. Super, yes, I know, but I started at 140 lbs, in six months, I bottomed out at 206 lbs. I slept 12 hours a night, plus a nap of 2 hours in the evening. Someone finally caught the Depakote/Paxil fiasco, and lithium and Wellbutrin became my friends... more importantly, I feel like I 'woke up'. I lived the life, but it seemed so surreal looking back on it... It completely controlled me. It's not the Wellbutrin and the Paxil, it's the lack of Depakote (and for a large part, Paxil) that made me almost another person. I'm sure Depakote works for thousands of people... it just took me out of the equation too much."

• Ala...
• August 2, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I take 2500 mg Depakote per day for rapid cycling bipolar disorder, and it works very well. I've been taking this dose for 4 years. Few side effects apart from the inevitable weight gain and some hair loss. Depakote keeps the mood swings away for good and doesn't impair my movements or thoughts. I prefer this mood stabilizer."

• 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."

• hek...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 15, 2014

For Epilepsy "I was put on Depakote when I was 17 when I started to have seizures due to head trauma from a motorcycle accident. Initially, my dose was higher, I don't remember exactly how high, but then I was lowered to Depakote ER 500 mg once a day. As long as I took my medicine and didn't drink as much as before and got regular sleep, I did not have any seizures. When I've run out of the medication and went out and drank (like an idiot), I had a seizure the next day. This happened to me like 3 times, but it's my own fault. Anyway, as long as I take it daily and control any other factors that could cause a seizure, I'm seizure-free. I've never had a seizure while taking this. The first side effects were slight hair loss, which stopped. But I did gain weight."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I had a very rapidly fluctuating merry-go-round of symptoms, particularly psychotic-type symptoms, and Depakote didn't seem to have any effect. Cycling continued. It also made me physically slow and caused weight gain that mostly dropped after going off of it."

• Anonymous
• November 18, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been bipolar for 20 years and have tried many medicines, with Depakote and lithium being the worst. I also needed antidepressants too. I went from 117 lbs to 225 lbs in 2 years on Depakote, and being a zombie, I did not notice the huge weight gain. I switched to Lamictal and Effexor and felt so much better. I started a daily exercise program and was able to cut down on food and lost over 100 lbs within 2 years."

• Anonymous
• May 29, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I started taking Depakote 500 mg with Lexapro about 2 years ago. It made me feel like a zombie all day but worked well on my swings from extreme anxiety to deep depression and crying spells. I was very tired all day and had a hard time waking up for work, so we reduced to 250 mg daily. That seemed to be the sweet spot for me. I don't think I have many side effects from it besides maybe trouble losing weight. I'm very active and eat well but never seemed to get any weight off. I would also occasionally feel disconnected and distant from the world, but this was rare. I can't imagine life without Depakote, it has its problems, but I can function again."

• Eko...
• July 11, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder early this year after spending most of my life not knowing what was going on with me. I was prescribed Depakote at 750 mg a day to start with. I'd never had any other medication, so I cannot compare it to anything else, but without it, I don't think I would be here now. I got that bad with my mood swings becoming so severe. Yes, I've put on a little weight, but I'd rather that than go back to how I was. Yes, at times I'm still hyper and then exhausted for a few days, still better than being erratic and bouncing off the walls for days/weeks on end. I know it won't work for everyone, but I'm doing much better with it."

• Anonymous
• May 11, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I take 1000 mg a day for bipolar II. I first went on this medicine at 200 mg back in September of last year when I was in a manic episode and was first diagnosed. At that time, they also put me on quetiapine and citalopram. I am not just on Epilim. I am stable apart from a couple of days a month when I am very down. Reading the reviews, I am totally relieved to hear that other people just don't feel full on this medicine - I am constantly hungry. I never feel full and eat and eat. I go to the gym four times a week to try and counteract this, though. I have gained 28 lbs since starting to take this medicine, and I'm really trying to lose it, but it's tough, to be honest. Better than me being mad, though."

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Diagnosed with bipolar disorder BP1 year and a half ago. On generic brand ER (once daily in PM). Stops mania. Took a year to find the appropriate dose (750 mg). No weight gain. Exercising and eating well. Mostly sleeping well. Though on occasion must take 10-25 mg of Seroquel to help with sleep onset. Must increase water intake as it increases thirst. Eliminates paranoia, delusions, irritability, and destructive manic behaviors. My humor and empathy returned after episodes of psychosis (before my diagnosis). I’m stable now. Getting good sleep is a priority. Stimulants and THC trigger worst mania. With doctor’s supervision, I did go off Depakote to see if I could manage without having BP1 symptoms and quickly realized all symptoms returned. I immediately began taking Depakote again and all symptoms receded. This is an effective medicine for BP1. BP1 is a treatable illness. Depakote helps me live a full life."

• Jim...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 25, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "I have been suffering from migraines for about 15 years. On average, I would have a migraine at least weekly, sometimes more. About 8 years ago, I started on Depakote. I went from having migraines at least monthly to 1 or 2 a year. The last count was I hadn't had any for over 2 years. Now, just recently, I started having migraines more frequently. I have experienced some weight gain, but not sure if it's the aging process or the meds."

• So-...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 14, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I haven't really had a major manic episode since I started Depakote. However, it did not help me with normal agitation, violent thoughts, or anger. But trade-offs were weight gain, significant hair loss, and tremor. I was on 1250 mg/d and decreased to 750 mg/d. Cutting down didn't make me feel any difference. I wish this works out for most of you since this is one of the main therapies for maintenance."

• 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."

• Ban...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 4, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "In 2015, I got on Remeron and Seroquel. They made me gain a good amount of weight... 25 lbs, up and down. After years, they didn't have the knockout effect. Last year, in 2020, I was just stressed, all messed up, anxiety out of control. I was currently on 15 mg of Remeron and 300 mg of Seroquel. I was forced on Depakote last year, one year ago in March. Mentally, it worked great, 500 mg twice a day. My anxiety and stress went away. It's still gone a year later. The bad news is I've gained 35 pounds, have less sex drive, and thinning hair on the front, but not sure if that's the Depakote... but lots of people say so. Apparently, on 1000 mg a day, that happens. I'd say it's a great medicine for your anxiety and stress. Maybe only take 500 mg a day. Just like any of these medications, you will gain weight and have cons. But honestly, I was forced into it from the mental hospital a year ago; it did the trick, it fixed my life... and I love my kids, I still have emotions. The worst part is the weight gain and tiredness."

• sla...
• January 9, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I have taken this medicine for seven years... six of those in conjunction with Zyprexa. I ballooned from 120 lbs to 210 lbs in that space of time. I was not warned that this medicine has the potential to cause massive weight gain, and she insisted to me that the gain was nothing to do with the drug. Came off the drugs independently for 13 months, 95 lbs fell off me easily, but had another episode after that time. Am now on 500 mgs Depakote and 10 mgs Abilify. Don't notice any beneficial effects from this medicine: hair loss, nails breaking below the quick, hand and body tremors, forgetfulness, being abstract and far away, irregular sleep patterns. Want to ask the doctor to try me on Lamictal."

• Anonymous
• May 8, 2008

For Epilepsy "My 9-year-old daughter has used Depakote for 2 years now for seizure disorder. I am happy with it, as there are little side effects. We increased the dose when a seizure occurred. When the dose is high enough, it helps with her migraines as well. She gained 5 pounds, but we keep it down with a healthy diet."

• Che...
• May 11, 2009

For Migraine Prevention "I have tried Depakote for migraines, as well as childhood epilepsy. My son has tried it for bipolar disorder. It can and does make me and my son lethargic, can cause an increase in salivation, causes massive weight gain (from 105 to 155 lbs). In my opinion, the possible benefits are not worth the side effects."

• 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."

• pdx...
• October 10, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I am an active person with a healthy, gluten/dairy-free diet, and within the first 2 months, I gained nearly 40 pounds. I was crying all of the time, fatigued, and then my hair started falling out. It also led to a suicide attempt. Depakote may work very well for some, but for me, it was worse than the disease. Another downside was the cost. With insurance, it was nearly 150.00 dollars a month."

• Ljt...
• March 1, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "Depakote was started three months ago when we exhausted all efforts with every other preventive med for migraines and headaches. I have been experiencing these my entire life. Since 6 years old. Now 35. Imitrex was used to try to knock off the migraine, but insurance only provides nine pills a month, so I found myself breaking them just to get through a day. And if overused, they will no longer work. So I'm adding in aspirin and all that junk, ending up in the ER. Just to go back the next two days because the stubborn migraine would come back, or laying in bed holding my head with ice. Needless to say, on a small dose, 250 a day. Wow, a few headaches a week I can deal with. Weight gain, well now I can work out, no real excuse there."

• Anonymous
• August 21, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking this medicine for 3 weeks. During the three weeks, I have experienced severe mood swings to the point of psychosis. I have had irritability on a daily basis and worsening of depression. The psychosis has made me stop taking the medicine. I had been on Seroquel for years, and because of a huge weight gain, I stopped taking it. I don't know where to go from here."

• vol...
• May 14, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Depakote for 3 months at 100 mg to treat bipolar disorder type I. I did see improvements in my mood, but I also experienced weight gain due to the side effect of always feeling hungry. Also, I never felt the signal from my stomach telling me that it was time to stop eating and that I was full."

• Ann...
• November 23, 2016

For Epilepsy "It was bad. It made me gain weight. It made me have tremors, which will never completely go away now. I couldn't hold plates or hold cups without shaking. My head started shaking. My new neurologist took me off of them. I was on them for over 20 yrs. I would strongly think about other meds before taking this one, considering the side effects can't go away immediately or not at all."

• Dan...
• September 22, 2009

For Epilepsy "I have been on Depakote for about two years now, and it has certainly been effective in stopping both grand mal and petit mal seizures. I was diagnosed with localization-related epilepsy when I was 21, but this drug is great in that it treats many types of epilepsy. Still, I did experience negative side effects, such as hair loss, a little weight gain, and drowsiness, although all of these were slight enough that they didn't really affect my life. Because Depakote isn't ideal for young women like myself, my doctor suggested I try another drug. After a brief stint on Keppra (which made me feel like I was walking in a haze - awful!), however, I switched back to Depakote, only this time adjusting was way harder - I was incredibly emotional."

• APe...
• September 20, 2015

For Epilepsy "I was on Depakote for 1 year following 3 grand mal seizures that had been brought on by starting fluoxetine. Fluoxetine, and most SSRIs, carry the risk of seizures. They hit me hard and without warning, so I was on Depakote for a year after the final seizure and after stopping fluoxetine. It does what it is supposed to do. I had no more seizures; however, I gained over 20 lbs quickly. The weight came back off once I was off the Depakote, but you will most likely put on weight with this medication."