Divalproex sodium and Tiredness: 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!"

• Phi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 13, 2019

For Epilepsy "I have been taking 1 Depakote 500mg ER brand tablet daily for 28 years (I am 40). Used to treat Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy. This medication has been a tremendous blessing for me as it has controlled my seizures for the last 26 years. I’ve had no side effects but I will mention that I was very active as a child playing sports and continued to spend many hours a week lifting and exercising all through HS and college. I continue to exercise at least 3 days a week. I mention my exercise habits for a reason. I have noticed that during the times when we had our children and I wasn’t getting good sleep and not able to exercise as much, I began to notice some possible side effects related to the medication (slight tremors, lethargy, difficulty remembering names). When I started back exercising, all the side effects went away. I am a practicing pharmacist and married with 2 healthy children. I realize that my story may be somewhat unique, but I decided to share to give another long-term patient experience."

• Swe...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 3, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Depakote for 10 years. I can tell that it does calm me down. As most people are saying in this forum, it does make me very tired. The symptoms that I have had for 10 years are extra sweating (it seems to be coming from my scalp and down my face), weight gain that I can't seem to lose, and I'm wondering if anyone else has a ringing or drumming in one or both ears. I've been to many doctors just about my ear but they can't find anything wrong."

• Mad...
• December 4, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on generic Depakote for 12 years. Prior to it, I took lithium for 28 years. On Depakote, I lost 30 pounds and did not have hair loss. I do get tired in the afternoon and take a nap. I feel the medication helps me live a good life. I believe I would be dead without medication that keeps me from being manic."

• SOa...
• January 27, 2020

For Mania "I have been on antidepressants and benzodiazepines for over thirty years for depression, anxiety, and racing thoughts from the anxiety. Started Depakote ten days ago, and it has made an amazing difference, slowed my mind down enough to significantly reduce my anxiousness, only side effect, mild tiredness, no groggy feelings. This has been so wonderful."

• Car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 4, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I am very pleased so far with my experience taking Depakote. Before Depakote, I was taking Seroquel for quite some time (a couple of years), and although I was happy on that medicine, I was way too tired. Luckily, my solution was Depakote. All I can say is I have tried medicine for 4 years now, and it has been a long journey! I will always remember my first time taking Depakote. Normally, I get very fearful and panic that the med will make me sick. Not Depakote. Instead, I felt immediately better, happy even, and giggled. Once that wore off, I felt normal and slept an hour or two after taking it. I enjoy how I still get tired on this medication like Seroquel, but it does not overwhelm my senses with sedation and fog my memory as much. If anything, I have never been more myself! The only thing is now sometimes I laugh too much."

• 46j...
• August 18, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Depakote was prescribed to me after two manic episodes. I've been on a lot of bipolar meds, so many that have made me so depressed I spent a whole summer in bed. Depakote definitely saved my life. It's been a year now, a little anxiety, but not nearly as much as I've had in the past, and a little weight gain and tiredness. But no mania and very little to no depression, so thank you, Depakote. I rate you a 10, it's been a year and no mania. :) You're a lifesaver. I take 1500 mg, though, so that might be why I'm so tired."

• qwe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 26, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Love this medication. After 2-3 years of severe, long-lasting manic episodes, I finally decided to take meds full time. Hardly any side effects, very hungry, simply eat normally and you won't put weight on. The medication doesn't make you fat, eating does. Occasionally very tired, and my stomach, from time to time, gets a little funny. Just take with lots of water and food. Very calm, can concentrate, no racing thoughts, level, basically gave me my life back. Works well at 750 even though I'm 80 kgs. Dr. upped me to 1000 mg but felt too sedated, so dropped back down. I move to 1000 mg if I feel like I'm starting to drift a little for a few weeks, then move back. However, this is the 7th med I have tried, all others have failed. Never write one med off."

• mou...
• July 19, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "Have been bipolar since '89. I have been on Depakote for 9 years, 500 mg x 3. I went from 210 lbs to 304 lbs. I have been on just about everything over the years. A little bit lethargic, but this seems to have stabilized me the best."

• soc...
• April 3, 2015

For Migraine Prevention "I have been having migraines for 3 years. I took a beta blocker that didn't work. Then got put on Depakote for migraines. I was on it for a month with no big migraines unless I had my trigger food. Then I realized I gained 5 pounds, was tired all the time, and broke out like I had never been before. The medicine works for migraines but has terrible side effects. Had to stop taking."

• Zee...
• April 9, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I was put on Depakote ER and Celexa for depression and anxiety. My mood and depression were helped, and it knocked out my migraine headaches completely. I experienced so many horrible side effects, though. I gained 50 pounds in the six months I was on this, I lost my hair, I developed tremors that have not completely subsided, I had horrible stomach problems, heartburn, it made me extremely lethargic, libido was gone. This was just my experience with Depakote, and if it weren't for all of the side effects, I would have stayed on this medication. Hope this helps."

• 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!"

• who...
• October 24, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Depakote ER for about 7 years and regularly for 5 years before. I am a rapid cycler, I think. Currently prescribed 2000 mg/day (1000 in the morning and 1000 in the evening). I notice weight gain (though it could be due to less nightly manic behavior and age), some upset stomach at times. Overall, I think it stabilizes me. Caffeine does make me feel more alive when on ER. Otherwise, I feel quite lethargic, apathetic, and less motivated. I tend to feel more like I am depressed when taking this medicine. Will look into a combination of anti-depressants."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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."

• jut...
• May 5, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "When it worked, it was great. Couldn't keep my levels the same, though. When levels went too high, I got tired and shaky and could not sleep. When it went too low, I rapid cycled between mania and depression. May work for you, but not for me."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Lis...
• April 18, 2018

For Epilepsy "I have been epileptic since birth. I have been on Depakote ER for over 20 years. I am now on 2500 mg a day (1000 mg in the AM and 1500 mg in the PM) for nearly a year at this dose. Thought there was just something wrong with me, not my epilepsy meds or my epilepsy. I was reading all the comments here, and I am definitely going to speak with my neurologist about taking me off my Depakote ER and possibly putting me on a different epilepsy medicine. I was reading through here, and many side effects others were or are having with Depakote. I was like, oh my goodness, that is the same as me. I have much confusion, literally losing my memory, can't concentrate or focus, migraine headaches have gotten so bad since I've been on this medicine - I can't remember a complete week with no migraines. Everything is always so hazy looking, I still have seizures back, though they didn't go away the whole time of about 2 years of being on Depakote. I always feel weak and drained, tired all the time, I switch back and forth from sleeping way too much to being tired but not able to sleep at all."

• 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."

• Sky...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 9, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I started taking Depakote in high school. (250 mg-500 mg). It turned my life around. I was focused, driven, sociable, etc. I felt like I was on top of the world. I had little to no side effects. I was so happy with life and was taking care of myself that I lost 100 lbs. I took it for a couple of years and felt wonderful, so much so that I convinced myself that I was fine and didn’t need medication anymore. I was wrong. I crashed hard after I stopped. A couple of years later, I’m back on it again, and I feel amazing again. A little tiredness and nausea. I have trouble sleeping but was prescribed medication to solve that problem. My racing thoughts have stopped and my extreme mood swings are almost nonexistent. Others have noticed my positive change, and they enjoy hanging out with me. I’m really glad it worked for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2020

For Mania "Depakote has helped my racing thoughts and anxiety so much. I take Depakote DR in the morning with my Lamictal. It’s great for racing thoughts. Depakote can make you kind of tired, one reason why I’m on Lamictal! I’m on 250 mg and will increase to 500 soon."