Divalproex sodium and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Lep...
• August 24, 2009

Divalproex sodium for Epilepsy "As far as control, this drug has been a godsend. In the way of weight gain, this drug has been a nightmare. I have gained 90 lbs in the 10 years on this drug. I have tried switching medicines, but have had two seizures doing so. I am healthy other than the weight gain. The drug has done what it is meant to do: stop seizures. I call it being fat and functional."

• add...
• August 6, 2009

Divalproex sodium 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."

• Jud...
• September 16, 2011

Divalproex sodium for Hyperekplexia "I have taken Depakote for 21 years for a condition that causes me to hyper-startle and frequently fall. With Depakote, my condition is, for the most part, held in check, and even when I do fall on occasion, it is greatly reduced in intensity. I have gained about five pounds, but what a small price to pay! Incidentally, I take 250 mg morning and night and take no other medications for the condition."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "Have had migraines for over 20 years. Frequency had increased to more than 15-20 migraines a month. Some would go away with Imitrex or Amerge, some would not. Finally, went to see a neurologist (who was a migraine specialist), and we tried several medicines which did not work. She recently prescribed Divalproex Sodium 500 mg, and I have only had one migraine in 4 weeks. Gained 5 lbs, but a life without almost daily terrible pain is so worth the possible related weight gain. It is life-changing."

• fis...
• April 14, 2011

Divalproex sodium 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."

• Und...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "After two valiant attempts to get past the adverse effects, I'm finished with Depakote. The first attempt lasted a week; as it can exaggerate the effects of other meds, I became so drowsy I couldn't drive. For the second attempt, it wasn't combined with any other medication and lasted 3 weeks. I felt continually agitated and anxious, began to quickly gain weight, had terrible gas, and was going to the bathroom 4-5 times a day. Additionally, my hair began to fall out so quickly, even my husband noticed (and he's not very observant!). The most disturbing symptom was the frequent presence of pronounced, irregular heartbeats and at least one near-syncopal episode. All this in just 21 days-thanks, but no thanks!"

• Ash...
• March 27, 2018

Divalproex sodium "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."

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

Divalproex sodium 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

Divalproex sodium "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."

• hyp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 21, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "It has worked well for me. I was taking, I can't even remember what that made me sleepy all the time, and I did feel like a zombie. My doctor kept Zoloft 100 mg along with Depakote 500 mg due to my panic attacks. After about a year, we tried taking Zoloft off, but Depakote alone did not work for me. The combination did help my life a lot, more focused, I feel like I can organize my thoughts, get things done, follow through on plans... it changed my life for the better. The constant hunger and putting on weight are sadly too true for me, but given the improvement in the quality of life it gave me, I find it a small price to pay. Also, now that I am more focused, I find it easier to actually get to the gym to work on losing those 14 pounds."

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2022

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I must be one of the lucky few who don't experience any side effects from this at all. Not even weight gain. I told my psych that lithium is messing up my cognition and giving me brain fog. Along with Wellbutrin, he substituted this in but didn't mention the whole increase in neuroplasticity. My sharp memory is coming back and my learning abilities as well. I feel like I can retain information better as well. Thank God, because I was very close to stopping medication and abusing drugs to reduce my lithium levels back to crazy low like originally, so I could be incredibly sharp-minded again -- of course, the horrible paranoia would come back as well. I'm at 750 mg at bedtime, it also helps with my insomnia."

• Bad...
• May 2, 2011

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Depakote since June of 2006. I was initially started off at 1,000 mg and am now up to 1,500 mg. When I told my neurologist I want off it, she increased the dosage to 1,500 mg. I take it for epilepsy but have had similar problems as you all. I am 24 years old and am now balding. I have decreased ambition and have difficulty with memory and paying attention. I have gained about 50 pounds since starting it. Last year when my prescription was raised from 1,000 to 1,500 mg, I noticed a 15 lb increase in about a month. I am, however, not having any seizures."

• Spe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 14, 2024

Divalproex sodium for Mania "I'm on a very high dose, 2000 mg/day of generic Depakote ER -- I don't know why -- except the MD at the hospital put me on it and my current MD just went along with it. Has it helped? I can't say. Has it hurt? Yes, I believe it has caused an enormous weight gain."

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

Divalproex sodium "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."

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

Divalproex sodium "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."

• Cla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 16, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Diagnosis of bipolar type 1, with type 2 tendencies. Been on divalproex 375 mg, imipramine 75 mg for approximately 6-7 months. I have felt the most “normal,” I think, in 20+ years. I can now say I remember more things than I forget. The past 4-5 years, I would be in mid-sentence and forget what I was talking about (or a reaction to a medication). Activities of daily living are not such a chore, more zest for life. Perfectionist tendencies not as severe. I now have grandchildren, so I have to let go, I regularly care for them too. The BAD: I have gained about 35 lbs in 3-4 months and had bad dreams, thrashing about in bed. Any more weight gain, I will have to switch, and that is scary. Scary to gain more weight and scary to start over. Have had very bad, life-threatening reactions to so many mood stabilizers/antidepressants this past 5 years."

• Spl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 20, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Worked well, controlled my mood swings and hallucinations. Unfortunately, I gained 100 pounds in a year and a half. Also, remember to get your bloodwork done. My blood pressure and blood sugar shot up really bad."

• Anonymous
• November 22, 2011

Divalproex sodium for Epilepsy "This medicine has been generally quite effective in controlling my seizures, once I controlled for other factors like sleep, caffeine, etc. I gained 10% or so of my body weight in the winter, but I'm pretty confident if I work harder I can reverse that (by more regular workouts and more careful fat and especially carb intake)."

• Ano...
• August 18, 2016

For Mania "This drug really helped me! I noticed a huge difference almost immediately, and so did others around me. It helped me put down the bottle and focus on daily tasks, along with not freaking out on other drivers with road rage as I previously would do. I would definitely recommend trying it, at least. As far as the weight gain aspect, that's kind of in my favor because it was always hard for me to keep weight on/gain weight. So I'm happy to gain some weight. I gained about 10 lbs in a week or two. That being said, it has become a chore to constantly be eating and only eating healthy foods due to my extremely high triglycerides (genetic)."

• Mis...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 12, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar 2. Been on this medicine at 500 mg 2x daily for 12 years. I have not experienced weight gain. I have experienced some hair loss (not enough to be that noticeable as my hair is short and thick). I have experienced hand tremors. My treatment regimen includes gabapentin 200 mg 2x daily, Wellbutrin 150 mg in the morning, and Imovane 0.75 mg at night for sleep. Apart from 2 major crashes approximately 5 years apart from each other, this treatment regimen has kept me sane. I do still struggle with bouts of depression and anxiety but am able to cope. Up until the past year, I have been able to work full-time and go to school part-time. My treatment plan works for the most part. Tried other meds but keep coming back to this."

• mda...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 17, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "Divalproex 500 mg taken 2 times daily along with Wellbutrin 75 mg 2 times daily has been a life changer for me. I have tolerated both medications well. The divalproex did not cause any weight gain. In fact, with better control of my mood, I saw much better and more consistent workouts. I lost 5 to 10 lbs. My physician started me on 500 mg a day for a couple of weeks and then to 500 mg 2 times daily to stabilize my mood before introducing the Wellbutrin. It was a 6 to 8 week process, but well worth it. I would highly recommend the combination to anyone with mild bipolar."

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

Divalproex sodium 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."

• tmi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 17, 2022

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "My experience using Depakote for my bipolar 1 diagnosis has been extremely positive. I was hospitalized 3 times from 2002 to 2003 and given several different medications. Some of those medicines made me tired and almost living like a zombie. Eventually, I was prescribed Depakote, and it's been amazing for me. I've been taking 500 mg twice a day and 250 mg once a day. My dosage has been stable for over 10 years, and I no longer see a counselor. This has changed my life, and I feel confident and stable. I have put on a little weight, but that's a small price to pay for what Depakote did for me."

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

Divalproex sodium 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."

• Tro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2021

Divalproex sodium for Bipolar Disorder "My experience with Depakote was terrible. From severe weight gain to becoming bipolar to eventually being completely subdued and dumbed down. In three months, while still being sick and hardly eating at all, I had gone from having lost 15 pounds due to my illness to gaining upwards of 50 pounds in two months on Depakote. This took me from 222 to over 270 lbs, and my body did not level off in weight gain until I hit over 300 pounds. Needless to say, the doctors took me off Depakote and eventually put me back on Dilantin brand. For me, this drug was a real nightmare, and over 10 years later, I have still not lost the weight it caused me to gain. Personally, I would stay away from Depakote, but if you do take it, be careful about the weight gain side effect. It's brutal."