Valproic acid User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Blo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 27, 2019

"I was on this for borderline personality disorder. It was OK at helping some aspects. Impulsive behavior was made worse, anger returned within months, couldn’t remember anything and had a permanent brain fog. Hated it."

• Lud...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 7, 2019

For Seizure Prevention "My 13-year-old has been on this medicine for seizure prevention after he reached 2 seizures a week. It's been 2 years since we started, and it's been great! Almost seizure-free. He only had 1 seizure after watching the incredible 2 movie; I didn't know that the movie warned to be seizure prone. Aside from that episode, it's been great. Note that it also stabilized his mood-no more uncontrollable tantrums (he is also autistic)."

• Cry...
• January 9, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed this medication after being diagnosed with bipolar. After a few weeks, I found I was in the most depressive state I’ve ever been in - no hope, no will to live, the most insecure I have ever felt in my entire life. Did I mention the weight gain aspect of it? - actually water weight, not fat, but it isn’t pleasant regardless. I work from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. I go to the gym from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every night, yet I couldn’t sleep for the life of me. The insomnia it caused had me sleeping less than 3 hours a night, which when dealing with bipolar is just asking for trouble. I don’t like this medication, the side effects I had a problem with may seem “stupid,” but to me, feeling that way in general and about myself is not a life worth living. This medication made every day more of a struggle to get through than ever before. I have talked with my Dr. and am going to explore more natural supplements alongside my healthy lifestyle and therapy."

• Tro...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 26, 2016

For Epilepsy "I was diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy when I was 16. For nearly two years now, I have been on Valparin. Although I haven't had a seizure for that duration at all, I must say there were some unpleasant side effects. Firstly, it made me lose my focus very easily. I was getting distracted at the slightest provocation. It also made me unable to cry, you know, to let it all out just wasn't possible. And then there were also some bouts of depression that made me wonder if I am on the right drug. My final opinion is that you should take this med for a longer duration only if you can cope with the side effects. Talk to your doctor if you feel uncomfortable with this drug."

• Ben...
• January 20, 2021

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I started to take Epival 1 month ago for schizoaffective disorder and epilepsy. So far, so good, although I am quite hyper on this. But I do tend to take the reverse on some medications. It has helped drastically for insomnia, depression, severe anger issues, and my seizures. Hope everything stays good. Time will tell."

• Jay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 16, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "So previously I was on sodium valproate a while ago for bipolar disorder, and I think I was on a low dose alongside lithium, and back then I didn't notice any side effects. However, now I am on a 500 mg dose, and it is causing some problems. I've noticed that I am starting to urinate all the time, and I also believe it has gotten to the point of also causing unpleasant pains in my testicles. My gut feeling is this drug is not really suitable for bipolar, as it also slows the mind and creates bad brain fog, which I've experienced. Lithium really is the go-to for bipolar or lamotrigine."

• Kim...
• January 14, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "This was the first drug I was prescribed when I was diagnosed. I took it for seven months, and in the beginning, it seemed to get worse. I ended up having to take three a day, but even that didn't feel like it was working. Towards the end, it made my manic episodes worse and made me feel like I was spinning out of control. I had to switch drugs."

• Eim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 25, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This drug, valproic acid, has been very good for my schizoaffective disorder, mixed bipolar type. I take a 250 mg dose in the morning and a 500 mg dose in the evening with like 0 side effects. Miracle drug!"

• Lyn...
• July 1, 2010

For Seizures "Depakote sprinkles is the formula my son was taking. It was an almost too good to be true solution for him for over 20 years. For those 20 years, he experienced the following manageable side effects: weight gain, periodic hand tremors, constipation. It also gave him a much-deserved good 'feeling.' After that, his seizures broke through and other side effects appeared, such as hair loss, skin issues, and more severe constipation. We'll miss Depakote."

• all...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 13, 2016

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I hated this medication. It gave me no mood, no feelings, not able to cry or a supposed flat mood my psychiatrist said, plus it made me gain tons of weight in addition to the clozapine I used to be on that gave me seizures and made me break my ankles, and it was completely useless because I never needed it even though they thought 'nothing has ever worked for you.' I was only on it because they forced me to take clozapine, and it was giving me seizures, and the clozapine wasn't even good because I didn't make any friends and I didn't really like anybody. Ever since I've been on Lamictal 300 mg and Invega 12 mg, I've felt more normal, and I'm able to cry and feel true feelings like I used to."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 29, 2020

"I have been on valproic acid for approximately 8 months, which they gave me for borderline personality disorder. Unfortunately, this medication has neither helped with my mental health, and the side effects are dreadful. I have been experiencing nightmares, tremors, weight gain, paranoia, depression, difficulty breathing, and I also had a kidney infection. As a result, I am weaning off of this medication and working with my medical team to utilize a non-pharmaceutical approach to treat my mental health."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 6, 2022

"I was put on this for borderline personality disorder. Started with 500 mg and made me really tired, I had to lie down in bed at 4 in the afternoon. Then 200 mg, but always tired. Made me feel like I was in a bubble, could feel things."

• Dep...
• March 24, 2023

For Epilepsy "Definitely helped me with my epilepsy. Didn’t feel many side effects, but I have taken it for many years. I think I feel some changes in my memory and in motivation. Taking the Depakote ER really helped me to take it at the right time."

• all...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 21, 2016

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I came off this because of the flat mood, where I had no real feelings, but I wish I hadn't, because I would've saved time. I got a manic episode 8 months later with Lamictal, but I felt like I always did better and felt better on Lamictal. But I guess I was only on 300 mg, so it made my mania worse when I wouldn't sleep enough because I was doing my work. All semester long, I felt like I was getting manic and psychotic, but I guess I didn't realize it takes longer to recover from a manic episode. I'm thinking of going back on Epival and Invega or Epival and Latuda, because there's almost no options left, and I hated Clozapine because it gave me seizures and broke my ankles. My main problem is I can't take my vitamins with Epival."

• jak...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 18, 2023

Valproic acid "I gained weight, 15kg in 1 year. Good stabilizer of the mood. I still take 37mg of Effexor, which I started in 2017 and went up to 150mg. It didn't resolve my mood swings, but with Depakine it's better."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 7, 2023

Valproic acid "I have been using this medicine for 9 months and it has definitely improved my mood. I have unfortunately slipped into some small episodes of hypomania and depression recently (due to external stressful life situations), and the medicine helped them not spiral out of control. The negative for me has been some nausea which comes and goes. The higher the dose, the more the nausea. But it definitely settles down eventually - I have figured out it is from having an empty stomach, so I have taken to eating smaller meals more often throughout the day."

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Excellent! I've been completely stable since the medication fully kicked in and am now trying to put my life back together after 13 years of being manic and depressed (misdiagnosis). The only downside for me was severe insomnia when I first started taking the medication, my doctor prescribed a very ugly sleeping med to 'take when needed' (Nozinan). I almost stopped taking it, VERY happy that I kept taking it!"

• Rib...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I received a Depacon IV for a migraine cycle that wouldn't break. Not only was the infusion really unpleasant with hypothermia and tremors, I was without the migraine for roughly six hours before it was back in full force."

• Pam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 23, 2022

Valproic acid for Epilepsy "2 x 500 mg daily prescribed following brain surgery to prevent seizures. Caused incontinence and extreme symptoms of vascular dementia. Fortunately, I survived to warn others."

• Cra...
• January 30, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Was prescribed this while rapid cycling and in a mixed manic state. Works great, I had no side effects. Been stable on it for 2 months now, taking 1000mg at night."

• Jac...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 1, 2024

Valproic acid for Epilepsy "Has kept me seizure-free for 30 years, 500 mg twice daily. Slight concerns about the long-term effects on my liver."

• Rub...
• February 23, 2012

Valproic acid for Mania "This medicine is expensive, but it works. My son started taking this 4 weeks ago. He has experienced no side effects, and it is working like magic on his mania."

• Mey...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 10, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "Hemiplegic migraines cause a severe aura with ataxia that leave one side of my body paralyzed. Valproic acid and magnesium sulfate are the one thing that will counteract it every time!"

• cot...
• October 9, 2011

Valproic acid for Schizoaffective Disorder "After trying about 10 different medicines, this one has been the best."

• And...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 11, 2023

Valproic acid "Caused gynecomastia (when men grow breasts). What will be more expensive: the meds or the lawyer to correct the side effects?"