Valproic acid User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Kimbl...
• 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 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."

• Ludvic
• 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)."

• Sensi...
• July 16, 2015

Depakene (valproic acid) for Seizures "I was on this for 4 1/2 years, right up to a very high dose. I got the side effect of constantly feeling hungry yet never feeling full, no matter how much I ate. That immediately caused me to gain 10 lbs. a month for 6 months: 60 pounds! It also gave me the side effects of major depression and a generally unpleasant mood overall. It was of the usual average effectiveness in controlling my seizures, which began due to neurological brain damage in a traffic accident. Note: This medication is highlyY dangerous to pregnant women. It will cause permanent damage to their fetus."

• Ben
• January 20, 2021

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

• excel...
• May 4, 2017

For Epilepsy "After 2 years on this pill I'm starting to feel severe joint and muscle ache, swelling of the arm and legs... the swelling was so severe that it I couldnt walk. The side effects of this drug really outway the benefits."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "So previously I was on sodium valproate awhile ago for Bipolar Disorder and I think I was on a low dose along side with lithium and back then I didn't notice any side effects. However now I am on a 500mg 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 the suitable for bipolar as it also slows the mind and also creates bad brain fog from which I've experienced. Lithium really is the go to for Bipolar or lamotrigine."

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

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

• allig...
• 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 plus of the clozapine I used to be on that gave me seizures and made me break my ankles and it was completely useless cause 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 cause 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."

• Lynnrx
• 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."

• allig...
• 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 cause I would've saved time cause 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 worst when I wouldn't sleep enough because I was doing my work. and 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 cause there's almost no options left and I hated clozapine cause it gave me seizures and broke my ankles. my main problem is I can't take my vitamins with Epival."

• Alessia
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 6, 2022

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

• Depak...
• March 24, 2023

For Epilepsy "Definitely helped me with my epilepsy. Didn’t feel many collaterals but I take 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."

• 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!"

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

Depakene (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."

• 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."

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

Depakene (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."

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

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

• Crash
• January 30, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Was percribed 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."

• RubyL
• February 23, 2012

Stavzor (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."

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

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

• cotto...
• October 9, 2011

Depakene (valproic acid) for Schizoaffective Disorder "After trying about 10 different medicines this one has been the best."

• gertie
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 24, 2013

Depakene (valproic acid) for Schizoaffective Disorder "Effective for mood symptoms when at therapeutic level."

• MeyerAD
• 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 & Magnesium Sulfate are the one thing that will counteract it every time!"

• Eima
• 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 250mg dose in the morning and 500mg dose in the evening with like 0 side effects. Miracle drug !"