I want to stop taking depakote ER - what is the best way to do this?

Clint6764,
Maso is right! Depakote ER is one of those meds that you can't really taper down or off of on your own, Doing so can cause you to experience extremely painful headaches and/or convulsions. Ask your prescriber to help you get down to a dosage you both can agree on. Hope this helps.

You must work with your doctor. You are not qualified to make this decision on your own. What you and your doctor need to do is work out a discontinuation schedule for this med.

The discontinuation schedule is the plan of how you will decrease the amount of a med you will take. Ask your doctor what it is based on. There are three things a discontinuation schedule should be based on:

the half-life of a drug

looking for the return of any symptoms

experience with taking someone off a med

You have to stop taking thi med safely. Sudden or rapid discontinuation can lead to many problems. This information is just to use to make sure that you and your doctor have worked out a good discontinuation schedule for this medication for your own safety.

Best of luck.