Divalproex sodium User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Melanie
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 2, 2016

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I am not very fond of Depakote. When I took it it didn't improve my moodswings that much. In the beginning it made me nauseous & caused my hair to fall out. No, I didn't go bald, but it thinned out my hair enough that my hairstylist noticed. Eventually, my hair stopped falling out, but I gained a lot of weight & I had very bad tremors & bad coordination. If you do decide to take this medicine make sure your doctor tests your blood regularly. I think you are supposed to have your blood tested every 6 months."

• Kirdar
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 2, 2013

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "Depakote ER is the only medicine I can take for my bi-polar. I have side effects to every medicine I've been on for bi-polar. I can't take the generic. It really bothers my stomach. It doesn't do much for depression. Anything I take for depression makes me manic. I have been on almost medications on the market. I have to learn to live with depression and work my hardest to accept it. I've been living with bi-polar for 38 years. I wish that the brand name wasn't so expensive. It's very hard for me to afford but it must come before food if necessary."

• Patient
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 12, 2013

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I started up on 250mg and ended up at 1500mg. I noticed very subtle effects if any. Hard to remember, I went through a lot and was on Seroquel also at the time. Seemed to have a slight calming effect. However after time it raised my liver enzymes and lowered my platelet count (which is a potential side effect) So I went off of it. I don't have many hypomanic episodes and never a manic episode so I don't know why my dose got that high. Didn't notice anything significant. Gained 20 lbs, made me sick and tired. Wasn't for me."

• SF100
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 2, 2018

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I am a guy who underwent 30 yrs of treatment for anxiety/depression until I was finally correctly diagnosed with BP2 and ADHD. Depakote ER 2000mg at night is my mainstay med. My default mixed states are well-controlled by Depakote. Xanax works as a rescue med at far lower doses than I took before Depakote. Early hair loss (now resolved), no weight gain. I take 20mg Dexedrine daily for ADHD; Depakote doesn't let it trigger hypomania. Ketamine infusions & nose spray cover the depressive side."

• Nick
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 30, 2015

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy "Before I came to the US I was taking other medications for epilepsy but upon dealing with a US doctor he recommended 2000 mg of Depakote daily. I immediately went to the library and checked the side effects, which were considerable. I asked the doctor if I could take a smaller dose but he didn't think it wise. I decided to take matters into my own hands and reduce my dosage. I have been taking 250 mg now for 35 years with no seizures. Early on I found that when I took long flights to Asia and missed sleep and became dehydrated I would increase my dosage and then when I came back home I would slowly lower it again. I don't believe I am suffering from any side effects of this drug."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2009

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I have Bipolar Disorder. This is the only drug that's worked with out breaking me out in rashes, or making me feel so drugged I couldn't work or function. The only problem I have with it is it makes me a little hyper. I controls my temper well, without making me sleepy."

• Kbano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 15, 2019

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I’ve noticed no change in my mood swings or manic tendencies on this drug. I still go through both; in fact, I’m concerned it could be causing me some insomnia. I’ve taken it for about a year, and in the last month I’ve dealt with major depression and mood swings, which bring me swiftly to paranoid thoughts and delusions. All in all, it’s done literally nothing it’s prescribed to do. Everyone will have different experience on different drugs, so take this with grain of salt."

• Cowboy...
• June 22, 2014

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention "I have only been taking Depakote ER 500 mg for 10 days now, or maybe I should say nights. I take it at bed time, & was supposed to start taking it twice a day after a week but the upset stomach, the shakes, (or extra nervousness), no sign of relief of my migraines, & I haven't been able to sleep at night either.. I'm going to tell my Dr. that I just can't take it any more."

• Karyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2016

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "Didn't realize how great it was till it was gone. After 4 years of failed cocktails until I found Depekote with Zoloft. I was on it for 3-5 months @1250mg and had Excessive Weight gain, insatiable hunger,,,BUT Worth it! I was productive, positive, stabilzed, making plans and following thru. Then Liver enzymes high @ 6 mo. and abruptly taken off ... Horrible move by panicked Doctor. On my third medicine since and all bad results. Any opinions on Depokote retry while protecting my liver with Milk Thistle & Turmeric? My last blood work was best its ever been. I have no faith in my Dr and am seeking a new."

• Velve...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2017

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "Depakote was a nightmare. Besides having acute, non-stop stomach pain with chronic diahrrea, my hair started falling out in clumps. Good thing I have thick hair or I could have been bald at the end of this drug. I don't recommend this to anyone. It was like taking poison."

• Pizza...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2022

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "HORRIBLE!!! I tried taking this for 4 months and I had to cut it cold turkey. The side effects- Unmanageable, it made me manic, it made me HUNGRY all the time, for carbs carbs and more carbs, irritable at things I never would imagine being angry at, bloated, screaming, crying daily, it made everything so overwhelming. I couldn't take it anymore. Now I never recommend cutting cold turkey I just never have physical side effects from doing that, my whole life. I just could not do it anymore it made me feel like I was going crazier than crazy."

• Susyg
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 27, 2016

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "Honestly this medicine has saved my life! I went from having multiple long lasting episodes of mania to none. Ya i still get the thoughts but im relaxed and able to make conscious choices now that im on it. The only negative side affect is the hair loss but its temporary, but so worth it. Nothing is better than feeling like you are in control of yourself, and this medicine does this for you dont be scared to ask your doctor about it!"

• Anonymous
• April 11, 2012

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention "I had used this medication for more than 15 years, before it stopped preventing my chronic migraine headaches. I was taking it up to 2000 mg per: night daily and didn't have any side effects of it since the very beginning of taking it (in lower dose, of course) and even when took max dose as described. Had a very easy adjusting to it, also and no unpleasanties whatsoever."

• 40...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2013

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I took Depakote for bipolar and the very first night I had very vivid dreams which turned into nightmares and audio visual hallucinations. It's been 3 days and my dreams are not back to normal yet. I've read the reviews and it seems to work for most people. I haven't gotten a good night's sleep. My doctor put me back on Trileptal 300 mgs twice a day."

• socce...
• April 3, 2015

Depakote (divalproex sodium) 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 tried all the time and broke out like I had never been before. Medicine works for migraines but has terrible side effects. Had to stop taking"

• Anonymous
• December 3, 2011

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "Been on this medicine for more than ten years. The 8/10 is for it is due to its overall minor side effects over time, and its very powerful effects when not taken CONSISTENTLY. BE ADVISED. This medication works best when taken at the exact time(s) everyday and I have experienced all other symptoms people have described as bothersome but this is not the typical take it to be a walking zombie pill. I also don't think people realize how much they are moving when manic and when on this medication, you calm down. So it's completely natural to want to sit around all day and watch T.V. I also have gained weight and have difficulty shedding the pounds, however I would rather be SANE and curvy. I weighed 130lbs starting, NOW am 178lbs."

• Tamar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2016

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I took my first dose of Depakote at night before bed. The next day I was so leveled out; I wasn't talking fast it was great. The rest of the day starting around 1:00 p.m. I slept all day. I woke up at 12:00 a.m. with my eyes extremely wide and dilated, my skin on my arms and legs was swirling (like the Starry Night painting), the walls were moving and things on the wall were levitating up and down. I was up until 3:00 a.m. and an on call nurse told me to sleep so it would wear off; I have never taken this medication again. (Taken for Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar type)"

• ZeeZee
• April 9, 2011

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) 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."

• kygent
• November 17, 2010

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention "I have had migraines most of my 67 years. 5 yrs ago I found a Doctor who prescribed Depakote 250 mg. My migraines decreased from one per month to maybe five in the past five years. Taken in combination with sumatriptan succinate tablets (only when I feel the onset of a migraine) I have a life mostly without pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2012

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I am 20 and on 750 mg of Depakote a day. Gained 10-15 pounds within the first month of taking this medication, but now my weight is remaining stable. I am eating healthier and running each day though. When I first started taking it, I was so restless/anxious, I had to pace around like mad. It took about 3 weeks to really end my mania in combination with 2 mg risperidone. I am experiencing easy bruising now. Sleeping 10 hours a night. Have an irregular period. In general I move more slowly. I am cloudy in the morning. I don't get upset with my family anymore."

• YDP
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2013

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention "I've always suffered from migraines. I take 500 ER twice a day and gained 16lbs in less than 3 weeks. Since I'm already overweight this caused severe back pain in which I can barely walk and my legs are numb. Works wonders for my migraine but the side effects aren't worth it!"

• Saved...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 26, 2022

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I've spent my life since puberty trying various SSRIs and one SNRI with poor outcomes. Finally, I received a BP2 diagnosis and since then have been on this medication for a little over a year. I've had neither crushing lows nor frenzied highs since starting this medicine. Even old triggers, like poor sleep or the onset of wintertime do not cause me much disturbance anymore. This is the only drug I take for my condition. It has significantly curbed my anger and anxiety as well. The only side effects are nausea and stomach cramps if I take it on an empty stomach. The pills smell like vanilla and have a coating that makes it easy to swallow (doesn't stick to your throat). For the first time in a decade I feel very close to "normal". I have hope for my future. For me, this medicine has been a blessing. Bipolar is a serious neurological condition, never be afraid to seek help and advocate for yourself. To all reading: you've got this and I believe in you!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 3, 2019

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention "My 14 year old son went on Depaokote about 3 months ago for abdominal migraines and head migraines. After trying a number of other migraine medicines Depakote was the only medication that stopped the continual vomiting, nausea and headache he had be experiencing for over 2 months. It did take 4 weeks for the medication to build up in his system to prevent the symptoms. He is now on 750 mg of Depakote and feeling great! The only side effect he is experiencing is weight gain, but we believe with proper diet and exercise he will be able to control that."

• elsrn
• November 24, 2011

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar type II almost 2 months ago at age 40. It was long over due. My psychiatrist started me on Depakote 250 mg twice a day and Wellbutrin SR 150 mg in the morning. Also take trazodone or Ambien to sleep. I can tell that my moods are much more stable on Depakote, no more hypomania and staying up a week at a time. It's a relief to get back to much more normal, but I do miss the hypomania in many ways (I work full time, have a family and go to graduate school for a double masters degree-- hypomania was great with those things at once). I am still on Depakote 250 mg twice a day. Depakote will change my life as long as my body tolerates it. I'm trying to deal with the ravenous appetite. Up 10 lbs already."

• RoxyM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2019

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "Depakote has overall been a very good experience for me. I started it about two months ago and I have not had a manic episode since. I was on Lamictal for 8 years, I went all the way up to 500Mg and it touched on it and even caused motor tics the reason why I was able to last that long on it was because Klonopin was masking the symptoms... once I discontinued the motor tics vanished. I did not lose hair on the Depakote or have any nasty side effect but I did gain weight. Now its stable and I changed my diet and started exercising. It increases appetite and slows down metabolism especially in women... but overall I would say great medication! I no longer need the Klonopin either which became habit forming"