Depakote and Tremors: What Users Say

• Phi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 13, 2019

For Epilepsy "I have been taking 1 Depakote 500mg ER brand tablet daily for 28 years (I am 40). Used to treat Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy. This medication has been a tremendous blessing for me as it has controlled my seizures for the last 26 years. I’ve had no side effects but I will mention that I was very active as a child playing sports and continued to spend many hours a week lifting and exercising all through HS and college. I continue to exercise at least 3 days a week. I mention my exercise habits for a reason. I have noticed that during the times when we had our children and I wasn’t getting good sleep and not able to exercise as much, I began to notice some possible side effects related to the medication (slight tremors, lethargy, difficulty remembering names). When I started back exercising, all the side effects went away. I am a practicing pharmacist and married with 2 healthy children. I realize that my story may be somewhat unique, but I decided to share to give another long-term patient experience."

• esp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been through so many medications. It's ridiculous... Most of them didn't work and caused severe side effects. The last one I was on before Depakote was lamotrigine (which really is better for bipolar II, from what I understand). I tend to run very manic (and don't have a thyroid anymore - cancer), so my doc and I decided this would probably be my best option. None of the new drugs worked on me. Depakote has been amazing. I can think a lot more clearly and I'm still me - just a lot more toned down. I've had no negative side effects except a slight tremor, but I'm also on Xanax for severe anxiety, so it's only noticeable when it's time for that. No weight gain, either. In fact, my appetite decreased. I haven't gained or lost, really."

• MAN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have to say some of the side effects to DEPAKOTE ARE TOUGH! But the SIDE EFFECTS TO MY CONDITION COULD BE WAY WORSE. So I've been sticking to it and working through the side effects. It's DEFINITELY a miracle pill. I am only at 3 weeks but I've never felt calm, NO racing thoughts, and I feel HAPPIER. I only have LITTLE anxiety at this time. Before, most weeks I'd end up in the ER 3 times DUE TO A PANIC ATTACK. SIDE EFFECTS: headache, staring, head feels funny like an electric shock, nauseous. My lips and tongue are twitching. I have an instant cold and clammy feeling. BUT I LOVE THE CALMNESS and all these side effects have gone away and I feel like I am living like I've never lived! This medicine is AMAZING."

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication has kept me stable for 4 years. I am now 23 and was on 1000 mg at night. I recently went down as my blood tests came back too high. So I went back down to 700 mg and had another manic episode. I am now in the process of finding an antipsychotic to go with it. I have managed to stay at 110 lbs for 4 years with a healthy diet and exercise. The only side effects I had were major hair loss, slight tremors, and nausea. All of which have passed within a year."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "I am not very fond of Depakote. When I took it, it didn't improve my mood swings that much. In the beginning, it made me nauseous and 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 and I had very bad tremors and 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."

• Sti...
• March 19, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "This review is on behalf of my 16-year-old son. Manic ups and downs for years, between over-the-top excitement/happiness (rare and short-lived) or anger/violence or full depression/sadness. Just trying to help him level out. Has been moved on and off many different medications to try to find a fit. Most recently, the doctor added Depakote to his 900 mg lithium & 15 mg Abilify. First four days started with Depakote 500 mg; then added another pill to 1000 mg. Started to have digestive issues and tremors but pulled through. Increased to 1500 mg 4 days later, which led to more tremors and violent vomiting. The doctor suggested splitting the doses am/pm. Within 2 hours of taking the am dose the next day - same violent vomiting. Confirmed no stomach bug. His body was unable to handle the level of Depakote. Now, no longer taking. I've read many positive reviews on this medication, but sadly ours is not one of them due to his adverse reactions."

• Ash...
• January 26, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been diagnosed as bipolar for 20 years now and just a month ago listed as bipolar 1 severe with mixed moods. This is the only medication that REALLY works to help control my manic moods. ONLY side effect for me is a little bit of shaky hands after taking for a few hours."

• TLN...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 10, 2020

For Epilepsy "This drug, Depakote, gave me side effects: I gained 50 lbs, hair fell out, and tremors. Was put on it for migraines initially, but after 2 years, migraines turned into seizures. I question if the drug didn't cause my seizures."

• jut...
• May 5, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "When it worked, it was great. Couldn't keep my levels the same, though. When levels went too high, I got tired and shaky and could not sleep. When it went too low, I rapid cycled between mania and depression. May work for you, but not for me."

• So-...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 14, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I haven't really had a major manic episode since I started Depakote. However, it did not help me with normal agitation, violent thoughts, or anger. But trade-offs were weight gain, significant hair loss, and tremor. I was on 1250 mg/d and decreased to 750 mg/d. Cutting down didn't make me feel any difference. I wish this works out for most of you since this is one of the main therapies for maintenance."

• sla...
• January 9, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I have taken this medicine for seven years... six of those in conjunction with Zyprexa. I ballooned from 120 lbs to 210 lbs in that space of time. I was not warned that this medicine has the potential to cause massive weight gain, and she insisted to me that the gain was nothing to do with the drug. Came off the drugs independently for 13 months, 95 lbs fell off me easily, but had another episode after that time. Am now on 500 mgs Depakote and 10 mgs Abilify. Don't notice any beneficial effects from this medicine: hair loss, nails breaking below the quick, hand and body tremors, forgetfulness, being abstract and far away, irregular sleep patterns. Want to ask the doctor to try me on Lamictal."

• sla...
• January 9, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I have taken this medicine for seven years... six of those in conjunction with Zyprexa. I ballooned from 120 lbs to 210 lbs in that space of time. I was not warned that this medicine has the potential to cause massive weight gain, and she insisted to me that the gain was nothing to do with the drug. Came off the drugs independently for 13 months, 95 lbs fell off me easily, but had another episode after that time. Am now on 500 mgs Depakote and 10 mgs Abilify. Don't notice any beneficial effects from this medicine: hair loss, nails breaking below the quick, hand and body tremors, forgetfulness, being abstract and far away, irregular sleep patterns. Want to ask the doctor to try me on Lamictal."

• Ann...
• November 23, 2016

For Epilepsy "It was bad. It made me gain weight. It made me have tremors, which will never completely go away now. I couldn't hold plates or hold cups without shaking. My head started shaking. My new neurologist took me off of them. I was on them for over 20 yrs. I would strongly think about other meds before taking this one, considering the side effects can't go away immediately or not at all."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2012

For Epilepsy "On the morning of June 23rd, I awoke with a terrible seizure (my first). Throughout the day, I got progressively worse, went into the doctor's office, and the following morning, had slipped into a deep coma. In this coma, I apparently continued these seizures. Depakote was used through my nasogastric (NG) tube, and it seemed to help a lot. My only issue now is some trembling, which is more noticeable when I'm weaker or more tired. Overall, the use of this medicine has been very beneficial."

• Edd...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 31, 2022

For Epilepsy "I'm epileptic. I have been having seizures since my early teens. I’m 52 now. I was born with a tumor in my brain. The tumor has been removed, but the damage of the scar tissue is causing me to have seizures. I have been taking Depakote 2000mg a day, and I take with it Keppra 1000mg a day for 2 years, and the side effects suck. I can’t sleep, I stutter, I’m always anxious, and I have tremors. I have my ups and downs, mood swings. I lost my hair, I’m easily angered or frustrated and nervous. I also have high blood pressure now and have to take high blood pressure meds. I smoke THC and CBD to help. I’m usually nauseous, and I have digestive problems, if you know what I mean. I still have seizures, mainly blackouts. I haven’t had a grand mal seizure for a bit. But I would like to know if anyone came down with high blood pressure when started taking the meds."

• Exc...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 25, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve used Depakote for 10 years after having two severe manic episodes. Since being on this medicine, I have not had another manic episode, and I’ve been in very stressful situations. I barely had side effects - some tremors a few years ago and a slight stomach ache as my body was adjusting to it. I definitely recommend this medication to anyone wanting to stabilize."

• Jil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Been on Depakote and Prozac for three days. I take 20 mg Prozac in the morning and 750 mg Depakote before bed. First day great.. I felt better! My mood was noticeably happy, and I could actually think clearer without being agitated. Second day had trouble sleeping, anxiety, tremors, and a little hallucinations. Third day terrible nausea, panic attack, in the bathroom every 20 mins seems like, bedtime abdominal pain, and diarrhea. I'm slowly coming off of this med now."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 27, 2022

For Epilepsy "I have been taking 1000 mg daily (500 mg every 12 hours) for 12 years since I was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. I had both petit mal and grand mal seizures. This was the first medicine the doctor prescribed to me, and it is working. The only time I had a seizure was when I tried reducing my dosage to half without talking to my doctor. Once I got back to my regular dosage, I got no more seizures. I do consume chocolate and caffeinated tea liberally, coffee (no more than a cup a day), and occasionally alcohol (but never in large doses), and this has not caused any seizures in my case while taking this medicine. Although I do have a milder form of epilepsy and most certainly I do not recommend or believe that doing this is safe for every epilepsy patient, this could be very dangerous or fatal for some, I just know my limits well. I had mild side effects from this medicine, such as the occasional tremors when tired, but nothing more. I am satisfied with it."

• Kay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 14, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been taking Depakote 1000 mg in the morning and 1000 mg in the evening. I’ve been having memory issues, it’s so bad I forget what I was doing or lose my train of thought completely. The worst side effect is the hand tremors. I cannot even hold a coffee mug without spilling it. The hand tremors also affect my eating, I can’t keep the food on the utensil, it falls off, and I barely get anything. The last side effect I’ve been having is that my appetite is almost completely gone, I can go all day without eating and not feel hungry. My appetite is so diminished I have trouble finishing any of the food I was trying to eat, it’s like two bites and I’m full."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 22, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Depakote for mixed bipolar. I was on it for about 6 months. Never had seizures before taking Depakote. Then I started to black out & start seizing out of nowhere. I also noticed I was losing weight without trying. At the time, I was about 30 pounds overweight. I lost 55 pounds. I hadn't been that skinny since high school. I was also losing my hair, eyelashes & eyebrows. My eyebrow & upper lip would repeatedly twitch out of nowhere. It was very embarrassing when it happened around others. I felt drained all the time & my head was in a daze. When I told my doctor about the seizures, they were surprised because Depakote is supposed to help stop seizures. But at the time, it was the only medicine I was taking and I never had issues with seizures before I started taking Depakote. After 6 months of continued side effects, I talked to my doctor and they gradually took me off the medication. Unfortunately, I gained all of the weight back rather quickly. Eyebrows & lashes damaged."

• Bad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2021

For Mania "I started on 2000 mg a day, 1000 mg in the morning, 1000 mg at night. Got taken off 7 other meds that were working for it. Have been having bad manic episodes, depression, and anxiety. Have tremors, can't eat or sleep. Almost as bad as Haldol. Not a wonderful drug at all. Been on it over a month and now have to wean myself off it. I just want this out of my life."

• Pos...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 19, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Was on this drug for about four years with Wellbutrin. The combination worked well for the first three years; however, developed severe tremors and other side effects."

• Ren...
• October 1, 2013

For Migraine Prevention "I started back on Depakote 2 weeks ago. My headaches are better, but my hands are shaky, and my stomach aches. Better than a migraine, so I will continue."

• Joe...
• November 15, 2020

For Epilepsy "Lost a couple years of my life to this drug Depakote. If you start acting irrationally, or your cognitive ability deteriorates, or you start shaking, stop taking this drug."

• Joe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 24, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Horrible drug, lost 10 years of my life. Memory loss. Finally quit after starting getting bad tremors and figured out they were being caused by the Depakote."