Divalproex sodium and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• kel...
• December 10, 2018

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I was falsely diagnosed bipolar, which I think was the first issue. However, Depakote on a low dose (750 mg) did alleviate some racing thoughts and was effective. Once a doctor inappropriately put me on a high dose for someone who is not bipolar (over 1000 mg), I was a zombie! It made my depression significantly worse, I gained 50 lbs, slept all day and had no feelings. I am a talkative person by nature, and on this drug I barely uttered a word. I'm sure it may work for those with true mania, but I'd say if on too high of a dose, or even a low dose, weight gain is inevitable and sugar/carb cravings. I also just feel it dulls your ability to focus and suppresses happiness. Of course, that could've just been my depression. Just wanted to warn people either way."

• Dep...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 22, 2019

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "No way! Been on it twice in my life. I was extremely bloated beyond recognition and in a deep mental haze. I could barely function. My doctor kept saying, “You need to take care of yourself before you can care for your family.” And she was right. I got off it, weight loss has been slow, but I got my face back. I looked like a hamster on it, and I went up 5 pant sizes on this medication. I got my energy back. On this stuff, I slept all day. Off this medication, I am enrolled in school and on the path to a new career, and I am able to be awake to live my life off this stuff and care for my family."

• Nec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2021

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I love this medication. It has been a lifesaver. I have anxiety that cripples me emotionally and physically, but when I started this, I literally felt a weight lift off my shoulders. At first (didn’t last long), it made me a little drowsy, but I didn’t mind, I'd rather be drowsy than panicky and fidgety with racing thoughts. I will say this medication works better for me in smaller doses. If I take 500 mg all at once, it makes me emotional. So I take 250 at night (sleep) and 250 in the morning if I need it."

• Ann...
• May 15, 2013

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Depakote for almost a year now. I also take Paxil and Wellbutrin. I gained around 10 lbs right from the start. My weight has seemed to have stayed steady the last few months. It's extremely hard to lose it. I have been through a lot of different medications to try and treat bipolar disorder. Even with the medicines I'm on, I'm still depressed and feel like I don't matter. I'm very sleepy and can lay down and take a nap at any time. I started taking B Complex because I stay so sleepy. My new concern is memory. I can't think of words and dates or names like movie stars very fast and it concerns me."

• Car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 4, 2018

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I am very pleased so far with my experience taking Depakote. Before Depakote, I was taking Seroquel for quite some time (a couple of years), and although I was happy on that medicine, I was way too tired. Luckily, my solution was Depakote. All I can say is I have tried medicine for 4 years now, and it has been a long journey! I will always remember my first time taking Depakote. Normally, I get very fearful and panic that the med will make me sick. Not Depakote. Instead, I felt immediately better, happy even, and giggled. Once that wore off, I felt normal and slept an hour or two after taking it. I enjoy how I still get tired on this medication like Seroquel, but it does not overwhelm my senses with sedation and fog my memory as much. If anything, I have never been more myself! The only thing is now sometimes I laugh too much."

• Iva...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 8, 2020

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I've taken the Depakote medication since 2014, and this is the only drug that eases my symptoms without causing extreme sleepiness. Classified as a mild case, most of the time I experience hypomania. Upon finding closure in therapy to change my mindset and behavior, I've been channeling the disposition for self-development and productivity, gradually gaining confidence and control, becoming less dependent on the medication, only taking a tablet each time I'm unable to manage the irritability and distress."

• jdk...
• March 1, 2013

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I am on the 500 x 2 ER, and people tell me I'm a lot calmer and they see the change. I guess I was on the depressed side of the spectrum. It may also be that I am on Celexa as well. At first, I was severely drowsy, but after about seven months, it kicks in. As far as weight gain goes, no changes there. Hair loss? I was already losing it. I have been on lithium, and that didn't work. Tried Tegretol as well, come to find out I am allergic. So, if I can feel normal and blood tests on liver and kidneys come back fine, hey, I will give Depakote 2 big thumbs up for a normal life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 21, 2021

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Migraine Prevention "I was using this drug for my insane migraine attacks. Before taking this medicine, I had migraine headaches with stomach ache, nausea, being sleepy, feeling extremely fatigued that I wasn't even able to get up out of bed, trouble speaking and understanding others, trouble reading and writing. Started Depakote 250 once daily. Then gradually increased to 1000 daily. Worked great! I didn't have all those symptoms after being on this drug. Instead of having migraines all day, all night, 7 days a week, I had like once a day for like 2 hours with mild symptoms. I was amazed by the result, and it helped me so much. But I was still having migraines every day. So my doctor prescribed Propranolol alongside Depakote. After that, I had migraines like once a week. But over time, fewer and fewer migraines happened. After 2 years of being on this medicine, I quit and didn't have migraines even after quitting the drug. So I'm really amazed by the result. I didn't gain any weight. No serious side effects."

• J2 ...
• December 1, 2017

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I'm going to say this. This medication has been a lifesaver for me. I've been on it for six months now. I take it for migraines, bipolar, and seizures. No noticeable side effects except for a lot of ear popping. I am a lot calmer than what I used to be. My anxiety is still there, but it isn't as bad as it was. I can actually function on this medication. My family can be around me now. I used to rapid cycle and have mixed episodes at least ten times a week. Now they're gone. It's nice to be normal for a change. No grandiose delusions. No audible delusions. I am a little bit sleepier than normal. But with a change of diet, I'm okay. No hair falling out. Just the normal hair loss when it comes to the change of weather."

• Rai...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2019

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I take 1000 mg at night and 500 mg in the morning. And I'm always tired. I slept 15 hours last night, and I'm still tired after drinking 3 cups of coffee. I have bipolar disorder 2, and I don't have manic episodes anymore. Still experience delusions, but certainly less. I seem to have gained about 15-20 pounds. I also take 300 mg of Seroquel, which can cause weight gain and drowsiness. If it weren't for weight gain and drowsiness, things would be good."

• cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2013

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy "I take this medicine for unexplained seizures. The doctor said they were caused by severe panic attacks. I don't know. It has helped a lot. But the side effects are terrible. Stomach burning, nausea, itching, drowsiness, and much more. I take a 1000 mg dose."

• bob...
• September 10, 2010

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed 500 mg Depakote twice per day. It does make me feel sleepy, and the MD stated I needed to take both in the evening. I did so and awoke feeling like I was jacked up and bouncing off the walls. I thought, what the hell is going on? So I took another dose, and an hour later had a nap, and I was fine. The downside of the medication does make me feel like a zombie. My concentration is nil and I'm confused a lot. Currently, I do not have any insurance, and when I go to the ER, they say just wait until you see your MD next month. I am very frustrated but learned the hard way to not discontinue your medicines. I did so and got in a lot of trouble."

• Dan...
• September 22, 2009

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy "I have been on Depakote for about two years now, and it has certainly been effective in stopping both grand mal and petit mal seizures. I was diagnosed with localization-related epilepsy when I was 21, but this drug is great in that it treats many types of epilepsy. Still, I did experience negative side effects, such as hair loss, a little weight gain, and drowsiness, although all of these were slight enough that they didn't really affect my life. Because Depakote isn't ideal for young women like myself, my doctor suggested I try another drug. After a brief stint on Keppra (which made me feel like I was walking in a haze - awful!), however, I switched back to Depakote, only this time adjusting was way harder - I was incredibly emotional."

• Red...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 6, 2021

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "Other mood stabilizers I have been put on include Latuda, Lamictal, and Seroquel. Depakote beats them all in both efficacy and tolerability. Was put on this in the hospital after a suicide attempt along with 40 mg Prozac. Greatest med combo ever for my bipolar. Definitely gained some weight the first couple of months, but as I was nearly underweight before, the extra weight filled me out nicely, so I can't complain. Currently taking 1500 mg at night. Definitely helps me sleep better without making me a zombie when I wake up (Seroquel). The only thing that can be a challenge is the general grogginess I feel on this drug. Definitely not like the fog left by Seroquel, but I do yawn a lot and sometimes I need a dose adjustment. But I believe it's a worthy trade for being comfortable in my own skin for once."

• kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2020

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I was put on Depakote ER 250 mg x 3 in the psychiatric hospital 3 weeks ago. So far, it's helped me more than any other medication I've been on. My thoughts no longer race, my triggers are dulled, my mood is even. It can be kind of a pain to remember to take it at the same time 3 times a day, but it works best with consistent use. I also take Prozac 40 mg daily and have had no issues with depression since discharging. Side effects include constipation, feeling flat, and sleepiness throughout the day. I consider it a worthy trade-off for what I was going through, though."

• Gen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2020

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "Starting dose of 250 mg in the morning and 500 mg at night keeps me in therapeutic range, and very effectively controls my bipolar type II with mixed episode, but even with 20 mg Adderall extended release, I find myself incredibly drowsy and groggy in the morning. Unfortunately, this medication just doesn't agree with my brain chemistry, and I'm hoping to switch to Lamictal soon."

• Gen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 24, 2020

Depakote ER (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "Starting dose of 250 mg in the morning and 500 mg at night keeps me in therapeutic range, and very effectively controls my bipolar type II with mixed episode, but even with 20 mg Adderall extended release, I find myself incredibly drowsy and groggy in the morning. Unfortunately, this medication just doesn't agree with my brain chemistry, and I'm hoping to switch to Lamictal soon."

• Und...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "After two valiant attempts to get past the adverse effects, I'm finished with Depakote. The first attempt lasted a week; as it can exaggerate the effects of other meds, I became so drowsy I couldn't drive. For the second attempt, it wasn't combined with any other medication and lasted 3 weeks. I felt continually agitated and anxious, began to quickly gain weight, had terrible gas, and was going to the bathroom 4-5 times a day. Additionally, my hair began to fall out so quickly, even my husband noticed (and he's not very observant!). The most disturbing symptom was the frequent presence of pronounced, irregular heartbeats and at least one near-syncopal episode. All this in just 21 days-thanks, but no thanks!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 10, 2021

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Bipolar Disorder "I'm on 1,500 mg twice a day, so I'm just bothered by the side effects, which are: 1- Laziness 2- Drowsiness (frequently) 3- Lack of ambition 4- Lack of comprehension 5- Euphoria (sometimes) 6- Nausea after being caffeinated, I completely had to stop drinking coffee. 7- Double vision."

• Sec...
• February 19, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have struggled silently with impulses to self-destruct/self-injure for many years. Various things would trigger episodes, frustrating conversations. Some temptations were very strong, and sometimes I quickly self-injured. I let people think I was suicidal, and therapists were geared to interpret it that way, but it wasn't that; it was overwhelming impulses to hurt myself, which I couldn't explain and felt humiliated about. Then I got to a very good psychiatrist who put me on Divalproex extended-release pills, which I take at night. While I am groggy in the morning, I feel tired in the afternoon and sometimes require a nap. Recently, I've been triggered, but the impulse to hurt myself was much less. The drug was to slow things down."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "My doctor prescribed Topamax for migraine prevention, and that gave me too many awful side effects as well as doing nothing for me. He switched me to divalproex, taken twice a day. Much easier to take, with almost no side effects except being a little sleepier and finding it a little harder to focus. However, it's doing nothing for my migraines. And I had such hopes."

• mmm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 16, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "After hypomania (due to lithium withdrawal) was successfully terminated with this drug, a post-3 month effect of blunted feelings, hypersomnia, and just general CNS depression, similar to clonazepam; I think I would now like to stop it, along with Lutada, as this soup disrupts my ability to be alert enough to check my blood sugars, life tasks, and insulin routine; just too tired and sedated."

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 4, 2018

Depakote (divalproex sodium) for Epilepsy "Makes me so drowsy all the time. I'm on 1000 mg a day. Gained 40 pounds. Affects my work and grad school. Slows down my brain and gives me anxiety. Icing on the cake is I’m balding now at age 24."