User Reviews for Depakote oral

I take Emgality once a month and was taking Maxalt. A few months went by and I was still having migraines here or there and Maxalt wasn't long lived after an hour of taking right at the beginning of migraine I was back popping another within 2 hours even though I needed it within an hour so after speaking with neuro I given Depakote. So im fairly new with it but seems to be working. Emgality once a month, Depakote once a day, and if i have a migraine i an to take Maxalt. My only issue is Depakote cramps my stomach bad and now I have BMs about 4x a day and urine has a funny smell. I can't find any comments or literature about the smell but nothing else is going on health wise with my urinary tract, etc.Read More Read Less

It's been 5 years know and depokote has done nothing for me! I was on Lithium and I lost my Dr for reason not associated with me, I was off my meds for 6 months a long time I had a mass on my neck so I just didn't care I thought I would die anyway. That was surgically removed, know I am on depokote I was out in the hospital for almost 2 weeks didn't help me at all in the beginning but I gave it time 5 years is long enough. I need my lithium back.

One of the longest working medications for me. Slight hair loss. 750mg per day with 40mg paroxetine.

This medicine was given to me to help my rapid cycling bipolar episodes. When it was first given to me I was given a micro dose and felt no effect. Got off it but ended up in the hospital where it was prescribed at a much higher dose in addition to an anti psychotic. Despite high expectations for this being able to help with rapid cycling I have seen myself flip from that depression back to mania in a month. Will be discussing the with my doctor but think this is an important story to tell and keep in mind.Read More Read Less

I am shaking so bad, I cannot do anything. I lost 25 pounds, since we are on lockdown. I am having dizzy spells, that I never had before. Whenever I go out, the public all notices how badly I am shaking. I took phenobarbital, for 66 years, because I was such a nervous person. Then, my doctor switched me to depakote.

I have been on this medication for a number of years. It seems to really suppress my personality, especially in the winter. I wonder if it is time to try a different one,

I have been suffering from morning headaches every day for 2.5 months.This resulted in taking my maxalt/rizatriptan every day to stop the pain and prevent full blown migraine from kicking in. Then I started having side effects from the maxalt since I was taking it so often. I have used maxalt for over 20 years for occasional migraine prevention. Taking it every day concerned me. My neuro PA tried several treatments for me, and the last time I saw him prescribed depakote. I took one (250 mg) pill at bedtime since it can cause drowsiness. He advised I work up to one pill in the morning and one at night once my body adjusted to it. THE NEXT MORNING after my first pill, I woke up headache-free. I have only had to take maxalt twice in the last month; probably because I drank alcohol a few times which can sometimes lead to a headache. They were not morning headaches. I am thrilled with this drug! No more 3-4am headaches waking me up requiring me to medicate. I never upped my dose to the am pill one since it seems to be working with just one at night. I'm going to go back to review my progress with my PA. I am not crazy about the side effects I have read about, but so far I haven't noticed anything but some back pain. I'm curious how long I will be on this drug. For me, at this time, it has been very effective in giving me my head back pain-free. I'm a fan.Read More Read Less

I took this for several years. Not sure it helped at all. I have Tinnitus now

This medication almost killed me. I had involuntary body ticks that were horrible. I barley could walk and talk. I also had a speech impermanent. Couldn't communicate with anyone for almost 6mo. Dont take this

I found Depakote did not help me. After an increase in the dose, I started to experience horrible palpitations that stopped, when I my doctor had me stop the drug.

I have had migraines for over 37 years. I have tried every preventive and abortive medications throughout the years known to man. Most of them had really bad side effects while others had no effect at all in preventing my migraines. My Neurologist decided to try me on Depakote about 9 months ago. I started slow with 500mg per day. Now I am taking 625mg per day. It has helped a lot with less migraines a month. But the last few months my hair started falling out by the handfuls and my legs have had some pain in them. I have an appointment with my doctor next week so I will see what he has to say. I don't want to go bald but this medication does help. Read More Read Less

Take the warnings about diabetes seriously. It did not work,I was dosed massively. Gained 50 lbs

I've tried almost every drug out there over the last couple years and depakote was the only drug that has kept me stable.

On for 18 years, low to no side effects and effective - for me.

For me it seemed to cause drowsiness to where it was very difficult to wake up in the mornings. I have gained at least 60 lbs in the 7 years I've been taking it. Caused a tremor. And if you miss a dose or 2 the bipolar side effects are going to strike hard after a couple of weeks. Would not recommend for someone in my circumstances.

This makes you really not care at all. I mentioned to my Psych, MD that I would take a few extra any time I knew I was going to be under stress or in an irritating environment self medicating. He switched me to Latuda and I have been going down on this. I feel 10X more alive no more drooling no more numb emotions I actually feel like myself

Have been on Depakote oral dose for over 25yrs. Now take750mg.at bedtime. I'd like to know if anyone has had elevated ammonia levels from this med. Have to take lactulose 2xweek to evacuate ammonia in stool.....not pleasant. This rx. is working. Unable to reduce Depakote level without feeling "on edge". Also, hand tremor is quite noticeable. Any suggestions to bring down ammonia level would be appreciated.

this pill FOR ME caused suicidal thoughts 3 weeks after I started it --- PLUS worse depression -- anxiety - stree etc A HORRIBLE PILL for mild depression. There are so many pills that are much better and highly rated.

My Psychiatrist (Resident) started me on 500mg of Depakote. At first, I had bad nausea, bad "hang-over" feeling in the morning. Then very severe side effects started after about a week: dizziness, could not walk a straight line (people thought I was drunk), Felt like bugs were crawling on me, extreme tiredness most of the day, needed a cup of strong coffee about every 2 hours just to stay awake at work}, couldn't remember simple things, like how to spell simple words or how to write easy sentences. Almost lost my job because the side effects were effecting my work. I quit taking Depakote on my own, by tapering off of it for about 5 days. Do NOT stop taking this drug cold turkey! The withdrawal side effects are very bad. Worst drug I have ever taken in my life and I have taken many drugs in the years I have dealt with bipolar disorder. This drug should be banned in America: it is banned in many other countries.Read More Read Less

It'd be hard for me to be more satisfied with this medication. I have suffered from Migraine for 20 years until I started a 250mg twice daily dose of Depakote. Despite getting them twice monthly, I have not had a Migraine headache since. I have also had no unsatisfactory side-effects from this medication. The two "side-effects" I *have* experienced have been a dramatic reduction in the amount of anxiety I experience and a strange effect that has made consuming alcohol unenjoyable. My alcohol consumption prior to Depakote was very occasional but alcohol generally made me feel more relaxed or had a positive effect on my mood. While taking Depakote, if I drink enough to feel the effects of alcohol (about a half of a glass of wine), it is accompanied by minor depression. I no longer consume any alcohol as a result and since I wasn't much of a drinker to begin with, this has been totally acceptable. I used to get Migraine episodes twice monthy, peeking in September and April at sometimes weekly. Episodes would last for about 3-days of intense pain, with aura and nausea followed by one day of listlessness (though no emotional depression). I have not had one single episode since starting this medication and have been taking it for two years without incident. This medication -- costing under $5/month -- has *completely* changed my life, reducing my anxiety not just by the medications direct effects but the indirect effect of not having to worry if I'll have a sudden, unexpected, horrible pain in my skull. I couldn't be more grateful.Read More Read Less