User Reviews for Depakote ER oral

Completely controlled effects of depressive episode of bipolar disorder.

I was given this drug as I was hospital as I could not stop crying. The doctor did not really listen to me and prescribed me this drug. I was sick every morning and it actually came out in my bowel movements, however it still elevated my liver and I only was on it for six days. I will say that this is not a good drug to be on and it should be only give to those who really need it. I really feel better without it. Just make sure you get your liver checked before taking this medication and make sure you follow up with the tests. Read More Read Less

Depakote ER has worked for the headaches but has caused me to gain 10 pounds.

Made me very hungry to start.

Although this medication was very effective for reducing the headaches I was having on a daily basis (caused by flourescent lights), the side effects were not tolerable. As a 42 year old female I was losing my hair by the handfuls, lost 13 lbs., and since the medication is extremely hard on your liver I felt terrible and sluggish all the time. I am 5'-7" and was 125lbs at the time so losing 13 lbs was not ideal for me. Because of these side effects I immediately sought holistic approaches to getting my hair back, turning around my liver and adrenal function, and gaining a few pounds. I now still have the headaches but after talking with my doctor am again thinking of trying this medication in a lower dosage. Another option is a holistic approach to repairing the neurotransmitters. I'm still investigating this "cure".Read More Read Less

I had a history of manic depressive disorder. The combination of medications that I am on is helping a lot. They include Depakote, Lamictal, and Paxil. I am noticing that my hair is thining, but I am 38 and maybe it is just age. I do notice tremors of the fingers and hands. Especially using fine motor skills. I am glad that I am on medication. Life without them was hell.

ive been taking this drug for around 7 months and it has controlled my anger episodes well. and little if any side effects. i cant say itl work well for everybody. people have to find what works for them and dont give up.

This product keeps me on my feet while at work. It doesn't get rid of the migraine, but gives me the extra time I need to get home.

After a manic episode last summer, my psychiatrist prescribed me Depakote, in conjunction with the anti-anxiety drugs Paxil and Welbutrin. I am a 21-year-old college student that was diagnosed with bipolar disorder this year. The combination has worked well for me. I have been stable enough throughout the fall semester and into winter break to make vast improvements to my quality of life through one-on-one therapy. I have been on one form of anti-anxiety/depression drug or another for the past four years, and this has been the most effective. My thoughts still race at times and I can have feelings of extreme happiness that affect my sleep, but they are manageable. As are the lows. I would reccommend the drug.Read More Read Less

i began taking this medication a few months ago after a manic episode with many consequences and things calmed down A LOT after. it has really kept me much more rational and in control of my thoughts etc. i haven't gained a pound and usually sleep better. i only take 500 mg so that could be why i dont have the weight gain. i also take lamictal, im not sure how that affects things.

Depakote ER Oral has been very effecive in keeping my manic episodes under control. I remain calm better then 90% of the time and can discuss difficult issues without getting upset or going "postal"

I have been taking Depakote ER (1500 mg) for several months now. I have noticed that my hair is falling out and my hands shake. I have told this to my doctor and he said it's from drinking coffee. I cut back on the coffee but the symptoms are getting worse. He did some blood work, checking my liver and kidneys, the test came back that I didn't have a build up of the Depakote ER. However, I can't handle have to use to hands just drink something or eat something. I don't know how to get him to listen to me. I don't have manic episodes, tho he says that my occasional panic attacks are episodes of bi-polar. I was diagnosed because my mother had severe bi-polar. My doctor says I have bi-polar traits. Any comments/help would be greatly appreciated.Read More Read Less

I take 1750 mg per day, but the nice thing about Depakote ER, vs regular enteric coated Depakote, is that I only have to remember to take this version once a day.

I am completely satisfied with depakote.

I can sleep at night now, I only wake up 1 time instead of 3-4 times anight. I don't have the racing thoughts when I lay down to go to sleep, but sometimes I forget what I'm saying, seems like my thinking has slowed down, which is actually a good thing. Don't seem to lash out quite as much, but only 1st month on this med.

Hope this helps someone..... In my case, I have inner ear disequilibrium which the neurologist thinks is the symptom of a form of migraine. Can't say all signs of disequilibrium disappeared forever, it seems to have decreased the frequency and severity tremendously. also, the only other medicine I take is Vytorin for cholestrol, so I am fairly positive on what I say above, what I mean there are no complications due to other medicines. haven't taken it long enough to talk about side effects, but I'm pretty bald anyway, so that part doesn't bother me, and i haven't notice weight gain yet, and don't know about the liver as I'll be testing that part in a couple of weeks, but haven't done so yet. Haven' taken it long enoughRead More Read Less

Yes this medicine worked for me, but it also made me gain lots of weight, lost my hair and worst of all gave me LIVER DISEASE. I would not recommend ANYONE to take this medicine, there has to be something better out there. I am sicker now than I have ever been because of my liver. It's not worth it.

Does depakote cause weight gain? I still get and stay sad a lot.

I have been on it for a month, and I feel i have control

I take a high-dosage of Depakote ER to prevent migraine headaches. With consistent use of this drug, my incapacitating migraines have dropped from 2-3 a week to perhaps one or two per month. For me, it's been a godsend, with absolutely NO bad side effects. It even helps my insomnia, as I take it at bedtime and it has a calming effect. I can't praise this medication enough!