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Overall Rating
4.52
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Rating:
4.52
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Side Effects
3.12
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Pricing
5.31
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Average Price: $28.34
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Recommended By
37% of reviewers
(of 27 reviews)
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advertisement
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DepakoteŽ
Generic Name: Divalproex dye-VAL-pro-ex
Drug Class: Anticonvulsants, diavalproex | | Contents | Description | This medicines primary use is to prevent seizures. (anticonvulsant) It is also approved to treat bipolar disorder and for prevention of migraine headaches.
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| | General Information | | This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. Top of page
| | Proper use of this medicine | Usual dosing is once daily. The tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed or chewed. Depakote sprinkle capsules may be swallowed whole or capsule contents may be sprinkled onto any soft food. Carefully open capsule. Place ALL sprinkles into a small amount of food (about a teaspoonful) of soft food such as applesauce or pudding. Make sure all of the sprinkle/food mixture is swallowed immediately. Chewing should be avoided. Drink fluids right after for easier swallowing. Never store mixture for future use.
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| | Missed Dose | Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.
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| | Storage | Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
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| | Possible Side Effects | - Talk to your doctor if these side effects become severe:
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- nervousness
- hair loss (alopecia)
- If you experience other bothersome side effects, contact your health care provider.
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| | Warnings/Precautions | - Divalproex should be used cautiously by patients with liver disease and by the elderly.
- Also, this medication should NOT be abruptly discontinued, due to the possibility of life-threatening seizure activity.
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| | Overdose | Seek medical attention immediately. U.S. residents can call the national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
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| | Drug Interactions | - Divalproex effects may be increased by erythromycin, cimetidine, salicylates, and decreased by carbamazepine.
- This drug may increase the effects of diazepam, phenytoin, and warfarin.
- Before taking any new prescription or over-the-counter medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
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| | Pregnancy/Nursing | Divalproex can cause fetal damage during the first trimester and should not be used during pregnancy if other options are available. Small amounts of divalproex have been shown to be excreted in breast milk, so should be used with caution while breastfeeding.
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| | More Information | For more information about this medicine, talk to your healthcare provider.
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| Copyright 2006 PharmClips, Inc. All rights reserved. www.pharmclips.com | This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This is general information and should not in any event be construed as specific instructions for individual patients. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. The reader is advised to check with their health care provider before making any changes in their drug regimen.
Last reviewed:
On 8 Aug 2006
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
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Achieve
Visitor
Registered: June 2006
Posts: 9
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Review Date: Sat July 1, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: $20.00| Rating: 4
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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It works well as a mood stabilizer but not in the same class as Lamictal.
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Trembling of hands, fingers,dry mouth and confusion.
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A cheap substitute for other mood stabilizers. A combination of lamictal and lithium have been more effective for me without the nasty side effects.
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razeljenny
Veteran Member
Registered: May 2006
Posts: 353
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Review Date: Thu July 6, 2006
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 7
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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does a good job taking away disorentation and moods
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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made me put on a great deal of weight
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It will really help you when things are bad but now I wouldn't reccommend it because I gained a great deal of weight yet I was so very successful the year I was on Depakote. I did very well. Now I am using an alternative herbal called MOrnida Citrofolia which worked for me but it may not necessarily do the same outcome for you.
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niko851
Member
Registered: March 2006
Posts: 82
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Review Date: Tue July 25, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: $30.00| Rating: 4
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Has somewhat stabalized me (less episodes w/other drug combinations)
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Sleep issues; some stomach cramping; expensive
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Since I'm using Depakote in combination with other meds, I can't really say for sure how effective or ineffective Depakote alone is. I don't understand how a primarily anti-seizure medication can help stabalize a mood, but something is working with this medication. My only gripe about it, other than the minor 'relief' I get from it, is that it is a brand-name and therefore quite costly.
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Daffy
Visitor
Registered: August 2006
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Tue August 15, 2006
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 6
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Leveled out moods a bit
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Gained weight
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I liked it except for the weight gain
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candybear
Grand Magnate
Registered: April 2004
Posts: 4643
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Review Date: Fri September 8, 2006
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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helped even out moods
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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too many to list
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Depakote made me barf my guts out nonstop for the first 10 days I was on it. I finally called my pdoc and BEGGED to be taken off. Since it was working well on my mood, he refused, and I fought him for another 18 months before I finally was able to get off it.
The mood stabilizing properties are great. The hair loss ... the unexplained bruising ... not so much. The side effects just didn't make it worth it for me.
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eskielover
Magnate
Registered: October 2004
Posts: 2486
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Review Date: Thu September 14, 2006
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 5
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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nausea, headache, & extreme dizziness & sleepiness
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This medication was given to me while in the hospital. It effected my blood pressure, causing the dizziness. Migraine pain also couldn't be tolerated. Because of the side effects it caused, I wasn't able to stay on it long enough to determine if it had any effect on the depression.
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darkeyes
Wise Elder
Registered: May 2001
Posts: 9655
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Review Date: Fri September 15, 2006
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 4
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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quick acting towards calming and/or reducing manic behaviour/episode
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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causes extreme fatigue,weight gain,hair loss,just blots out total feelings of emotion,zombifying.
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I did not care for Depakote,and for me,it just worsened my depression.
For the hypomanic (mild) state I was in,was like total knockdown,for mania was never a huge issue and only had one or 2 hypomanic episodes in my life.
I'm sure a person that is truly,in a full blown manic episode or approaching one may benefit by it,but I personally would prefer Lithium or Lamictal as a mood stabilizer.
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Suzy5654
Poohbah
Registered: May 2006
Posts: 1043
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Review Date: Sun September 24, 2006
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 2
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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decreased agitation when I was in a mixed state
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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didn't help with the depression at all
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Didn't do a thing for my depression when I was in a mixed state, but did decrease the agitation.
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Review Date: Wed October 18, 2006
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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none
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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grogginess and weight gain
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it made me feel worse than i had felt before. i was groggy and all i did was eat and think about eating. i gained 35 lbs on it.
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pinacolada
Visitor
Registered: February 2007
Posts: 4
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Review Date: Sat February 24, 2007
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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absolutely none
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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extreme tiredness, extreme weight gain, excessive hair loss
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I Was Forced to take this medication by foster parents and therapists, I had no good outcome from it. I gained 35 pounds in 5 months. Hair loss was extreme everyday I ran my fingers through my hair while nin the shower and it was like endless thick strands were falling out. I Was a pretty healthy cheerleader and within a few months I despised how much weight I continued to gain. I slept all through the night and could sleep the next day away no problem. my eyes watered all the time. I felt slow mentally and physically and withdrawn. Within 3 months of quitting Depakpote I returned to normal body weight, made new friends and enjoyed playing sports and being myself.
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tweak
New Member
Registered: February 2007
Posts: 3
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Review Date: Tue April 10, 2007
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 7
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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I seemed to be able to focus on things better and it was calming.
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Big time weight gain, gradually dried my skin out with discolorations and when my hair started coming out in clumps I quit using it.
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Depakote really helped my hyper moods. I tend to talk to much and get angry off the cuff.
What it did to my skin is very depressing, dried out with a plethora of different marks and spots. Already fighting the pounds all my life, this just put my eating out of control. I was always hungry. It's a real battle.
After a couple of years of using it, my hair started falling out in clumps when I washed or brushed it. That's when I quit using it. No withdrawal and my hair stopped falling out, but my skin is ruined. It looks like a homeless person's leathery skin and I rarely even go outdoors.
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lunakit
Visitor
Registered: April 2007
Posts: 12
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Review Date: Thu April 12, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: $10.00| Rating: 10
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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excellent mood stabilizer
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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none
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I'm bipolar with a tendency toward dysphoric mania. Since taking this med I feel like a normal person (or what I imagine a normal person feels like!). It stabilizes my moods without inducing brainfog. I can think, I can work, I can play, I can sleep. I haven't gained any weight or lost any hair. I take 250mg 3x per day. My pdoc told me that most people who get extreme weight gain and/or hair loss side effects are taking too much. If you're considering trying this med, start with a low dose, titrate gradually and if you start gaining weight or losing hair, taper down a dose. If it doesn't work well enough for you at the lower dose, talk to your pdoc about combining it with a low dose of another med.
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prime23
Visitor
Registered: April 2007
Posts: 14
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Review Date: Tue April 17, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: $0.03| Rating: 6
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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controls mania; no migraines
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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hair loss; no help for depression; occasional diarrhea and stomach upset
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I've been on Depakote for almost seven years. It's a good mood stabilizer, but my hair has thinned and won't grow more than a few inches. I don't think this is due to other causes. I can count on one hand the number of headaches I've had since I started on this med, which is nice. This med is very expensive, but I'm Medi-Medi; so I get it for almost nothing. The worst thing about it is, if I get depressed, about all I can do is wait for it to go away. I don't do well on antidepressants, and Depakote doesn't work for depression.
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meinghoh
Visitor
Registered: April 2007
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Thu April 19, 2007
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 3
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Ok mood stabilizer.
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Weight gain, hair loss, skin issues
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Sure, in the stabiliztion department it worked ok, however I gained 40 lbs in 6 months, my hair thinned out, and my skin looked....old?
Dropped the medication, trying to loose the weight grow my hair back and attempt to revive my skin to a somewhat healthy level and appearence. It is difficult, but I am managing with taking a small dose of zoloft.
It is sad that I wasn't told about these side effects before I was placed on them. From here on out, before I swallow another pill, I will throughly check it out - outside of the prescribing doctor.
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PiperWilson
Visitor
Registered: April 2007
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Thu April 26, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Helped my son's moods and migraines
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Elevated ammonia blood levels
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It worked well for him for a few years, but at one point he started throwing up for no apparent reason. The doctor's monitored his liver enzymes regularly. BUT, I was attending a conference and the presenter mentioned something about ammonia in the blood. I had my son tested, and his ammonia levels were at least 3 times higher than they should have been.
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cherryblossom
Member
Registered: April 2007
Posts: 24
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Review Date: Sat May 12, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: $90.00| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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It helped me consentrate
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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upset my stomach
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It had to have it raised a month ago.So the name change to Valproic Acid.know I feel alot better than I did.It really helps and I can even tell when I don't take my meds that I am relapsing.The price is so high that I can't afford my med's.My husband is worried that it will keep me from taking it like I am suppose to.But I am because I don't care anything about going back in the hospital.
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Bookish
Visitor
Registered: June 2007
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Fri June 8, 2007
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 3
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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I felt subdu.ed somewhat. Less hyper
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Nausea, Bloating, FAST WEIGHT GAIN !!! Early symptoms felt like morning sickness and lack of motivation. Very tired and listless.
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I have now taken myself off of Depakote after about three months of treatment because the side effects are worse then the disorder. I have been diagnosed as having a mild case of Bipolar disorder with mild depression and more manic episodes. Now that I am drug free, I feel a sense of well being and freedom. Depakote is not a drug to take without first weighing the side effects verses the actual disorder it may be helping. In my case I was very unhappy with the weight gain and the perpetually tired look on my face. I felt fat, old and bloated.
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Psychotic_Phil
Member
Registered: February 2007
Posts: 295
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Review Date: Fri June 22, 2007
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 4
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Relieved me of my moodiness symptoms that Lithium didn't treat
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Weight gain, sedation makes my brain not work.
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Depakote, while not being as bad as Lithium is still a mood stabilizer and a bad one too. Weight gain, sedation and making your mind shatter? This is not a good med. Stay away from all of the mood stabilizers!
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drummergrl
Member
Registered: July 2007
Posts: 224
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Review Date: Fri July 6, 2007
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 3
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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none
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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shakes, weight gain, drowsy............
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Depakote was the first original drug choice from my Psychiatrist after being diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder. After 6 mos. I was having too many episodes that weren't getting relieved, and I was finding alot of my thoughts jumbled and suicidal. Not a good drug to stabalize mood swings. Too unreliable. Too many nasty side effects.
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BrazilMaster
Junior Member
Registered: August 2007
Posts: 6
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Review Date: Mon September 3, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 8
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Helps to prevent Migraines and focus
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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expensive med .
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My pdoc has prescribed this medication for treating the GAD. I can focus and especially concentrate better; ex. reading, writting, etc...
Without it, it seems that my mind is "wandering" too much, and without proper functioning. The headaches also tend to re-appear if I dont take the med. I take 225-500/ day.
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dreamin
Visitor
Registered: October 2007
Posts: 2
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Review Date: Mon October 15, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 4
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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It did help my mood/anger alot
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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weight gain
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massive weight gain made me so much more severe depressed, so I stopped taking it. they had me up to 4000 mg a day! The Dr never warned me of the weight gain first and he knew one thing I was depressed over was my weight to begin with was my weight.
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mattchicago
Visitor
Registered: October 2007
Posts: 1
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Review Date: Thu October 18, 2007
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Would you recommend this? Yes |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 5
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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Less manic episodes
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Weight Gain, Shaky Hands
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Hard to say whether i recommend or not as this is the only drug I've been on since I've been diagnosed (3 plus years now). I feel like I've had less manic episodes, but feel like I've been more depressed as well. Weight gain (10-15 pounds) & shaky hands have been a side effect.
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Gianna
Visitor
Registered: October 2007
Posts: 10
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Review Date: Wed October 24, 2007
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 1
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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none
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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made me gain 70 lbs, made me stupid, did not help my psychological problmes
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Causes polycystic ovary syndrome in young women which causes infertility. I know a lot of people that this has happened to.
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summerteeth
Visitor
Registered: November 2007
Posts: 5
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Review Date: Thu November 8, 2007
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: $20.00| Rating: 2
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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nothing.
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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weight gain.
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I've been on Depakote for just over two months (in addition to Seroquel), and I've gained nearly 45 lbs. Also, it has not helped my moods at all. My mania and my depression are exactly the same as they were when I was prescribed this crap (in an outpatient program). I'm going off this treatment in the next month. Hopefully Lithium, Concerta, and Ativan will prove more effective.
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Barbarian
Visitor
Registered: November 2007
Posts: 9
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Review Date: Fri November 30, 2007
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 3
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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An effective anti-manic drug.
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Such a financial liability; you'll get so fat that you'll become a whale (literally); you'll get depressed b/c of your increased weight; you'll develop an increased appetite and thus have to buy much more food; you'll have to buy expandable clothing.
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Compared to contemporary treatments for all aspects of bipolar disorder, this drug is the LEAST recommended! Okay, so Depakote is probably the most studied anti-manic drug to date. It IS effective for preventing manic episodes, but...other than the fact that it is effective for mania, the cons easily outweigh the ONLY pro. But its pro is nothing new. There are other drugs -- such as Lamictal, Seroquel, and lithium -- that are equally effective at treating mania, and without the massive weight gain. Massive weight gain was the most devastating side-effect -- at least for me. You'll also develop a much-increased sense of appetite. Unlike other medications, Depakote does not max out after a certain amount of months in terms of weight-gain. You'll continually get fat until you stop it. Even after I stopped taking Depakote, it took more than 6 months to return to my original weight.
More on the weight gain...you might as well throw out the mirrors and weight scales. You'll keep gaining and gaining weight until you have had enough of it. I had to constantly buy expandable clothing and I was constantly hungry. And I had to take a crap almost everyday -- to the point where I overflowed the toilet almost daily. Highly unusual and unnecessary. I could spend, easily, $100 for food per week because my appetite skyrocketed. When you factor in the amount you spend on this medication, more expandable clothing, and extra food, this medication is a financial liability. Moreover, this medication can be substituted for Lamictal, which although expensive in itself, would be cheaper than getting the Depakote and its "3rd-party" effects. I HIGHLY recommend Lamictal over this putrid drug.
I do NOT recommend this drug in ANY case. It would be better to not be treated. Gaining weight with it only increased my depression and self-esteem. And in my opinion, Lamictal is probably the best medication on the market to treat bipolar depression without throwing one into mania along with the fact that it prevents seizures AND manic episodes. Throw lithium in this mix and you've got yourself an unstoppable combination. And the best part of all, Lamictal has VERY FEW, if any, side-effects.
Lamictal is considered as the only TRUE mood stabilizer along with lithium; in many cases, Lamictal is more effective than lithium, and with virtually no side effects. Lamictal is not only a POWERFUL mood stabilizer, but it also has POWERFUL anti-depressant properties as well. It is very expensive, however...but WELL WORTH IT! Be sure to talk to your doctor about the effectiveness of this drug versus Lamictal, Seroquel, and or lithium...
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ehrhar
Member
Registered: December 2007
Posts: 41
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Review Date: Tue January 15, 2008
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 3
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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mood stable
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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Weight gain
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Gained 40 pounds which leads to poor self-esteem. Like I need that too.
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thancen
Junior Member
Registered: March 2008
Posts: 13
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Review Date: Thu March 6, 2008
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Would you recommend this? No |
Total Spent: Not Indicated| Rating: 2
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Positive aspects of this (pros):
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stabilized mood somewhat
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Negative aspects of this (cons):
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weight gain, tremors, nightmares, hair loss
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Only stabilized my mood a little bit. Side effects were EXTREME weight gain (60 pounds in 4 months even on a monitored diet and exercise program), sleeping all the time, my hair falling out in clumps, tremors so bad I couldn't hold on to a juice glass, horrible nightmares.
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