Show ratings & reviews for

3.4 Overall Rating

Effectiveness

Ease of Use

Satisfaction

Most voted positive review

63 People found this comment helpful

I've been taking depakote for 9 months and it has some what helped my mood swings, but it has really improved my concentration and anxiety problems. Depakote combined with adequate nutrition and exercise is the ultimate treatment for my bipolar dis order.People need to realize that medication alone will not provide them the best results. The worst thing about the depakote for me, is occasionally I...

Most voted negative review

39 People found this comment helpful

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

Shared reviews and ratings

Anonymous | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 6 months to less than 1 year | Patient
5/23/2018
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

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

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Anonymous | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
5/15/2017
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

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

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Anonymous | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
5/14/2017
Condition: Bipolar Disorder in Remission
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

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

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
John doe | 25-34 | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
4/18/2017
Condition: Bipolar I Disorder with Most Recent Episode Mixed
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

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.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
mesaarizona | 45-54 | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
1/26/2017
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 2.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

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

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Anonymous | 55-64 | Female | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
1/17/2017
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

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.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
bruce | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
11/28/2016
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 1.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

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.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Jan | 55-64 | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
10/11/2016
Condition: Bipolar I Disorder with Most Recent Episode Mixed
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

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

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
migrainenomore | 35-44 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
10/9/2016
Condition: Migraine Prevention
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

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

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Anonymous | 25-34 | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
9/18/2016
Condition: Petit Mal Epilepsy with Multiple Seizure Types
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I'm happy that I don't have seizures and all, but for something that happens maybe 2-3 times a year, I wish I were on something not so strong. I think the biggest cause of my weight gain is that I don't have energy. When I was on a lower dosage, 500mg/day, I had a lot more energy. I had issues with nausea for the first couple weeks of the new dosage, 1,000mg/day, and I'm still sleeping 10-12 hours a night. I just hope I get used to it soon and I can start doing karate classes again without feeling like I'm going to fall asleep as soon as I get home. Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Anonymous | 35-44 | On medication for 5 to less than 10 years | Patient
8/8/2016
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 3.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I have been taking his for several years and it has worked well. What I don't understand is my doctor has only done blood work one time. My mood swings are somewhat under control.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Rich74 | 35-44 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
5/19/2016
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 4.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Depakote is my main medication to treat my Bi-polar Disorder. It has really worked for me; manages my mood swings well; and I don't experience any side-effects from it. My only complaint is that I have 2 get regular lab work to monitor my liver enzymes. I have been on it for 20 yrs and my liver is normal.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Mayya | 35-44 | Female | On medication for 1 to less than 2 years | Caregiver
3/30/2016
Condition: Seizures with Breaks in Consciousness & Other Symptoms
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Had been working very well for my 10 year old's absence seizures.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
wondermanguy | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
1/28/2016
Condition: Bipolar I Disorder with Most Recent Episode Mixed
Overall rating 5.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I took lithium for several decades. I find that depakote makes me feel much less numb. Lithium dulled me so much, emotionally. I am so sorry I was not taking depakote for all these years. It is a great drug. So many of the newer drugs have serious side effects and can harm the heart.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
CLFSU | 45-54 | Female | On medication for 1 to 6 months | Patient
1/27/2016
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

It caused my white blood counts to plummet.. I actually had to go to a cancer center to help figure out the cause. Once off Depacote, my levels returned to normal.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Allergic2Depakote | 19-24 | Male | On medication for less than 1 month | Patient
1/5/2016
Condition: Bipolar Disorder in Remission
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Okay, this drug might not be inherently bad but i wanted to post to warn people that i had an allergic reaction to this drug, sweating, heart racing and beating so hard i almost fainted, my body got so hot i had to jump in the pool. 20 years old asking my mom to hold me after taking this, lucky to be alive really. Just a warning, i hardly have any allergies to anything so yeah.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
Shoshana | 45-54 | Female | Patient
9/9/2015
Condition: Migraine Prevention
Overall rating 2.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

Have suffered with migraines for 20+ years. Vomiting, diarrhea, unable to function. Nothing has worked for me. On occasion Fioricet helped. Other preventatives did nothing. Everyday I had some kind of headache. Neurologist put me on dosage to go up to 1000 mg a day. I started slowly because I am hyper-sensitive to medication. On positive side, headaches have stopped. Little one here and there. I am in a much better place mentally, positive attitude, motivated to go to the gym, have no appetite (have to lose 50 pounds) so okay. Negative side, by the time I got to 750 mg, I was having severe anxiety/panic attacks, crying for no reason, calling my ex-fiance to have him come back to me after not thinking of him for five months, restless, leg shaking, lot of energy, signed up for a 5K (don't run), and knees are killing me. I am very upset because I have not had a migraine for a month but I don't know what is worse. Called my neurologist to find out what if anything can be done. Maybe increase my regular anxiety medication. :( It is a lifesaver for my head.Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
JC | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
8/3/2015
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 1.0
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

First prescribed for me after failed trials with Lamictal, this drug had zero efficacy as well, even on ridiculously high dosages of 2000mg per day. I indeed have disabling depression and anxiety and RARE pronounced mood swings. I've had terrible side effects personally, from weight yoyo'ing to hair loss to water retention, peripheral edema, and signs of renal failure. Hoping this review helps others in my position.

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
CocaColaLover | 45-54 | Male | On medication for 10 years or more | Patient
6/21/2015
Condition: Epileptic Seizure
Overall rating 4.3
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

I am a 45 Year Old White Male, Michigan-USA, 6'6", 430 pounds, I have Petiemal Epilepsy, Bipolar 2, Depression, ADD, Tremor Disorder. I have been on Depakote Medication for 39 Years. The problems I have is Stomach pains that come & go, Kidney Stones every 7-9 months, Monthly Constipation, Weight Gain (Didn't start till I started on the meds). Mild Hair Loss, Mild Iron Loss, Tremor Disorder. Depakote will help with Migraine Headaches, Seizure Disorders, Bipolar Disorder and Alcohol Withdrawal. Now I don't know if its just me or the medication but I sense a seizure coming on within 30 minutes if I smell "Sulfur or something burning" that no one else smells. I am a Non-Smoker, No Drugs, No Alcohol.Read More Read Less

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.
j | 55-64 | Male | On medication for 2 to less than 5 years | Patient
5/11/2015
Condition: Bipolar Depression
Overall rating 2.7
Effectiveness
Ease of Use
Satisfaction

After being on this medication for years. I started to have issue with my liver and pancreas. It got really bad. thought my liver was failing. after 4 weeks in and out of hospital. Levels finally going down. but they took me off of the Depakote

Report this postFill 3Created with Sketch.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT USER-GENERATED CONTENT ON WEBMD

The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions.

Read More