25 mg 2x a day to 100 mg 2 x a day will cut back to 100 mg 1 x a day because of the sinus/ ear problems however i began taking as a mood stabilizer/weight management drug and it has been wonderful. side effects have included tingling in hands, feet and face and appetite suppression. I have not been on any other prescription medications, so for you others, who have had bad experiences, most of you I have been reading have been taking one to three other meds at one time, maybe that could be adding to the issues of your side effects?? I'm not sure, but it's been great and I've not had any ongoing irritating side effect other than the ear pain caused by the high dosage.