Depakote and weight gain

I am a 38 male and have been on 1000 mg of Depakote daily for about 4-5 months to treat bipolar disordor. I can honsetly say that this drug saved my marriage, my job and perhaps my life.

I am sorry to read that so many fine people are experiencing such terrible side affects. I seem to only experience a very slight lack of concentration, increased sleepiness but no more than 8-10 hours tops and a touch of weight gain. Hair loss?? Not sure as I have losing some for a good while :)

As far as the weight gain goes; strongly suggest that people try and eat smaller meals broken out throughout the day and keep sugar-free popsicles in the fridge :-) And of course working out. This seems to have kept my weight within normal range.

Good luck all and don't be so quick to dismiss Depakote, it cant be all things to all people but may help the rest of us.

i have been taking depakote for 1month (500 mg extended release). i have been starving, note a 10lb weight gain, i am also having muscle pain in from my hips down. i have alot of swelling in my legs also. i can do without this medication. last night was my last dose. i was taking this med for a recent diagnosis of mania.

I have not experienced any hair loss or weight gain with this drug. I take Depakote 250 milligrams 3x per day for migraine headaches. Once in the morning, and two in the evening. What I do get is an unbelievable case of indegestion. I always make it a point to eat when taking this medication. I was also wondering if anyone has had a decrease, in thier sexual desire ? Being on this drug? any comments would be greatly appreciated

I am 64 years old and I have been taking Depakote for app-
roximately 10 years. For many years I was diagonosed with
Bipolar. Through the years I have been on many anti-depress
ants. Some would work and some wouldn't. I got so sick and
tired of all the medications, I just wanted to throw them out
in the yard. However... for the past three to four years, I
have just been totally depressed. Going to different Dr.'s
trying this and that. Still depressed. So, this past week I
went to a new Dr. and guess what... he took me completely
off of Depakote. I was only taking 1,000 mgs. a day. In the
past I have taken as much as 2,100 mgs a day. Once I got
toxic, didn't even know my own name. Couldn't even call
anyone for help because my memory was in such bad shape.
Weight gain, memory loss, leg aches, swollen feet and legs,
and it messed up my thyroid. Felt drugged every morning,
tired all the time, didn't want to go anywhere, just wanted to
sleep all the time and let everything go. It's a horrible feeling
to have. You don't have a life. There has been many times
in my past, that I had just soon been dead. But.......I would
be a fool to do something so stupid! I have two wonderful
sons and four lovely grandchildren. Those of you that are on
Depakote, I wish you the best of luck. And remember...
you are suppose to have blood work done every three months
so that the Dr. can know your Depakote level.

listlessness, outragous hunger. weight gain over 100lbs in a yr no energy sleep all day all night every day no enthusiasm or interest in anything. sweats profusely at any kind of exertion. am on them for seizures but they never stop i still have them, i am on over 3000 mg a day.

People taking this drug for seizures are going to have very different experiences then the bipolars, I believe. Pretty much everyone has some weight gain, but not major (10-20lbs).
I was diagnosed as a rapid cycling bipolar, and before this drug, I was completely miserable. I was started on Depakote instead of Lithium due to fewer side effects, and it was a huge sucess.
Moods are stable, manic episodes are gone, sleep is stabilzed, libido is normal, depression is rare. I am 20 lbs heavier, happy, and "normal". I can't say enough good things about this drug.
Bipolars, steer away from the negative comments here and go to the bipolar support sites. You will find almost nothing but positive testimonials about this drug for our condition.

I too have weight gain and concentration problems. I am on it for migranes. I am always thirsty and they a one hell of a pill to swallow! The main problem is concentration and light headness.. I have to talk with my nureo and am looking into a naturalpath.

Hi ... I am trying so hard to get a neuro to take me off of Depakote. I have had every side effect it comes with and I still have seziures. I have nauseu , weight gain , diarrea , and worst of all hairloss. I lose gobs of hair.
I just want off this medicine. :(