Get Informed: Depakote ER

185

Patient Comments About
Depakote ER

Active Ingredient(s)

Divalproex Sodium

What does it do?

Depakote ER

This product is used for the treatment of epilepsy, migraine and mania. It is believed to exert its effect by increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the brain.

Last Text Update:
 2010-Jul-31 4:19 PM
Last Data Update:
 2010-Jul-30 9:12 PM

Other Names

  • Depakote ER
  • Depakote
  • Divalproex
  • Valproic Acid
  • Divalproex Sodium
  • Depakene
  • Depakote Sprinkle
  • Valerin
  • Epilim
  • Stavzor
  • Sodium Valproate
  • Valproate Sodium
  • Convulex
  • Episenta

How Safe Is It?

Your Risk Rating
Please log in
Average Risk Rating
2:
Pregnancy Category
D

Black Box Warning

This product has a black box warning relating to its increased risk of liver damage, birth defects and pancreatitis.

Facts & Figures

Date Approved
10 Mar 1983
Est US Patients*
2,124,000
Generic Available
Yes
OTC Available
No

User Age Distribution*

16

< 21

34

21-39

38

40-59

12

60+

Age (Years)

* Estimated number of US people currently taking Depakote ER or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.

Other Resources

Recent alerts for Depakote ER

Depakote ER Safety Report

2:

The iGuard risk rating for Depakote ER is orange. This rating takes into account the fact that Depakote ER has been associated with an increased risk of liver problems. It means that should normally be used cautiously to minimize the risk of serious side effects.

Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings

  • Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Depakote ER interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.

What is Depakote ER used for?

iGuard is currently tracking more than 15,700 patients that use Depakote ER (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.

Disease / Condition % Average Severity
Bipolar Disorder 45% mild 6 severe
Epilepsy/Seizures 34% mild 4 severe
Anxiety 21% mild 6 severe
Depression 19% mild 6 severe
Migraine/Headache 15% mild 5 severe
Other 2% mild 8 severe

How well does Depakote ER work?

iGuard regularly polls our more than 15,700 users taking Depakote ER (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.

Average Satisfaction Score

(out of 10)

Average Effectiveness Score

(out of 10)

68 68
85%
of patients are confident that the good things about Depakote ER outweigh the bad things.
28%
of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Depakote ER.

Common Side Effects of Depakote ER

iGuard regularly polls our more than 15,700 users taking Depakote ER (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.

48%

48% of patients experience side-effects on Depakote ER

14%

14% of patients experience significant side-effects on Depakote ER


Most Common Side Effects...

  • 15% Weight Gain
  • 15% Drowsiness
  • 10% Tremor
  • 5% Hair Loss
  • 5% Grogginess/Confusion
  • 5% Fatigue
  • 5% Dizziness
  • 5% Nausea/Vomiting
  • 5% Abdo Pain/Cramps
  • = 10%

Less than 1%: Altered Taste/Smell, Heartburn/Reflux, Increased Appetite, Insomnia, Loss of Libido, Memory/Speech Problems, Mood/Behavior Changes, Suicidal Thoughts


Global Patient Feedback for Depakote ER (Divalproex Sodium) ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
Show Newest | Oldest first
English comments | Global comments

Question/Comment:

i have been taking depokate for three years now as i suffer bipolar disorder,i dont really like it and am waiting to go on lithium,fingers crossed.

Female Source: iGuard United Kingdom

Posted: 2010-06-19 02:09:30

Question/Comment:

I have been taking Depakote for 19 years ,had a full head of hair. Now I barely have any. Can't remember anything.much. I am reducing my dosage slowly,due to having migraines.

78 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-05-21 19:15:41

Question/Comment:

My daughter is 20yrs old & has been on Depakote for many years now. The drug started to take it's toll on her a few yrs ago, however, neither her previous neurologist nor her new one is willing to take her off of it. The problems she has with it include servere memory loss, hair loss, weight loss, and occasional moodiness. Though this medication has helped control her seizures for the most part, she still had to have a Vagus Nerve Stimulator(VNS) put in in Dec. 2009. The hope was to be able to slowly take her completely off the Depakote. Still hasn't happend. She also takes Lamictal, & Tegratol for her seizures as well. In my opinion, this drug is not a good one because of the side effects. And as soon as the doc gets her seizures more under control, hopefully she'll be Depakote free.

20 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-04-19 09:38:10

Question/Comment:

depakote as well as other drugs made my bipolar husband very ILL. We both decided that any of these drugs did not make him well. His doctor was not at all helpful in getting him OFF these drugs. So as his wife, I made diet a change. Since I have been giving him a diet of great foods and we walk 5 miles every morning together...he is a new person!!!

No doctor can give you a life like I have given my husband!!! He eats fresh fruits as well as a juiced fresh drink I make and I pack him a great lunch of a high fiber wrap with wonderful fresh ingredients. He lost 115 ponds over about 15 months and feels fantastic!!! NEVER did any doctors help him like I did. We walk over 10,000 steps a day and bike together everyday around 20 miles and we are in our 60's. Life is better than ever WITHOUT doctors.

60 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-04-02 21:38:18

Question/Comment:


I have a soar throat.

28 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States

Posted: 2010-03-28 03:00:33

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