Intro to DEPAKOTE (valproate)

[@stefanhoutzager]

We have a horrible experience with our mentally handicapped son of 17 - valproic acid induced encephalopathy. 2,5 percent of the users get this. Read all about the side effects before using this and if you do beware of them, monitor.

[@desieescamilla7144]

My daughter has bipolar 1 she's 22 was given this 500 mg twice a day when she was hospitalized mid September, its the worse she walks around like a zombie she's not herself, has major tremors losing tons of hair, im currently weening her off completely and just keeping her on lithium 🙏

[@chrisround5122]

It's terrible! Keeps you in a constant depression 🙁. I just stopped taking it after 6 months. I've had no bipolar 1 highs since. Please get your daughter off it ASAP and tell anyone else you know. I'm not a Dr, but you just know when something is wrong. Hope this is helps 😊👍

[@sallyruss4574]

@@chrisround5122 Thanks for your post. My dr just prescribed this for low GABA A. I'm very concerned about taking this and thing I'll pass. I'm 53 and already have essential tremor, gain weight easy and don't need to risk liver and pancreas problems. I picked up the RX and I'm going to toss it. Thanks for your post. Xanax worked best for my sleep but unfortunately you build up a tolerance so it only works short term. God Bless You!!

[@anikm111]

My father is on depakote for 10 years. Is it getting him bad ?

[@spencerhann1972]

Hello Dr. Reeves! Love your videos! Curious if you’ve seen any correlation with new-onset IBD in your patients taking Depakote? I read a very interesting article published by the European Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Organization that completed a study showing a strong connection between new-onset IBD (UC especially) and the use of valproic acid. Would love your insights if you’ve seen a connection at all. Thanks!

[@gorgoniomendoza7648]

1500 mg daily for me. Due to an severe traumatic brain injury works well with my epilepsy but not perfect. Although It is truly helping and has slowed my seizures from several a week to about 1 or so.

[@CynthiaBlanchard-y2q]

How long does depacoat take to satart helping?

[@HollowVert]

I’m currently waiting for my next appointment to discuss with my dr about coming off of depakote.

[@marieazrak1951]

Actually for me it caused me to have mood swings as a young adult and when I was younger

[@ralval5376]

God bless doctors I was in a back way mentally but this rx along with many other have saved my life🤙🏻 yeah science!

[@tedwilliams1994]

During my teenage years til my temporal lobectomy, I was taking 3250mg a day. Along with Tegretol both medications drained me. I had shaking in my hands, that caused terrible handwriting. I would zone out while in class and tiredness, very hard to stay awake, especially with both medications on-board.

[@DeAvondshow]

Really informative video, thank you for that. I am getting this drug soon. I am on Levetiracetam for a while now and it does not give me the wanted effect. My neurologist told me to take this madication (DEPAKINE CHRONO TABLET MGA 500MG) along with my Levetiracetam (1500MG every moring and evening). I really, really hope this helps me getting rid of the absance and anxiety stuff. Again, Thank you for the info.

[@chrisround5122]

Depakote is for Bipolar my friend and its the worst drug out there. Keeps you in a constant state of depression.. Won't help with anxiety. I've been on antidepressants for 34yrs, they help a bit with anxiety, but Diazepam is the best anxiety treatment. Dr's are now only prescribing it short term. I'm on 5mg per day. Depakote, please try and get off it... Be good to hear from you as to how you're doing

[@joesbarandgrill5393]

Do NOT mix with Lamictal! Horrible, horrible interaction! My neurologist added Depakote to Lamictal after having an induced seizure in his care. Unconsciousness, forgetfulness, double vision, unable to walk without assistance, irrational behavior, dizziness and paranoia. I quit taking it on my own after the dose was lowered while I was hospitalized because of this. I took over 6 weeks to get back to normal.

[@JoannMiller.]

I have schizophrenia,schizoaffective, adhd and add I took a double dose of depakote. It made me throw up, gave me diarrhea, and I flushed it down the toilet, my mom told me to. I went back into the hospital they told me to keep taking a double dose. And when I did it started to melt my brain. And now my hurts.

[@rachiestee7337]

Would you prescribe this for a patient with schizophrenia?

[@marieazrak1951]

Folic acid I take currently for tremors and it's a great medication I currently take the generic version of keppra extended release 500 mg extended release and I take five 100 mg or it might be microgram pill in the morning and they take folic acid to help balance out my tremors and they're awesome

[@kata6966]

Can Depakote cause painful tactile?

[@UHFStation1]

Do you offer Q&As? For example is there anything that promotes neurogenesis? I have read that depression isn't caused by a chemical imbalance, but rather a hippocampus that is relatively undersized and has poor connections. Perhaps we simply need more growth to meet a rate of decline?

[@chrisround5122]

Exercise promotes neurogenesis x

[@The_New_Abnormal_World_Order]

I recently read that Depakote actually inhibits neurogenesis in the hippocampus.

[@joyogggKids]

Hi doc , i used 500 er before for 3 years and stop it but i don't have epilepsy again for 2 years , on April 2022 i got seizure and epilepsy 2 Times so my question should i drink depakote 500 er again

[@phil4818]

I was prescribed for seizures - was on 500mg x2 a day and had a break through seizure, then my nuerologist told me to increase to 750 twice a day, the 750 in the morning is way, way to hard, I simply cannot stay awake after taking it, I am going to try 500 in the morning and 750 12 hours later.

[@AndrewReevesNeurology]

I almost always prescribe the time-release version to reduce side effects.

[@phil4818]

@@AndrewReevesNeurology fyi, I am prescribed time release... in the morning the difference between 500 and 750 mg is simply impossible to stay awake at 750 mg. Hopefully it will be enough by taking 750 at night to not get the seizures in my sleep!

[@monicacicognini8643]

Hi, I'm italian and I live in Sanremo . My son is 5 years old and epileptic for 2 years. takes 575 mg of depakin twice a day plus 30 mg lamictal in the morning and 35 mg lamictal in the evening. has good therapeutic ranges but continues to have seizures. he will probably have to change his treatment mainly because it is full of side effects. tremors, tiredness, attention deficit and sometimes seems drugged. difficulty speaking. all this is very sad I would like to help him more to live his days normally.

[@karmaline]

I’m currently taking 1200mg lithium and 200 serequel. Would you recommend depakote instead of serequal i can’t handle taking serequel? Serequal make me too tired and makes me feel hung over

[@KaraBoozilla]

I was on serequel for a while and it turned me into the hulk, always fighting , getting into trouble . Made me angry at everyone . I’m now on depakote and so far it’s okay, it’s so far just making me feel super tired and lethargic. Maybe you’ll have better luck with this medicine ! Always talk to your dr first though.

[@chrisround5122]

Definitely not

[@ashleylove1100]

Try a more holistic way none of this medicine will ever help they only mask the issue. Herb and vitamin correct the issue and you can be heal forever need to fine a dr who is willing to share the holistic way of doing this

[@aimzgarz7321]

Thank you wonderful man

[@riverbender9898]

Very glad for your return. Thank You for that information.

[@spanitaliangirl]

Dr. Reeves, I just watched your Neurologist Explains Orthostatic Hypotension video (thank you very much for the information!) but ... I cannot find the video that you promised - Scout’s honor! - to shoot on Autonomic Disorders! I don’t see it anywhere on your channel. Where is it? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Because I really need that information. Please let me know so I can find it as soon as possible. Thank you so very much for your help. 🙏🏻

[@KerriSmith-ob9dq]

No More More Depakote For Me

[@vaishalideore2128]

Sir my father is suffuring from 4 years parkinsons please give some advice

[@demelewmelesech3093]

Hi Dr how are you doing today thanks

[@devildiamond68]

I have been told that it's damaging my kidneys. On it 20 years now 😢

[@marieazrak1951]

That's why I don't take that medicine anymore I was having tremors I was gaining weight and was losing my hair a lot both when I brush my hair and when I showered

[@emic621]

I take 200mg of primidone for essential tremor and I had to fight through the sedative side effects for a long time. I’m mostly ok but I do probably consume more caffeine (coffee) than I should 😕

[@AndrewReevesNeurology]

I think I would nap much of the day if I took 200 mg of primidone! But, coffee IS a good thing!

[@emic621]

@@AndrewReevesNeurology believe me, I did at one point! 😂

[@mikailstar4270]

Thank you doc

[@Drew84z]

I got a 250mg pink color. And works better for me than keppra

[@marieazrak1951]

I was on debit Cain as a little kid and I was on depakote for years and I didn't like it because I was losing my hair and gaining weight

[@bystanderbutch3509]

Much better than lithium.

[@chrisschurfeld4076]

Surprised you didn't even mention the mood swings...possibly extreme. Honestly it seemed more like a pushers film instead of a true informational video. But I wasn't really expecting much for a nine minute video.

[@sitimariamahmariamah441]

Tidak tau apa arti nya,,,ini obat untuk apa trimakasih

[@gravitywellv4044]

Really nice to know because I just got put on it recently 😂

[@chrisround5122]

How are you finding Depakote?

[@gravitywellv4044]

@@chrisround5122 well i guess it's working ok but i stopped using it because it didnt work as well as i hoped on me

[@khy7672]

All tru

[@marieazrak1951]

I would not recommend prescribing anybody this medicine is specially if they want to have children and they have epilepsy I know cuz I've been on it for years and currently on keppra and the generic version of keppra

[@chrisround5122]

Totally destroys your self esteem and keeps you in a very depressed mood

[@ashleylove1100]

This is the worst medicine . Seriously almost killed my son don’t take it

[@LukaS-rw2zt]

Never again

[@marieazrak1951]

I personally think it needs to be taken off the market

[@jacksonklinger4398]

I heard it does help to learn languages easily is that correct? or not?

[@ashleylove1100]

Agree

[@marieazrak1951]

@@ashleylove1100 it made me gain weight and I started to lose my hair as side affects

[@norseczar27]

I love depekote I take it for bipolar