Posted by susan C on January 23, 2002, at 13:08:39
In reply to Depakote Side Effects, posted by Robert Johnson on January 22, 2002, at 14:47:18
> Several questions for bipolars who have taken Depakote for more than three months:
>
> 1. Do the side effects (e.g., sedation, appetite increase, mental slowing, etc.) tend to diminish with time?Length of time on Depakote EC, 14 months: for me, yes, but there is some anyway so regards mental slowness it is hard to say. I do not now noticed fatigue when I take my morning dose.
I did not gain weight, I have lost weight, which I needed to do anyway...here is to drinking those eight glasses of water a day, or trying to, anyway.
>
> 2. Have you tried both Depakote and Depakote ER? Does the ER (Entended Release) version have fewer side effects?I take, (wait a sec, let me go read the bottle) Depakote EC, Enteric Coated, which means it is covered with something that gets it through the stomach before it dissolves therefore minimizing stomach upset...(which I never noticed at the beginning and I take it on an empty stomach) when I asked peadoc about difference between EC and ER extended release, he said, it is just a way for the companies to charge more, that by the time it gets to your brain, it is all the same. Might this be why your insurance company won't cover ER?
I know this has been posted here before and some people swear by the ER version...I have not taken it however. Depakote EC helps even out my mood.
Mouse balancing on the pill bottle
poster:susan C
thread:91119
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020116/msgs/91261.html