Depakote is the brand name of divalproex sodium. It is an anti-seizure medication used to treat epilepsy. According to the Mayo Clinic, Depakote is an anticonvulsant drug that works to stop seizures in the brain. It is a prescription-only medicine available as a capsule, syrup or pill in standard and extended-release formulations.
Emotional
Depakote, while it is designed as an anti-seizure medication, can have adverse side effects on your mental state. The more common of these side effects center around your perception of reality, the Mayo Clinic reports. Because Depakote works on your brain to stop the seizures associated with epilepsy, it can create other problems in your brain. For example, you might experience a state of confusion about normal, everyday things such as where you are and what you are doing. You also might develop delusions and dementia as well as paranoia. Euphoria, an exaggerated sense of elation, and its opposite, dysphoria, can be side effects of this medication. Depakote also can bring on symptoms of major depression such as sadness, emptiness and hopelessness. It can cause you to experience partial memory and related memory problems, though the Mayo Clinic says these are generally temporary and therefore non-serious.
Appetite
Depakote has been known to cause a decrease in or loss of your appetite. This may be connected with other side effects such as nausea and vomiting, or some of the mental side effects such as depression and paranoia. In any case, a diminished appetite can lead to bodily problems such as malnutrition and bodily weakness. According to RxList.com, 31 percent of those taking Depakote in a clinical trial experienced nausea and 11 percent had vomiting. The same study found that 6 percent had an appetite increase and 8 percent experienced weight gain. The Mayo Clinic reports that some appetite-related problems commonly seen when beginning Depakote treatment, such as belching, acidic stomach, and weight loss and gain, are temporary side effects.
Visual
There are some common side effects of Depakote that can affect sight. You might experience nearsightedness or farsightedness, for example. Diplopia, or seeing double, is another potential side effect affecting vision, according to the Mayo Clinic. All of these are temporary in most people, but call your doctor if they persist or become severe.
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