Depakote for Bipolar Disorder: What You Should Know

Living with bipolar disorder means navigating intense emotional highs and lows that can disrupt every part of your life. At Next Step Psychiatry in Lilburn, GA, we help patients across the Atlanta metro area manage bipolar disorder with evidence-based treatment — and Depakote is one of the most well-established medications in our toolkit.

What Is Depakote?

Depakote is the brand name for divalproex sodium, an anticonvulsant medication originally developed to treat epilepsy. However, it has proven highly effective for managing manic and mixed episodes in bipolar disorder. It works primarily by increasing levels of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a calming neurotransmitter in the brain. By boosting GABA activity, Depakote helps reduce the intensity of manic symptoms and stabilize mood.

What Does Depakote Treat?

Depakote has three FDA-approved uses:

• Manic and mixed episodes in bipolar disorder
• Seizures in epilepsy
• Migraine headache prevention

It's important to note that Depakote is generally more effective for bipolar mania than for bipolar depression. For the depressive side of bipolar disorder, your psychiatrist may recommend additional or different medications.

How Is Depakote Taken?

Depakote is typically started at 500–750 mg per day, divided into multiple doses. Your provider will adjust the dosage based on your symptoms, body weight, and blood levels. It comes in several forms: delayed-release tablets, extended-release tablets, capsules, sprinkle capsules (which can be mixed with food), and an oral liquid.

Consistency matters — take it at the same time(s) each day for best results. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it's nearly time for the next one. Never double up.

How Does Depakote Make You Feel?

When Depakote is working well, patients describe feeling more emotionally balanced — less driven by the extreme highs of mania or the crushing lows of depression. The goal isn't to flatten your emotions but to bring them to a manageable range where you can function, maintain relationships, and enjoy daily life.

It usually takes a few weeks to feel the full effects, so patience during the initial adjustment period is important.

Potential Side Effects

Common side effects include:

• Nausea or stomach upset
• Drowsiness
• Weight gain
• Tremor
• Hair thinning
• Dizziness

More serious risks — though uncommon — include liver damage, pancreatitis, and low platelet counts. Regular blood work is required to monitor liver function and medication levels. At Next Step Psychiatry, we take monitoring seriously and schedule regular follow-ups to ensure your safety.

Important: Depakote carries significant risks during pregnancy and should generally be avoided by women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Discuss family planning with your provider.

Comprehensive Bipolar Care in Gwinnett County

Medication is just one component of managing bipolar disorder effectively. At Next Step Psychiatry, Dr. Aneel Ursani and Fathima Chowdhury, PA-C work with each patient to develop a treatment plan that may include mood stabilizers like Depakote, therapy referrals, lifestyle modifications, and ongoing monitoring.

Our office is conveniently located on Lawrenceville Highway in Lilburn, serving patients from Lawrenceville, Snellville, Tucker, Stone Mountain, and beyond.