My doc rx'd me Depakote today as I told her I have trouble falling asleep. Isn't this for bipolar disorder?

I take Zoloft 25 mg for anxiety which works for me but told her I cannot sleep as I start thinking too much. I asked if maybe she should up the dosage on the Zoloft but she said it would do no good, that Depakote or Syraquil would be better. I am afraid to take it as it seems like it is for bipolar disorder and have never been told I am bipolar. I have friends with this disorder and am nothing like that. Help, please! Also, what are the side effects??

Depakote does make many people drowsy, which is probably why she prescribed it. Your liver must be monitored very closely when you on it (as it can cause liver problems).

Depakote was originally an anti-seizure medicine which has recently been used for bipolar. It is a mood stabilizer, meant to prevent the big swings in mood of a person with bipolar. It is not an anti-depressant.

It seems like a strange choice. You might want to ask her about it.

I am a nurse and I hate to see anyone taking depakote. There are so many meds that are a much safer choice. More and more i see them using antiseizure meds for sleep disorders. I hate the comanies that make these meds and then come up with 100 other reasons you can take them. In my opinion, seroquel would be a better choice if I had to choose. It will def. make you sleep. But also gain weight. All have possible side effects.

I took Neurotin for a while, it's the same drug class as Dep.
It was ok, but I switched to Seroquel, and wow, incredable stuff!
I take two 25mg's and I am out cold, and sleep like a rock for the whole night.
Take the Seroquel. I was nervous about it, but so glad I took it, it's amazing.

Call up your dr and say,"you know, my neighbor just told me she takes Seroquel, I'd like to give that one a try instead".

Depakote is a sedating mood stabilizer. But it's not really a good med to be taking if your only problem is insomnia. I would go back to your doctor and request a different medication. You'd probably be better suited with something like Remeron (mirtazapine) 7.5 mg.

This is a good medicine for Bipolar disorder or maybe epilepsy but not for what you have. It causes a lot of weight gain and you have to have blood work done often. I took it before and would not recommend it.

Depakote is an anti seizure medication used to treat many other conditions as well. It is used for mood stabilizer & anxiety.

Like my doctor said - "don't worry about the diagnosis....we treat the symptoms". And obviously your doctor thinks Depakote would maybe do some good. Give it a try.

and its for epilepsy too.
just a fun fact for you..