my teenage daughter has been on sv for six years it controlls her fits better than any other med and beleive me we have tried lots the problem is when she started taking it she was asize twelve now five years on she is a size twenty the docs have said it is common side affect but it dosnt seem to be slowing down dose anyone else have this problem i would love to hear from you caza

I wasn't on it for that many years, but I understand. Depakote as the brand name drug is called in the US, added on weight to me. I could no longer fit into the suit I had purchased. After getting off Depakote I dropped the weight gained, but not in proportion. I had to buy new pants/jeans as well as a new suit and dress slacks.

I think in my case the weight difference caused by Depakote was a minimal of 30 pounds (13.6 Kg).

It can also have a thinning effect on hair.

--Travis

ive havent been on depakote very long (6 monthes) but it has caused me to have some unwanted side effects. the weight gain is a real pain. ive gained like 20 pounds and im losing all my hair. my parents wont let me switch though cause its the only thing thats controlling my seizures (im 19 and in college now). so the weight thing really sucks being a teen and all. i also take topamax which is supposed to have the opposite effect (make you lose weight) and you think the 2 meds would balance out...but they dont. i just really dont like depakote and am trying to convince my parents to let me give lamictal a chance.