What causes weight gain with Depakote?

What causes weight gain with Depakote?

A 2007 study of epilepsy patients found that 44 percent of women and 24 percent of men gained 11 pounds or more while taking Depakote for about a year. The drug affects proteins involved in appetite and metabolism, although it’s not clear why it appears to affect women more than men.

Does Depakote increase weight gain?

Mood stabilizers used to treat bipolar disorder include lithium (Lithobid), valproic acid (Depakene), divalproex sodium (Depakote), carbamazepine (Tegretol, Equetro, others) and lamotrigine (Lamictal). All of these medications are known to increase the risk of weight gain except lamotrigine.

Why is my 7 year old gaining weight?

Most cases of childhood obesity are caused by eating too much and exercising too little. Children need enough food to support healthy growth and development. But when they take in more calories than they burn throughout the day, it can result in weight gain.

Why is my child putting on so much weight?

Children typically gain weight while consuming additional calories to help stabilize blood sugar levels, but they are unable to exercise due to rapid drops in blood sugar. Leptin resistance – The leptin hormone is produced by the body’s fat cells.

What are the long term effects of taking Depakote?

What are the potential long-term effects of taking Depakote? Depakote can cause liver damage, and the risk is more likely to occur during the first 6 months of taking the medication.

Are there any mood stabilizers that don’t cause weight gain?

Unlike most mood stabilizers, though, Lamictal is less likely to cause weight gain. In clinical trials, less than 5 percent of those taking Lamictal gained weight.

How do I not gain weight on Depakote?

Here are some ways to lose weight gained due to medication use:

1. Switch to a different medication. The first strategy to consider involves changing medications.
2. Lower medication dosage.
3. Limit portion sizes.
4. Exercise.
5. Eat more protein.
6. Talk to a dietitian.
7. Avoid alcohol.
8. Get enough sleep.

When should I worry about my child’s weight gain?

A BMI percentile of 95 or above indicates obesity, while percentiles between 85 and 95 indicate a child is overweight. Obesity requires intervention with a medical professional, but Mackey considers anything above the 85th percentile to be a potential cause for concern.

Why is my 7 year old not gaining weight?

Your child may not be gaining enough weight because: They are not eating enough. Their eating and coordination skills are lacking or there are feeding issues. They have increased energy requirements.

When should I worry about my child’s weight?

If your child is underweight or losing weight; is tired or ill a lot; has lasting symptoms like a cough, fever, diarrhea, or other problems, talk with your doctor. Kids and teens who are underweight because of eating disorders, like anorexia or bulimia, need medical attention.

Is 500mg of Depakote a lot?

Depakote ER is indicated for prophylaxis of migraine headaches in adults. The recommended starting dose is 500 mg once daily for 1 week, thereafter increasing to 1000 mg once daily.

How often do you gain weight on Depakote?

Up to 9% of people taking Depakote reported weight gain. This was most common in people taking the drug for migraine prevention (8%) or for complex partial seizures (9%).

Are there any side effects to taking Depakote?

This data comes from clinical trials that extensively studied Depakote and documented its side effects. Up to 9% of people taking Depakote reported weight gain. This was most common in people taking the drug for migraine prevention (8%) or for complex partial seizures (9%).

How old do you have to be to take Depakote?

As with other antiepileptics, Depakote may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior particularly in young adults under the age of 24. Monitor for worsening mood.

How long does it take for Depakote sprinkles to take effect?

Tablets take 4 hours to reach a peak, Depakote sprinkles take just over three. Food can delay the absorption of Depakote (food has a more significant effect on the tablets compared with the sprinkles). It may take several weeks of regular dosing before an effect on mood or seizure frequency is reported. 7.