Hi. I'm new here but thought I'd answer your question since I'm taking Valproate ER 250x2, 2 times a day. I have been taking it for a couple of months, maybe a little longer. The results for me are amazing. I'm so thankful to feel better. I'm still being diagnosed but my seizures had/have an autonomic aspect so I was super uncomfortable. I was aware of the feelings but not aware that I was spacing out and losing time. I went to the neuro for the autonomic features and headaches and they did an eeg. Back to the valproic acid/depakote/valproate whatever, the side affects I'm feeling are swollen ankles and mild weight gain. I think I've gained about 5 lbs. But I've also been eating more because before I took it I felt so awful whenever I would eat. Possibly mild hair loss but that's hard to say. They have been testing my blood for liver function and ammonia. I'm not taking anything else at the moment...no cocktail. The spikes are temporal lobe. I do not lose consciousness or have grand mal. I hope that helps.

I took it over 25 years ago, but it made me vomit if I'd eat pizza or drink juices.

I want to also add that after taking the first round and getting a refill, the generic I was taking was changed by the pharmacy from amneal brand to Mylan brand. On the mylan I had really bad agitation! The dr put me on the brand name.

My husband became extrimley vilont on these to poung he was out of controle hes off them now and seen big inprovment in his behavioyr x

Those answers are very helpful. I am hoping there is alternative to this med for me but will see. I hope you are all having a great day.