What is the average weight gain on Depakote?
By
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Milena’s Highlights:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.
Professional Experience:
With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.
Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.
Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.
In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.
A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.
Professional Memberships & Affiliations:
Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
Education:
-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.
-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.
-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.
Relevant Published Work & Citations:
Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.
Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).
Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.
Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).
Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.
Conference Papers:
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.
Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.
Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.
Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.
Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.
Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.
You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6
Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira
Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361
Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ
What is the average weight gain on Depakote?
The average weight gain on Depakote ranges from 1 to 20 pounds. However, some people have reported over 60 pounds of weight gain on this antiepileptic medication.
According to experts, Depakote causes weight gain in about 50-60% of its users – but the weight gain is not usually significant. If you’re gaining some weight on this medication, you can still manage it with your diet and good exercise routine(1).
However, if you’re gaining a significant amount of weight on Depakote, you should consult your healthcare provider. Don’t stop using this medication without your doctor’s approval.
Why does Depakote cause weight gain?
Depakote causes weight gain because it can change the way you eat. Research shows that this medication can decrease glucose levels and increase your body’s desire to eat (2).
This leads to increased appetite which makes you consume a greater number of calories. These calories begin to store in your body as fat. Studies have also revealed that Depakote can cause depression and mood disturbances in some people.
This can trigger binge eating or stress eating in some individuals and they also begin to crave foods with high sugar content like desserts. This effect can make you gain a significant amount of weight, more than 30 pounds on average.
What to do if Depakote makes you gain weight?
If Depakote is making you gain weight, there are a few things you can do. These include:
Talk to your doctor
The first thing to do is to talk to your healthcare provider, especially if you are gaining a significant amount of weight on this medication.
Your doctor will determine if it’s safe for you to continue taking this medication or what would be the weight-related consequences if you keep taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest two things:
- Lower the dose of Depakote first and then monitor your weight gain. Immediate-release Depakote tablets can be cut in half for dose reduction.
- Discontinue using Depakote and switch to another medication
Some people may begin to lose weight after stopping Depakote, but the best way to speed up weight loss is to opt for a healthy diet and a good exercise regimen.
Create a calorie deficit
Creating a calorie deficit could be an important key to avoid gaining weight on Depakote as it makes you gain weight by increasing your calorie intake.
If you strongly fight through the urges to eat all kinds of unhealthy foods and replace them with healthier options, you might have a chance to not gain weight on this medication. However, you may suffer from extreme mood changes at first when you won’t be giving in to your cravings.
Keep moving
It is important to exercise a few minutes every day if you’re gaining weight on Depakote. Exercise can help you burn calories and can help elevate your mood by releasing happy chemicals in your brain.
You don’t have to follow a strict workout routine. If you’re a beginner, the internet is packed with beginner-friendly workouts that can help you get started.
Cut back on alcohol
It is quite important to steer clear of alcohol as long as you’re being treated with Depakote. This is because Depakote can induce depression in some people. If you pair it with alcohol, the intensity of this side effect would increase drastically.
Sleep well
Improper sleep can be closely related to weight gain. It is essential for you to sleep at least 7 to 9 hours every night. This time is crucial for your body to repair the worn-out cells, boost your immunity, and increase the fat-burning processes in your body.
When you don’t sleep enough, all of these functions are affected. This is why you should always maintain good sleep hygiene.
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References
1.-
MedlinePlus. Valproic acid [Internet]. Bethesda, MD: U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2022 Mar 15 [updated 2022 Mar 15; cited 2022 Oct 7]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682412.html
2.-
Martin CK, Han H, Anton SD, Greenway FL, Smith SR. Effect of valproic acid on body weight, food intake, physical activity and hormones: results of a randomized controlled trial. J Psychopharmacol. 2009 Sep;23(7):814-25. doi: 10.1177/0269881108091595. Epub 2008 Jun 26. PMID: 18583434; PMCID: PMC2753432. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18583434/
