Will you lose weight after stopping 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
Will you lose weight after stopping Depakote?
You may lose weight after stopping Depakote, especially if the drug made you gain a lot of weight. Depakote is associated with weight gain in around 20-50% of its users and people can gain up to 60 lbs on this medication, which is a lot of weight. (1)
Such people may begin to lose this weight after stopping Depakote, but they may not lose every extra pound. You may still need to put in some additional effort like a healthy diet or exercise to lose all of the weight that you gained on Depakote (2).
If you’re concerned about your body weight, talk to your healthcare provider.
The potential connection between Depakote and weight gain
Research suggests that Depakote may be associated with weight gain as a potential side effect. The exact mechanism behind this is not fully understood, but several factors are believed to contribute to weight gain (1).
One possible reason is that Depakote can increase appetite and cravings for high-calorie foods, leading to overeating. It may also affect the body’s metabolism, leading to a decrease in the rate at which calories are burned (3).
The incidence of weight gain as a side effect of Depakote can vary among individuals. Studies have reported that approximately 25-50% of individuals taking Depakote may experience weight gain.
However, it’s important to note that not everyone will experience this side effect, and the extent of weight gain can vary from mild to significant. It’s essential for individuals taking Depakote to monitor their weight regularly and discuss any concerns with their healthcare provider.
How to safely lose weight after stopping Depakote?
If you’re looking to safely lose weight after stopping Depakote, there are several things you can do. It’s important to note that weight loss should be approached in a gradual and healthy manner. Here are some tips to help you on your weight loss journey: (4)
- Focus on a balanced and nutritious diet: Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats in your meals. Avoid processed foods, sugary snacks, and high-calorie drinks.
- Portion control: Pay attention to your portion sizes and try to eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day. This can help regulate your calorie intake and prevent overeating.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Sometimes we mistake thirst for hunger, so staying hydrated can help curb unnecessary snacking.
- Be physically active: Incorporate regular exercise into your routine. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Find activities you enjoy, such as walking, jogging, swimming, or dancing.
- Seek support: Consider joining a weight loss support group or working with a healthcare professional who can provide guidance and support on your weight loss journey.
- Monitor progress: Keep track of your progress by recording your food intake, physical activity, and weight. This can help you stay accountable and make necessary adjustments to your approach if needed.
Final words
To sum up, you may or may not lose weight after stopping Depakote if the medication made you gain weight. Depakote is typically associated with weight gain, which could be more significant in some people as compared to others.
If you’re concerned about Depakote-induced weight gain and wish to stop using this medication, please talk to your healthcare provider. Depakote should not be discontinued abruptly and should be properly stopped if necessary.
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References
1.-
Rahman M, Nguyen H. Valproic Acid. 2022 Jul 4. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan–. PMID: 32644538. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559112
2.-
Volek JS, Vanheest JL, Forsythe CE. Diet and exercise for weight loss: a review of current issues. Sports Med. 2005;35(1):1-9. doi: 10.2165/00007256-200535010-00001. PMID: 15651909. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15651909/
3.-
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. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18583434/
4.-
Ramage S, Farmer A, Eccles KA, McCargar L. Healthy strategies for successful weight loss and weight maintenance: a systematic review. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2014 Jan;39(1):1-20. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2013-0026. Epub 2013 Nov 4. PMID: 24383502. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24383502/
