Mary, my husband was never on this particular drug but on one of the other drugs they gave him I was questioning the side effects so we talked to the neurologists NP and she had us take him off for a month, which we did, but when he went back on the drug we gave him just one a day instead of two and that has worked great. You almost need to try it out and see what happens then go from there but listen to your instincts also. Blessings ✝️

My husband has been on this med since March. It has made a big difference in his overall mood swings. Still gets down but the sudden rage episodes are almost non existent.

It had no side effects on my hubby nor did it make a difference so we got him off. Adavan seemed to calm him down best.

Thank you all for your responses. The Dr. has now changed the "quieting down med" to Seroquel. Only been on it for 2 weeks. Some good days, some bad days, but the bad days are better than they had been and the good days are VERY calm. Will keep at it. Time will tell.

20220621 Greetings MaryIrvingJurgaitis! I am Steven D. Egan. I am a retired US Army veteran of 20 years service and also retired from the Civil Service Corps of the US Army with 21 1/2 years service. When I officially retired when I hit 65 years of age. Now I draw Social Security and several stipends including VA Disability.
I am writing regarding your husband just being prescribed The Generic of Depakote. First, I would suggest that if he is a veteran of the military and is currently getting medical and pharmacy care with the Veterans Administration that you call them and discuss the situation. Ask them if they have another form of that medicine. Often, they carry generic medicines they use instead of what the other medical facility carries. It is also a good idea to have a copy of his military identification card with you at all times.
I was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's in the summer of 2021. I have several morning and evening medications that I have been prescribed. I have had zero issues with these medications. My only problem was a period of a week that I was having Bedtime Hallucination around Christmas 2020, The doctor told us to purchase a 15 pound Padded Blanket. That cost us about $45. But was well worth the cost. After the first night sleeping under the blanket the hallucinations disappeared all together!
My wife is my Caretaker! She is 70 and I will turn 66 tomorrow!. A for my activities, I have been elected as the Veterans of Foreign Wars District Senior Vice Commander for 4th District here in Kentucky. Until May 2023 I will be rather busy assisting the District Commander run this District.
Feel free to contact me should you feel a need to. I am on here almost daily. I check all my email traffic using AOL.COL. If I have traffic from MyAlzheimers then I go there and check what I have. So don't hesitate should you feel a need to do so.
Steven D. Egan
US Army, Retired