Compare Depakote vs. Abilify
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats and prevents seizures, and stabilizes mood.
Depakote (divalproex) is good for long-term prevention of seizures, manic episodes in bipolar disorder, and migraines.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 97 reviewsforDepakote
Helps control your thoughts and mood.
Abilify (aripiprazole) is good for treating psychosis and mania, and can help with depression. It's less likely to cause side effects than other antipsychotics.
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3.2/ 5 average rating with 252 reviewsforAbilify
Upsides
- Lowers the frequency of seizures, especially for people with absence seizures or complex partial seizures.
- Depakote (divalproex) is a first-line treatment to stabilize mood for people with bipolar disorder.
- Depakote (divalproex) is helpful for preventing frequent migraines.
- The sprinkle pill can be swallowed whole or can be opened up and mixed with applesauce if you have a hard time swallowing.
- Depakote (divalproex) is available as a generic.
- Effective at relieving psychotic symptoms and manic episodes.
- More energizing than other antipsychotics.
- Fewer side effects than other antipsychotics.
- Studies show that it can also be helpful for depression, especially in women, if your symptoms don't go away with an antidepressant alone.
- Available as a generic, which is cheaper.
Downsides
- It can take 3 to 4 weeks before you feel the full effects of Depakote (divalproex).
- Depakote (divalproex) is not a good medication for people with liver problems.
- Requires regular blood tests to see how the medication is affecting your body.
- Depakote (divalproex) can make you bleed more easily.
- Mild risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), a movement disorder that includes stiffness, tremor, restlessness, and slow, repetitive, or involuntary movements.
- You might need routine blood tests to check how the medicine is affecting your body.
- All antipsychotics come with side effects that make them difficult to take. You might need to try a few different medicines until you find the one that works for you and that you can tolerate.
Used for
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar I disorder
- Depression
- Autistic disorder irritability
- Tourette syndrome
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release pill
- Delayed release pill
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
- Injection
Price
Lowest price
$14.20
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$2830.83
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Reviews
97 reviews so far
46%
saidit'sworth it
40%
saiditworked well
27%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Depakote (divalproex)?
Leave a review252 reviews so far
44%
saidit'sworth it
40%
saiditworked well
34%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Abilify (aripiprazole)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
9possible side effects
- Nausea22%
- Sleepiness19%
- Dizziness12%
- Vomiting12%
- Accidental injury11%
- Feeling weak10%
- Abdominal pain9%
- Upset stomach9%
- Rash6%
4possible side effects
- Restlessness13%
- Sedation8%
- Tremor6%
- Difficulty controlling movements5%
Risks and risk factors
- Harm to fetus
- Liver damage
- Children under age 2
- History of metabolic disorders
- Severe seizure disorder
- Brain disease
- History of liver problems
- Pancreas problems
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- History of depression
- Increased bleeding
- Mental changes
- History of metabolic disorders
- People also taking Topamax
- Increased risk of death
- Elderly patients with dementia
- Suicidal thoughts or behavior
- Age 24 years or younger
- Use of antidepressant medications
- Shaking and restlessness
- Increased blood sugar and cholesterol, and weight gain
- People with diabetes
- People with high cholesterol
- Driving impairment
- Alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Low blood pressure