I was on depakote for ever and loved it except for the tiredness, weight gain, and liver dangers. Now, I would never go back! My shrink switched me to a newer version of this stablizer called Trileptal and promised no trauma or mania while switching! I was skeptical as hell but I did it anyway...(mainly because I was turning 21 and wanted to be able to drink with my friends and not have to worry about killing my liver.) It works just as well if not better! Ask your Doc about this!! trust me, at the least: no more blood drawls is Great!