Didn’t know where to post this, as it does pertain to testosterone.
I am currently taking an anti-epileptic drug called Depakote and was wondering if anyone here knew anything about its effects on Testosterone.
I have used google and found some people saying it increases test while others say it decreases. I ask because I have always been in the lower range (400s) and do not want to take drugs that will further lower my testosterone. Apparently it causes elevated androgens in females as well as poly-cystic ovarian syndrome, but I can not find what it does to men. Some say it increases total test while decreasing free test. Other articles say it decreases testicular volume and causes abnormal semen.
As a pharmacy student, I love these sorts of questions. I couldn’t find any decent studies. There is a study that showed that epileptic girls had higher insulin levels after a year of taking VPA if they gained weight. If they didn’t gain weight, their insulin levels weren’t effect. The rest of the hormones, including testosterone, weren’t affected. My guess is it shouldn’t have a significant effect.
Thank you! I have not gained a single pound on it(I’m a skinny bastard) so I doubt insulin is something I should worry about. My main concern was testosterone. I plan to get bloods done the next time I see my doc but that will only show what 3 months on it has done. I am questioning the effects of long term exposure.
I took Depakote from about age 19 up to maybe 24 for “absence auras” which I had actually experienced from a young age. I also drank heavily during that period. I think that I had some type of ADD (I tested high on standardized tests, but my raw reading speed was less than half of average from third grade through college years). The absence auras disappeared around age 24. My reading speed also tripled. And it wasn’t as if I was having absences while reading, I would have one every couple of days for maybe 30 seconds and I did not lose any control, just the ability to verbalize.
Anyway, I was on about 7 a day and I can’t tell for sure, maybe I had depression which lead me to drink, and depression could be from low T, or even high T (with fluctuations). I worked out and I wasn’t skinny, and I gained muscle during that period. I don’t feel that I was any different on the medication as off the medication, but around the time I stopped taking it, I also seemed to become more emotionally consistent and less withdrawn. I did not have serious epileptic problems-no safety issue and no physical brain anomalies. I would not take it unless you epilepsy is dangerous. Also based on recommendations, I should have killed my liver between Depakote and alcohol, but my liver is fine, (I don’t drink at all now though).
Can’t say for sure, but I would say that I stopped taking Depakote at the worst point for me emotionally around age 24, and my life improved from that point on, though I only gradually gave up alcohol over the next 6 years after that. Sorry, a lot of info. I don’t think it raised or lowered Test, but maybe it caused more extreme cycles than normal of higher or lower test as I had bigger ups and downs.
Depkaofe side effects include depressiin. I felt that too at first. It is well documented that it affects womens hor.ones so im curious what it does to men.
BLOWER. I found it. I knew I was feeling a bit off sexually and now I know why. I always try and research what I put into my body but I missed this one I guess. Fuck depakote I’d rather have a seizure.
I was on Depakote for about 8 years for severe migraines. I was taking 500mgs 2x daily.
I am no longer taking it. Of course the side effects affect each person differently, but here is my experience and also what I have learned from doctors and others.
It’s an older drug, and it made me tired and fatigued. It also has cognitive side effects that can vary. But it did work for me, that’s why I stuck with it. It also makes to gain weight, and many feel (doctors included), that it messes with your metabolism. For instance, many strictly monitor their diet (like the people with seizures on the keto diet), and they found they lost weight when they got off Depakote despite keeping their diet the same. I think there is a link with the tiredness.
I would look for the newer drugs. There has been a ton a anti-seizure drugs since 2005 or so. Try Lamictal or Zonegram from what I have learned (many drugs for migraines are also used for seizures). BUT stay away from Topamax!
I don’t know about it affecting libido. Mine was always fairly strong (thankfully). I do know that it increase estrogen (I saw that in my blood work).
RE: Testosterone. I DEFINITYLY think it messes with it. In fact, I’m on TRT. I’m in my 30s, but my test levels dropped to 200!!!
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have more questions. To sum it up, it works, but try other drugs. Only use this as a last resort.