I don't know about depakote, but I've been taking Lamictal for five years and the only side effect for me is some really annoying constipation. Oh, and pocket book pain, over $200 a month for 300 mg daily, and that's the recent generic. No weight gain -- in fact I've lost 40 lbs (dieting, not a side effect) since starting. That's got more to do with getting depression under control. I think it works very well, but I've never been on another mood stabilizer so nothing to compare it to.