I was on it for a year-- I was on 1200 mg. The initial side effects were tolerable-- dull headache, some stomach upset. However, as my dose went up, I would have weird side effects that would start about 20 minutes after taking the drug and last for about 30 minutes-- I would feel totally stoned, when I moved my head it seemed like everything was moving along with me, and my tongue would feel a little numb. However, it was tolerable because it was temporary.

This drug did not help me at all. It is not a 1st line treatment for bipolar and is normally used in conjunction with another mood stabilizer. The only reason I was on it was because it was my first mood stabilizer and I was scared to try anything that would give me crazy side effects.