Depression is not a side effect of Valproic acid. If depression was side effect of Valproic acid you would develop depression soon after you started taking Valproic acid. So, it doesn’t seem likely to me that change of the antiepileptic drug will help to overcome the depression. Any change of the antiepileptic drug must be approved by a neurologist.
Your panic attacks are probably part of some larger depressive disorder. Duloxetine belongs to the group of selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors which are new generation of antidepressants. It needs a several weeks to take effect.
You can consult some psychiatrist about your depression.
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