Abilify for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• queen...
• October 24, 2013

"I was diagnosed as bipolar type II and my nurse practitioner in WA prescribed me abilify and I gained 30lb within a month of taking it. I blew up like a balloon and he said he doesn't have that side effect. I looked online and it says that it clearly does. He said to take it a few more weeks and see how I did. I gained ten more pounds and my mother insisted I stop taking it. I went from 148 to 188lb. It may have started helped with my symptoms but I was to concerned about my weight gain so he finally put me on Topamax."

• MakaM...
• February 5, 2016

"This drug is horrendous. I spent a week in a psychiatric ward the year I was twenty, and they titrated it up to ten milligrams by the time I was let out. I was a complete zombie, exhausted all the time - could fall asleep anywhere, any time of the day - so anxious that I had to keep moving my body to function. Kept crossing and uncrossing my legs, wringing my hands, etc. I was so numbed out I simply didn't enjoy life. I don't know how I managed to not kill myself. This thing will wreck you."

• Anonymous
• November 8, 2012

"I was prescribed Abilify 15mg in addition to Depakote 1g daily for bipolar affective disorder and my mood was stabilised but it wad constantly low and on the edge. I was heavily sedated that I slept 15 hours a day and when I was awake I didn't feel 'completely there', and I also had blurred vision. I was taken off the Abilify and put onto Quetiapine and was more alert and my vision improved, so in my case Abilify really didn't suit me."

• Cathy
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 11, 2012

"I've been on Abilify for nearly 2 years. The first month or so was rough (tired early at night or after a cocktail, restless sleep, waking up early, dizziness, foggy head), but after my Dr. reduced my dose to 2.5 mg/day, side effects improved. The ones that remain are profuse night sweats (SOAKED sheets) and constipation. It does make you a bit tired, but I take it before bed. It completely helped with my irritation/agitation towards people and my children. I have a ton more patience and less anxiety overall. The biggest issue I have is the cost. Get the Abilify Savings card if you are starting a new prescription!"

• TJano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2018

"It did not stabilize my moods. I’m still all over the place, and the fact that I can’t sit still get really under my nerves. I’m super paranoid on this. I feel 10x worse than I did before. It messed me up completely. Side Effects: Severe akathisia, High anxiety, Paranoia, Delusions, Mania, Depression, Suicidal Ideation. I only took this for 2 weeks at a low dose of 5mg and I'M DONE."

• Jengar
• January 31, 2018

"I've suffered from Bipolar 2 and GAD and ADD for 15 yrs now. I take Lamictal, Effexor XR, Abilify and Adderall. Not until I started Abilify 3 weeks ago have I had any improvement with energy levels and depression. I have treatment resistant depression and my anxiety causes me to not be able to work and I barely want to leave the house. But since starting Abilify, I feel almost fantastic. I wake up early ready to start my day. And I've never been a morning person. I'm more positive about my life and I am even thinking about getting a job. I haven't worked in 6 years. But I do have problems staying asleep . I mean, its 3:06am and I am wide awake writing this. So yeah, restless sleep. And the sexual side effects aren't good. Total lack of interest which is difficult when you're in a relationship. But I'm not willing to stop this medication.The good far outweighs the bad in so so many ways. Good luck to all and give this med a try"

• AliPa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2014

"This medicine did not work for me. I suffer from Bipolar with mood swings and panic disorder. I went up to 10mg and It seemed to help my mood but it pushed my anxiety off the charts. I was a shaky mess while taking it and also unable to focus and complete tasks. Went off within 4 weeks."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2021

"This med wasn’t good for me. It made my anxiety really bad, to the point where I couldn’t even leave my house. I became lightheaded and dizzy and wound up in the hospital because of it. I am currently on zyprexa to fix what the abilify has done to me. This was my experience which may not be the experience you have. Good luck."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2008

"I have been taking Abilify for a week. It has already taken the edge off the rages. However, am still experiencing high anxiety. My family says I am calmer so that is deinitely a plus. I feel tired and wired at the same time - it is a weird feeling. I am very paranoid. I was paranoid before but this seems to have made it worse. But I am only on 2 mg's. At least the rages are better. I am hopeful that this medication along with help from my doctor will be enough to get my life back."

• Keddey
• November 18, 2009

"It did wonders for my mood, HOWEVER I was NOT told of the risks involved. And the positive did NOT outweigh the negative in this case. After only a month, I developed Atrodystrphy and my legs hurt badly. I can't sit still, I pace, I cry, ...anything to get the pain to stop. My pysch said it was from the Abilify. I'm now on Geodon and praying this isn't permanent. PLEASE be informed before taking this medication!"

• Candy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2019

"A psychiatrist of very questionable competence added Abilify to my antidepressant so that I would have to come back more often for visits (my antidepressant was working fine). The six weeks that I was on Abilify, I could not sit still in a chair for even five minutes. All I would do is pace. I have never been classified as bipolar by anyone but this doctor (major depression - yes) and I lived a nightmare while taking Abilify. I don't wish this on anyone. If a doctor suggests that you take this drug, please ask a lot of questions and do some research on your own."

• Lucy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2021

"I have always been against taking medication, although I have epilepsy and have to. I was very weary of starting this one, or any other mood stabilizer. Now that I have been taking it for two weeks, I'm so glad I did. It was like walking out of a dark room and back into the light of day. I use to just go about my daily activities with dread. Now I am excited to be a part of society again. I have gotten back in contact with old friends don't experience hardly any social anxiety and have so much energy. Thank you abilify"

• Boogie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2021

"I was just released from an acute inpatient hospital for severe suicidal ideation and burning myself. They put me on Abilify 2mg. It’s been a week and I already feel a positive difference. I am diagnosed with Bipolar type 2 with borderline traits, PTSD, and autism. This medication has seemingly taken away my severe anger and irritation, my previously constantly running thoughts, and has given me the drive and energy to function. I just finished organizing and cleaning out my car that had things in it from 8 months ago. It’s 3 pm and I don’t feel like sleeping for 6 hours then sleeping all night again until 12 pm the next day. I went out to eat with a friend and felt zero annoyance. I’ve showered, shaved, and cleaned my room today too. My thoughts feel clearer and feel FOCUSED. Zero side effects. I wish I had tried this medication sooner."

• Anonymous
• March 10, 2012

"I've just finished my first week on Abilify, and although I've been told that the med is ready to do its job from the 2nd or 3rd day you take it, I don't think my brain chemistry has settled down to one reaction. Right now, I'm pleased. I have Bipolar Type 2, and Abilify was prescribed to help with my constant depression. Now I am going back and forth between a little anxious and mildly manic, sometimes in one day. This is a huge improvement. I have energy! I can smile! Hope this is permanent"

• bigger...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 1, 2014

"I like Abilify a lot because I used to be extremely irritable. I also couldn't ride my bicycle when I was manic because I would not focus on my safety. Luckily, I now only get hypomanic episodes thanks to Abilify. I feel like I am free to get off of my emotional roller coaster and explore the world outside. The only few problems it gave me were akasthesia and weight gain. I'm 14 years old, and I don't know whether I gained 40 lbs from growing, the medicine, or both."

• Chris...
• May 4, 2016

"I take Abilify 2mg along with Wellbutrin 300mg as well and feel so much better. No side affects at all. I was on Risperidone which was AWFUL! I think this medication must work differently when taken with Wellbutrin because I noticed a big difference for the better!"

• Just...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 19, 2014

"Abilify worked pretty good for five years with Prozac. But then I became morbidly obese, with elevated bad lipids and prediabetes. Also, I was constantly in fear of tardive dyskinesia. I no longer take it."

• Anonymous
• January 8, 2009

"I have been on Abilify for a month now at 15mg. It works great I can control myself now. No more rages or trouble. My family is glad this pill works for me. I have been on 6 other medicines and they didn't work. Thank God for Abilify."

• Bipol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 21, 2018

"I am a 42 year old woman and diagnosed with Bipolar and ADHD. I highly recommend this medication. I was at 10mg and it rescued me from a manic episode that was so bad that I was psychotic. It not only cleared that right up, but it improved my concentration. I did suffer from minor akethesia. I was able to control it without a problem. However, three years later, I have gained a lot of weight. I am now taking 5mg and monitoring with my doc. After a month, the weight is coming off, but I am now hypomanic...a beautiful yet scary place to be. Where to go from here, I’m not sure."

• grays...
• July 29, 2014

"I took Abilify for one month. I had restlessness, a feeling that I needed to do something. It was a good thing in a way. At first I was more irritable but that subsided substantially after a few days. It made me feel a lot more calmer and in control of my emotions without making me feel like I was suppressing them. This is the first pharmaceutical medicine I have tried to treat my condition and it definitely worked better than the natural remedies such as St John's Wort, same, and passion flower. It even helped more than meditation. I have just switched to Latuda because Abilify gave me chest pains. If the pain was anywhere else I would of definitely stayed on the medicine because it worked. It helped me gain 10 lb which is good for me."

• Miss...
• November 13, 2010

"I have tried just about every Bipolar Medicine there is out there and then some. I am completely satisfied with this medicine. All of the others had terrible side effects. Neurontin, Zyprexa, Lithium, Tegretol, you name it I've tried it. It is very hard to get someone who is bipolar to take medicines due to the fact there are so many side effects. In my opinion Abilify does what is says it supposed to do with no side effects. Of course everyone is different. This medicine works. It keeps me from going high or low. Most bipolar patients should probably be on an antidepressant, which is only my opinion since everyone is unique."

• shorty
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2012

"Loving it so far, seems to be giving me a life. I am a single mom who struggles with bipolar polar everyday and has been on almost everything and combo of things out there with no success. The only problems I've noticed so far are nausea, dizziness, and being extremely tired throughout the day. I have only been on the medicine for a short period of time so I'm hoping these side effects will start to go away but compared to what I normally deal with, they are nothing. The big issue is I do not have insurance so my doctor is currently giving me samples. I'm trying to qualify for the financial assistance program but if I don't I won't be able to take the medication."

• Noeks...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2017

"I'm not an easy patient, unsatisfied with the weight gain from the typical atypicals, lacking an 'oomph' from lithium, allergic to lamotrgine and anti-depressants give me a one way ticket to the manic rollercoaster. I started Abilify and within 3 days I was hypermanic and nauseous to boot. No sleep, spending $400 on some bed sheets seemed like a marvellous idea, thrill seeking etc and throwing up every 3 hours. However my psychiatrist guided me through it with sleep meds and something to settle the stomach and I'm so glad I pushed through. Yeah, the restlessness is an issue but I'd like to consider myself an 'experience and going out' person now. Anything better than the listlessness of depression or meds that are supposed to cure it."

• Birda...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2016

"Started taking abilify and I noticed my mood became nothingness. I didn't feel happy nor sad. I just felt nothing. Has anyone experienced the same things? Prior to the feelings of nothingness, the night before (after a took it), I started becoming manic then about an hour later, I started becoming suicidal. Took Benadryl and became calm and sleepy. My manic and depression episodes were usually on a day-to-day basis whereas when I took abilify, it shifted within an hour or so. Also, the side effects were so bad I couldn't get out of bed. Felt very dizzy with headache, wanted to puke, heart rate was faster than usual, loss of appetite, and weak (very weak)."

• asklady
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2017

"I give Abilify the highest rating. I'm a 42 year old female with PTSD, Bipolar Depression, ADHD. I have tried every anti-depressant out there, from Amoxapine to Zyprexa, in which I experienced some extremely negative side effects from. So, needless to say, I am rather reluctant when having to start taking a medication that I've never tried before. (I've been taking 60mg of Prozac (fluoxetine) daily for the past several years). As of late, I've been experiencing increased symptoms in my bipolar depression. My doctor prescribed Abilify 5mg about 2 months ago. I have noticed such a positive change in myself. After only about 5-7 days of taking Abilify did I start to notice a change in my mood, attitude, outlook on life. It's been great!"