Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Abili...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2018

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I had gone through most standard antidepressants without seeing much benefit, and Abilify was the drug that finally pulled me out of depression...at least initially. I had so much energy on 2mg but the depression came creeping back after about a month. Upped my dose to 4mg and I am now so restless that it’s affecting every facet of my life. I need to constantly be on the move because sitting still for more than a minute makes me feel like I have a mild electric current running through all of my muscles. It works so well for my depression though that I’m currently seeking treatment for the side effect rather than stop the Abilify completely. Not a fun place to be. I’m currently also on Lexapro and Adderall - the Abilify seems to negate any benefits of the Adderall almost completely..."

• Nowabi
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I just started taking 5mg Abilify. After a day of headache and nausea as well as extreme fatigue I am know trying to take it at night to sleep through the worst side effects. Hoping they'll subside after a week or two. But I think I can feel a little change in my mood to the better which would be nice after trying to find something that works for the last year..."

• Taper...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Abilify 2mg added on to my regular SSRI took me out of the nightmare pit I was living in and brought me back to stable. The fatigue with this drug is indescribable; I could sleep 20 hours a day if I didn’t force myself to work. I am finally off if, but I had to taper with a 1ml syringe and use a liquid form. It took me 4 months. If you want to discontinue, please taper very very slowly."

• Cheerio
• September 16, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Several years ago I was prescribed Abilify as an add on to my Paxil 50 mg. Which I've been taking for 24 yrs for Major Depression. It was amazing. I was so happy. I became interested again in things that I used to enjoy. Unfortunately my only bad side effect was that it made me cry for absolutely no reason. I could be talking to someone about anything at all, and the tears would start. I had to stop taking it because nobody wanted to be around me anymore. My doctor has never heard of this happening with Abilify. Lucky me."

• MissX
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 26, 2018

"I am a 26 yo female with MDD, Anxiety and ADHD and had just about given up on any medication working for me. I have tried just about any anti-depressant, mood stabilizer, etc. you can think of without luck. Last December my psychiatrist recommended Abilify (generic) on its own as I did not want to experiment with any more SSRI’s. Abilify changed my life in 1 week. I went from barely being able to get out of bed and function, no energy, and brain fog to the happiest, most energetic human on the planet. My fiancé has had nothing but positive things to say. I have had NO side effects on this medication and it’s been almost a year. It’s a miracle for me. I haven’t felt like this in over a decade since my teens. I am only on 2mg and this dose is super potent for me. I was able to get off of Adderall with this Rx. Don’t give up! The right medication is out there. I am so happy I did not give up on trying to find the right treatment. Thank you god for Abilify!"

• Kaitl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 3, 2018

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have been taking abilify for one to two years now and I don't feel any different. I still have panic attacks I still feel like crying and wanting to stay in bed all day. I feel scared all the time, I still feel depressed 24/7"

• Jacob
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2018

Abilify (aripiprazole) "First started the med my sleep and appetite and energy started improving at 5mg it helped my moods a little bit I thought finally a medicine that works. Side effects were restlessness a little daytime drowsiness. Then increased my dose to 10mg from there my depression got a lot worse I was so restless and my tiredness was very bad I was disoriented. I wasn't driving all I did was lay in bed going crazy"

• Zyra
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2018

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I may have had an adverse reaction, but this drug made my life so bad for a few weeks. I was vomiting about every other hour or so starting the morning after I took it for the first time. Because of its stupidly long half-life, it took me another few days for the vomiting to finally stop."

• lcastle
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2023

"I have had persistent depressive disorder (fka: dysthymia) since I was a teenager. I wasn't diagnosed until I was in my early 30s. I didn't receive any medication until I was 39 when I was put on Zoloft 25mg, then later, Fluoxetine 20mg, gradually increased to 80mg. Both lifesavers. Over time, my symptoms worsened, leaving me in a stalemate of sorts with Fluoxetine. I've tried Bupropion, which didn't help. Long story short, I was just surviving but not really living. I lost interest in virtually everything, constantly procrastinating, just doing the bare minimum, etc. Finally, at 63 going on 64, my VA doc did an add-on of Aripiprazole 2mg (currently taking 40mg Fluoxetine). I started the medication Friday, it's now Sunday, it's as if someone lifted the shades. I stopped ruminating, worrying and got to work on my house, cleaning, organizing. Perhaps it's too soon to tell, but I feel nothing short of re-energized. I pray this medication snaps me out of my years-long rut."

• Steph...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Abilify served me well over a two month period. Of all of the antidepressants that I have taken over the past 20 years, I would give Abilify the highest rating. However, one of its potential side effects can be significantly increased blood glucose levels in some Type 1 diabetics. Unfortunately I was one of these and I was never able to control these levels within an acceptable range and I had to discontinue Abilify as a result. These statements should be taken with caution since I was only able to take the drug for 8 weeks. I noted no other serious side-effects. I do suffer from ED but this is as much a result of 40 years of Type 1 diabetes as of any other factor."

• wired...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "so far so good. after having been on a high dosage of Effexor XR for several years and hoping to ween off of that med I ended up in the hospital with a major depressive breakdown. the hospital psychiatrist prescribed 40mg fluoxetine and after 6 weeks that wasn't touching my disorder. my new psychiatrist had me try Latuda 40mg at first and that med made me feel tense and horrible. now we are trying a low dosage of Abilify along with the 40mg fluoxetine."

• JenJen
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 1, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have had major depressive disorder, anxiety and ocd since I was a kid. On and off meds since 1987. Paxil was the best for me for a decade or more. Went off of it myself to try and get pregnant and had a nervous breakdown. Was hospitalized for severe issues, etc. Had ECT. Scary, but it helped, looking back at the experience. Now, I take liquid generic Zoloft (250 mgs/mls), liquid generic Abilify (3mgs/3mls) and Clonazapam. I feel like the Abilify gives me a boost vs. just being on liquid generic Zoloft. However, I have gained A LOT of weight over the past five or six years - like 60 pounds - used to be slender. I give Abilify a decent rating, except for the weight gain and some sleepiness. And I think liquid vs. pills is better."

• Seymour...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Was prescribed Abilify to help 'boost' my antidepressants. Have been on it for almost two years. Caused me to gain 50 pounds in 3 months and even with exercise and dieting have been unable to lose the weight. Also causes very vivid dreams and at higher doses causes feelings of anxiety and paranoia. I strongly suggest you take a genetic test to make sure this medication will work for you before you take this drug"

• Hannah...
• September 19, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I've had severe, reoccurring MDD for several years, aggravated by an eating disorder, self-harm, chronic insomnia, and compulsive behaviors. I've bounced around the whole SSRI; you name it, tried it. My Wellbutrin/Brintellix combo wasn't sufficient. I was exhausted, napping 2-3 hours midday, eating disorder raging, couldn't get out of bed. No motivation, flatness, etc. I've been taking 1mg Klonopin at 5:30p & bedtime, and 10mg Ambien when I go to sleep for a decade. I did NOT like Abilify. It did nothing to give me more energy or motivation. I gained 20 pounds in one month on the med, with NO SYMPTOMATIC RELIEF. Stopped after 6 wks, and have only lost 10lbs in the 6 mo, even with exercise & meal plan. Risperidol was no better. Crap drug!"

• Spring...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have been on various antidepressants for over 25 yrs. When I quit working, drinking and smoking, buried memories of my father's abuse rose up and almost killed me. Over the next 5 years I was hospitalized 5 times for a total of almost a year in Homewood in Guelph. (Every time I was admitted they built me up, but back at home I would deteriorate. Homewood saved my life). Life for me was much better after my husband retired 11 yrs ago (yes I am a senior). We bought a trailer in Florida and spend 6 months there every winter. However, every year during the 6 months in Ontario I would slowly go down hill until I did practically nothing, slept for a big part of the day, but always managed to hide my depression from my daughters and sister"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "First 2 weeks I felt great taking 2mg a day. Third week, this week, my intrusive, negative thoughts, anxiety and panic disorders are back with a vengeance. Hoping to get better regulation of my emotions soon!"

• Xoxox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Update on my previous post: I have seen multiple doctors and my skin has turned blue in some places, they say it is a side effect of the medication. Do not let them tell you it is a rash. It is not and Benadryl does not help. You are not crazy, yes your skin is changing colors in random spots."

• Allison
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2021

"This drug has changed my life. I started with 300 mg Wellbutrin and after a couple of months felt the dark clouds begin to appear again. My doctor prescribed aripiprazole. I read reviews and was terrified to try it, fearful that I would become a zombie and have uncontrollable weight gain. I started the medicine and felt strange the first day or two so stopped and swore I could handle this on my own. The sadness and pain returned and I knew I had should trust my doctor and the treatment. I’ve been on the medication for two months now and can honestly say it’s changed my life. I feel like myself, clear headed and positive. I haven’t had any weight gain and actually am the fittest I’ve ever been. Of course I attribute that to exercise and eating well. Yes, some may have negative experiences with this drug, but if you’re on the fence like I was, it’s absolutely worth it."

• Brent...
• July 30, 2016

"This drug is an absolute life saver for me. Things are so good for me right now. I've been on it for about 2 weeks now at 5mg at bedtime along with 50mg of Amitriptyline and 150mg of Sertraline. The first week was kind of rough because it made me gag easily and i was constantly nauseated. I felt really weak and tired. this is the end of the 2nd week and the side effects have subsided for the most part. I have regained my sex drive, i can feel emotions again. I recently bought a house with my fiance and when we heard the news of our clear to close, i actually cried from happiness (mind you, thats NEVER happened to me before.) If you feel like the side effects are unbearable, stick it out. they seem like the go away."

• Miche...
• July 25, 2017

"So this is my first review that I have ever written about a medication and I wanted to share my experience. I am currently taking Effexor XR 75 mg with the add-on 5mg of generic Abilify. I started my add-on treatment on July 19th after letting the prescription sit for a while. What a difference has made for me already! I actually feel like getting out of the bed now and coming to work! I suddenly lost my father and felt like my whole life fell apart. I got hooked on Klonopin and Xanax to numb the pain and knew something had to change. After 3 years of struggling and juggling different antidepressants, I think I have FINALLY found the right combination. While this medication may not work for everyone, it has definitely helped me!"

• Help4...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 2, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have been on Willburtrin Hcl for years and it stopped working so I was put on Prozac w/Willburtrin Hcl. That combo didn't seem to work. So now I am trying Prozac, Willburtrin Hcl and Abilify. I hope something works. Let you know in a month."

• Heath...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I wish I could tout the glorious benefits of this medication, but I can't. I has made me super tense. As someone struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder - That is totally unacceptable. I was already uptight and too intense! I also feel as though my focus is dull and aggravated. I have zilch interest as far as my mind goes. It has now been at least 9 hours and I am STILL struggling. If you are someone who has to endure tension and stress on a daily basis, I don't think this medication is for you. Hopefully this will wear off soon. I hope so."

• Carrie
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 10, 2021

"I took aripriprazole (2.5 mg) with duloxetine (Cymbalta) for over a year and things were going very well. I was super-efficient with time and work, got up every day at 6:30am, asleep every night by 10:30, and felt generally content. I was concerned about the fact that I'd gained about 10 pounds though and my personality had gone kind of flat, so my doctor agreed to take me off the aripriprazole to see how things went with just the duloxetine. Big mistake. I got depressed again, so my doc added Rexulti. But my insurance wouldn't pay for it and I was denied financial assistance from the manufacturer. So, we agreed to start the aripriprazole again, since now I'm doing a diet to lose the weight I'd gained. I already feel so much better again. The first day back on it, I popped up out of bed at 6:30 and I already started noticing myself being more efficient with time planning again. Such a relief. This medication doesn't work for everyone, but give it a chance. It could be your saving grace."

• Cari
• May 29, 2017

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Been taking 5mg a day for 2 months in addition to Celexa for MDD. Don't feel much benefit,-- maybe a slightly more stable mood , but my blood pressure has dropped too much. I'm now starting a taper to see if it helps any better at 2.5 mg."

• Parth...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2020

"aripiprazole Was used as treatment for Major Depressive Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD Inattentive Subtype. Took it for 6 days in the morning. The drug induced a strong sense of sedation, mild anxiety/restlessness and nausea. Moreover I felt the urge to go to sleep every hour or so. In summary the effects of the drug didn't suit my problems very much as it made me unnecessarily more tired during the day. The constant restlessness increased thoughts of suicide for me. Wouldn't recommend unless you have the conditions aripiprazole is usually used for."