User Reviews for Asenapine

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: Been on Saphris for about two months. Taste is bad but the benefits of medicine far outway that. Only side effect is slight numbness in mouth after taking pill but that goes away after about 30 minutes. No other side effects. Racing thoughts, shadows, voices, have now disappeared. First time that has happened in years. Have been able to decrease dosages of other medicines and wean off some all together. So far it has been a miracle drug for me. Feel better now than I ever have.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: I have been severely depressed for six years after coming off my medications in May 2006, due to a bad manic episode. I have tried so many medicines, even the ones that worked before. Nothing could get me out of the dark hole I was in. I went to my Doctor and told him I wanted to try ECT therapy because I was suicidal. He set it up, but asked me to try a new medicine (Saphris) in the mean time. I was willing to try anything. He placed me on 5mg at night, and told me it would probably allow me to eliminate the Ambien for sleep problems. Man, did it. My wife noticed a difference in my mood the next day. I have been on it now for two weeks, and cross my fingers I have not felt this good for twelve years.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: I have been on many Bipolar medicines, Lamictal, Seroquel, Geodon, lithium, also Xanax to help me sleep. I have been on Saphris for one week and started feeling better the next day. I will admit it tastes terrible, but my doctor told me the trick is to take a sweet tart with it, and it isn't so bad. Works for me. My dosage has gone from 5mg to 10 mg, but I'm getting the best sleep I've ever had except for some strange dreams, but I cant complain. The benefits outweigh the taste and dreams any day. I highly recommend this medicine (and a sweet tart!).

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: I have been on a truck-load of different medicines to treat Bipolar, Lamictal, Depakote, Lithium, Seroquel, Symbyax, Abilify...just to name a few. Started taking this 10mg/before bed, last week. This does taste horrible, but doesn't cause nausea and vomiting and I'm real sensitive to taste. It makes my tongue go numb for about 30 minutes and during that time I get the munchies really bad. While I'm trying not to eat the house down my mood elevates. I've been getting to sleep a lot easier and staying asleep better. As a whole, I'm feeling better than I have in a long time. Really hoping this medicine works on the long-term for me as I'm tired of trying different ones.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: It is like a light switch has been turned on. I finally feel "normal" for the first time in many years.

Saphris (asenapine) for Schizoaffective Disorder: Wow - this is interesting. First I was scared to try another anti-psychotic as I typically get akathisia, but for some reason I have not had issues with it this time around (so far). I have to say that Saphris works wonders on negative symptoms that most medicines would not really touch. I find myself actually wanting to go outside, and be around people and just do things in general - my lack of desire has just gone. This makes me so much more happier. I just didn't think it was possible, and that I was just stuck the way I was. It tastes nasty though and it numbs your tongue for 15-20 minutes. Also it puts me to sleep. But other than that I have to say the pros definitely do outweigh the cons. I just wish it would come in pill form!

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: Dissolves very quickly compared to other sub-lingual tablets that I have taken - tastes horrible though! I have experienced no negative side effects, and it has definitely elevated my mood and taken away the "shadows" and some of the "noises" that accompany my diagnosis....overall seems to be much better than the last two meds I was prescribed (Lamictal and Abilify). I give it a ten!

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: Taking 5 mgs AM & PM. Absolutely no side effects so far. Dosage is sublingual and the pill tastes horrible. Feel definite lift in spirits. Hasn't done much for the obsessions though.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: I started 5mg Saphris 12 days ago and it's UNBELIEVABLE! 20 years ago (on my birthday) I was diagnosed with bipolar that worsened to include severe, treatment- resistant depression. I have done and seen it all - buckets of drugs, ECT and an experimental VNS implant. Mentally, nothing I've tried can touch this stuff! I have also experienced almost every severe physical side effect, and my ADHD-type behavior, noises and shadows are worse (hard to imagine) but I don't think I'll call my doctor on a Sunday. He just gave me 10 of the best days in memory (which is also returning). Will I give piano concerts again? Maybe - if I can play backwards, but I feel so good I could just stand in the corner for the rest of my life.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: Saphris does not taste good; it leaves my tongue slightly numb. I've experienced no side effects so far in the 2 weeks I've been on it. I have experienced relief from symptoms from disorders.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: I have Bipolar with depression, mood swings, panic attacks, racing thoughts, voices and suicidal tendencies thrown in with seizures. On top of all that I cannot sleep. I've tried just about all the medication out there for Bipolar but after a time they stop working. Saphris 10 MG, has worked miracles for me. All those symptoms are now gone with this fast acting pill. You can stop a panic attack within a minute or two. The down side is weight gain, it is a very bad side effect. Recently I had two packages that I had to take to the pharmacy because they just would not open. They had to break the finger tab and unlock the clip beneath it. Bad design but otherwise very happy with this medicine.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: I've been Bi polar for over 20 years and have tried practically every mood stabilizer and antidepressant there is and some would work for awhile then poop out. Saphris is like a miracle medicine. I don't feel depressed, I have more energy and motivation and my moods are stable. I take one 10 mg tab at bedtime and wake up the next morning feeling alive and ready for the day. I would encourage anyone who is suffering from bipolar depression and mood swings to give this medicine a try. You won't be disappointed. One caveat though is without insurance it is very expensive.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: I was weary about taking Saphris, but it immediately helped with feelings of anxiety and depression. I feel more confident now and my thinking is less muddled.

Saphris (asenapine) for Schizoaffective Disorder: This medicine has good and bad points with me so far. I agree with the others--it makes my tongue go numb for a while and tastes horrid. The only side effect I experience (and I usually get the weird ones) is a slightly alarming drop in blood pressure. I just follow instructions and sit and stand very slowly and carefully. So far at 10mg 2 x day, it is doing a great job of controlling both mood swings and hallucinations.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: Works great for sleep and controls mania well, but caused my depression to increase. This was after being on the medication for several months (10mg/night). Didn't particularly like the next-day hangover either. I've recently been switched over to Lithium but it's too early to tell how it's working. I took one Saphris tablet last night per doctor's request, after being off it for some time (as a sleep aid) but felt hung over and a bit depressed most of the day.

Saphris (asenapine) for Schizoaffective Disorder: The medicine tastes bitter. It causes temporary numbness in my tongue. I take the 10mg sublingual form twice a day. I am careful to space it 12 hours apart because it drops my blood pressure taken too close together. Other medicines that cause sedation make me much more sleepy than they did before. Sometimes I feel restlessness or muscle stiffness. My moods are much more even than they were before. The audio or visual hallucination I was having are almost completely gone. I am responding to this medication a lot more than any of the others ( I have tried almost everything). Putting up with the side effects is definitely worth the good effects of the medication I am having!

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: Saphris seems to really calm my manic symptoms. Especially the racing thoughts and restlessness. My doctor gave samples of the new Black Cherry Saphris and the taste is 1000 times better! It's almost pleasant tasting. And to top it all, I've only gained 3 pounds the 6 months I've been on it.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: I've been on Saphris for a week now. 5mg/night. Here are my initial thoughts: I feel like it’s summer. It’s a good calmness. The mouth numbing was really bad at first when I took it, slowly getting less each day (it’s always gone by morning). I felt the first couple days like I had taken a Sudafed; very awake the next morning. That effect is also wearing off day by day. I have been taking it at bed so I ‘m not sure if it makes me dizzy still. I can think clearer. I’m sleeping like a log. I feel less cold. My sinuses feel wetter. I actually get hungry now. I feel super non-stressed out. I’m stretching better in my dance and my joints no longer crack. I feel normal again.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: I have to say this is a great medicine for people to try especially if those having difficulty sleeping. I had mania and my highs and lows have become stable. I have been taking this for about a month and noticed a difference the next day. It does have an awful taste but it is worth the benefits. My cocktail currently for Bipolar 1 is Effexor XR, Depakote, Lamictal, and Saphris. I plan to ween off some of these medicines since Saphris has been working well. I have tried Abilify and Seroquel and had bad reactions.

Saphris (asenapine) for Schizoaffective Disorder: Started on this medicine in the hospital. So far it has worked at least as good as Zyprexa. It dose have a bitter taste to it but I have gotten used to it. The only thing I can say is I have a little bit more anxiety on it then Zyprexa but Ativan controls it pretty well and I sleep very well on it.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: Doctor warned me it tasted bad. Understatement. HORRIBLE! Numbs my mouth but is tolerable. Noticed huge difference the next day. Mood is great but I slept for 12 hours after first taking it. I'm sure my body will get used to it and that will stop happening. I'm supposed to take it twice a day but can't unless I want to sleep 24 hours a day. I expect to take it twice daily once my body adjusts. No other side effects except taste and sleep. Didn't have to use Lunesta for first time in months.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: This medication has been a God send. Never felt better in 24 years since diagnosis...been on everything before. Saphris is amazing. Down side is dry mouth and water retention. Upside is everything else. Thank you Merck...you hit the target this time.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: I have only been on this medicine for 3 days. It tastes very bad. Use a Listerine strip if you don't like the taste. It is not that bad for me. I take it twice a day, but I have to drink a pot of coffee in the morning so not to fall asleep. I feel better, not sure if it it is the coffee or the medicines. I do sleep very well with it. Haven't had this much sleep in years.

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder: This is the third day and that's why I only rated it an 8. I was hypomanic with extreme swings and I've calmed down so much already.

Saphris (asenapine) for Schizoaffective Disorder: After going through another 23 drugs in the past six years, Saphris seems to be the one medicine that helps. I took the chance of taking this medication without Cogentin to see what the side effects would be and what I experienced was some restlessness in feeling that I needed to pace the floor as well as agitation. Taking this medication with Cogentin has rid the restlessness entirely. Saphris has calmed some of my mood swings and response to negativity from others. As for the schizophrenic side, it has kept the paranoia at bay.