Saphris for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• Finally...
• September 11, 2017

"Amazing drug when combined with Lexapro (for my depressive side). To say it has changed my life, saved my marriage, and made me a better father is a sheer undersell of this medicine. I'm bipolar 2 with mixed episodes (dysphoric). I'm no longer filled with rage over nothing, irritable, or depressed. It has thus far been the magic bullet for me, after trying about 6 other combinations. It's allowing me to be present in my own life without constantly overthinking or having racing and repeating thoughts. Having a clear mind is allowing me the freedom to be the man I always knew I was. There's a lot of horror stories on here, but just remember when you find the right medication. It's worth it."

• Stpha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 3, 2021

"Currently on 5 mg at night. Best medication so far. Have try risperidone (ptd), invega (weight gain) and latuda (bad anxiety). Only 3 lbs of weight gain...not sure if it's the pandemic or the saphris. The only "side" effect I experienced it the sedative side. It put you right to sleep in 15 minutes which I like ! I wake up after 9 hours sleep without alarm feeling refresh. It tastes bad but I really don't care for the first time of my life I feel good! You should try it"

• coaff
• September 23, 2015

"Words cannot describe it. The medication has turned my life around. I still cannot believe what it has done for me. My mind has slowed down so much without taking away my ability to think sharply. I am truly happy. Anger, irritation, racing thoughts are almost completely gone. I am bipolar 1 with GAD and depression. I too am a mixed episode/rapid cycle guy. This med has given me my life back. I have been shedding anxiety and sleep meds left and right. If you can't afford it, please look to Canada. You can get generic Saphris (asenapine) very, very reasonably. It could well be worth going through a reputable Canadian pharmacy."

• Katea...
• September 16, 2015

"I do not deal with fits of rage anymore, nor do I go to extreme lows of sadness and the world is ending. Side effects I had were initially insomnia, grogginess after taking the medication, and a little bit more hungry. I eat a well-balanced diet with lots of vegetables, some fruit, high protein, and I notice having a snack before taking it helps with hunger pains. I make sure to get regular low-impact exercise such as walking. I am now able to be a better mother, keep my jobs, and feel much, much, much better mentally. Give it a try at least a month. It has been 3 weeks, and I do not have insomnia at night anymore and have dropped 14 pounds. Stay positive, don't let side effects get you down!"

• Bullw...
• December 3, 2010

"I've been bipolar for over 20 years and have tried practically every mood stabilizer and antidepressant there is, and some would work for a while 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."

• BAEEEE
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2015

"Wonder drug. I have never, ever had a period of more than two days without irritability or without hypomania. Within 2 days of taking this medication, my irritability was nil. I was able to sit in a busy, loud restaurant without getting angry or distracted. I have no sedation during the day, and this medication helps me sleep at night, immediately and deeply. I'm sleeping about 9-10 hours every night, which is why I'm giving it 8 out of 10 stars, because that amount of sleep is a little much for me. I still feel a normal range of emotion on this medication, my sex drive is normal, I have no side effects. The taste is not so bad, but my tongue does get numb every time I take it, but this wears off by the time I wake up."

• Todd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2014

"I believe I have found the answer I have been looking for! Been on it about two months. I sleep through the night with a lot less interruption, and I fall asleep more quickly. My thought pattern is far less anxious and muddled; I am able to concentrate. My mood is far less out of whack, and I am generally happy. The only downside for me is it gives me the munchies, and I have diabetes, so I have gained some weight a bit rapidly. However, with a lot of effort, I have eliminated foods out of my diet that are carbs. I am starting to level out, and I have a lot of hope for the future with this medicine. It is expensive, but I have good insurance."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2013

"I have been taking this for about 4 months now. While I admit I am awful at being consistent with new meds, I am blown away by how well Saphris has consistently toned down my impulsivity, irritation, edginess, suicidal ideations, and cycling depression. Unlike antipsychotics such as lithium, this stuff did not turn me into a walking zombie. I am still able to feel elated, just not so much so that I lose control of myself. Also, it helps me have a regular sleeping pattern! I do not know how anyone can take this in the morning as it knocks me out harder than Ambien. The downside of it is that I am experiencing secondary nocturnal enuresis. It is something I have always struggled with and I would not expect others to experience this."

• Anonymous
• April 25, 2010

"I started 5 mg Saphris 12 days ago, and it's UNBELIEVABLE! Twenty years ago (on my birthday), I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 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."

• Stay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2019

"I would really recommend this medication because I’ve tried almost every antipsychotic medication, and I’ve never been able to stabilize my mood until I found this medication. The only side effect I get from this medication is twitching on my toes, but it goes away a few minutes later. I’ve had worse side effects from Latuda, which was making me sedated and giving me milk from my breasts, and I wasn’t even pregnant. I really like this medication because it also helps me with sleep, and without it, I overthink a lot at night. My mood has definitely improved with this medication. I’ve been taking it for four years, and it’s worked. I’ve only had to increase the dosage two times, unlike other medications where I constantly have to increase the dosage."

• mcadams
• August 11, 2013

"Saphris has helped me more than any other medication (which were many, many over 12 years). I was blown away by the benefit and bewildered that it took so long for someone to prescribe it. I still don't have the strength and energy that I need, but I am functioning at 80% to 90%. Before, it was barely hanging on with suicidal periods. Savella was another good medication for me, but not quite this good. The racing thoughts, paranoia, and insomnia are gone. I usually fall asleep within 15 minutes of lying down. Although I am having some nights of waking up after 3 hours. Just getting to sleep earlier and getting the required sleep I need has made a tremendous difference in how I function and cope. My side effect has been arthritis and weight gain."

• Emily...
• April 23, 2017

"Worst medication I've ever been on. It has made me very flat, depressed, quiet, overweight, and also a case of anhedonia. I can't even talk to people anymore, just short answers and no enthusiasm. I also don't even enjoy nature anymore, and I used to LOVE the outdoors. I've been feeling like a robot ever since I went on it 6 months ago. I know I should have told my doctor sooner. Last week, I started dosing down and am praying that once I'm completely off of it, I'll be feeling better and hope to have more life in me. I'm glad to see that it works for most people. Has anyone else experienced any of these side effects?"

• Mitch
• September 19, 2017

"After trying several meds, which helped, I was introduced to Saphris at 10 mg/day. I experienced periods of debilitating drowsiness, so I decreased to 5 mg. The problem disappeared. Mentally and emotionally, I feel almost normal. Mood swings are slight and manageable. I like Saphris."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2012

"I have been severely depressed since the birth of my child 5 years ago. I have been put on every medication out for depression and mood stability. This medicine is the best. I have not felt this good in years."

• Mrspi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2016

"Started on Saphris 2 months ago for sleep and bipolar. I started at 5 mg---total nightmare! Couldn't sleep, picked arguments with my husband, and was generally very hyped and energetic (in a good but bad way!). I never saw a manic episode coming at me--but I saw this one! After 5 days, I called the doctor and was advised to go up to 10 mg. WOW!! Immediate turnaround that night (I only take it at night), and my sleep was fantastic! My attitude was amazing, and my husband was delighted with his loving and easygoing wife! I felt great--not drugged, just happy and content. Work with it--it's turned my life around!"

• Any...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2015

"I have been on various antidepressants since I was 18, with some relief at times. I've been very functional all along but never happy. I've used other illicit substances to self-medicate. I saw a psychiatrist when I finally got sick and tired of spinning my wheels. She diagnosed me with bipolar 2 and put me on Saphris. For the first month, I felt AMAZING. I was getting things done at home, at work, and even nurturing a social life again. The med still works weekly for my mood, but I've gained 20 lbs in just 2 months. This is really starting to get me down. The med had changed my life, but I'm not sure how much longer I can deal with the weight gain. If it weren't for the weight, I would've given it a 10."

• Jessie
• September 13, 2017

"After 15 years of trying different meds, this is the first one to give me a positive change. I used to be suicidal every day and had a hard time leaving the house. Everything was overwhelming. Since starting Saphris, my mind finally feels like it has 'brakes,' and my thoughts feel lighter. I'm feeling true happiness, even happy to wake up. Little to no side effects, 3 months in. I take it at night because it does make me sleepy. Sugar cravings I've noticed, but I'm trying to control that because honestly this med is giving me my life back. Cons: 20 minutes of a nasty taste in your mouth because you dissolve it under your tongue. Sugar/carb cravings, but no excess weight gain yet."

• Anony...
• December 20, 2013

"I have Bipolar Disorder I, with rapid cycling and mixed states. I tried Saphris when I was recovering from a hospitalization, which was very unpleasant and ended very badly. So I was a bit manic and terribly anxious going on it. I took it for 6 days. It seemed to work almost right away. I was shaky and anxious throughout the 6 days. Extremely sleepy and dizzy after my 5 mg at bedtime. But that wore off after 4 days. Mood-wise, it seemed to completely stall my cycling. Miracle! And I was much calmer and less reactive, but definitely awake during the days. Then, after my 6th dose, I noticed my lips were puffy, and my tongue was fatter, then my throat got tight = allergic reaction. Worked great until that!"

• Boxer...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2012

"I have been taking Saphris for 10 days. I went cold turkey off Seroquel 600 mg/day. I have had terrible insomnia. My psych said this should improve over the next few weeks, I hope so. I agreed that it tastes awful, and numbness under my tongue only lasts approximately half an hour. My mood improved the next day after my first 5 mg dose. I feel so happy and enthusiastic about life, which is amazing. The Seroquel fog has lifted, and I have lost 3.5 kg in 7 days (Seroquel munchies are gone)."

• needy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

"First night I took it, sent me into a psychedelic dream. it was like a full psychedelic trip. I went into the 4th dimension and was communicating with my past/present/future self all at once. I was everything and everyone. I was matter. energy. I was the universe. Before this drug, I never dreamt. I slept like a baby, but Saphris completely changed that.I was in full blown insanity, and on and off psychosis for days after the trip. In my mind, we are all one. so death is nothing. I am everything anyway, this shell of a body I use is not me. waking up felt like I had just come out of a coma, I had no idea who I was, where I was, and how long had passed. one second in our time felt like millions of millions of years in my dreams. I took it for another 3 days, then stopped. to this day the nightmares have never left. Some nights are worse then other. From just this one 'dream', whatever was in that drug changed something in my brain forever."

• Life...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 9, 2014

"I started out with 20 mg of Saphris but stayed groggy. Went down to 10 mg and have been on it for 6 months. I also take a sleep aid at night and now I sleep 6-7 hrs compared to 3-4. No running thoughts in my head. The longest time I have ever stayed out of the hospital in 12 years. I feel wonderful, when I start getting anxious, I take a 5 mg with my Xanax, and I am good to go. Downside: Gained 50 lbs, and cholesterol is through the roof, even though I do not eat red meat. Always have the munchies, though. Had to start on a statin medicine. Blood sugar is higher than usual but within range. Keeping an eye on this too. But this is the only medicine that has worked for me without being a zombie or continued mixed episodes."

• Lovaj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2016

"I had tried many medications to level out my bipolar disorder and relieve my GAD, and it seemed that when I would get one symptom straight, one of the others would reappear. Years it took, eventually, my doc decided to try something new when the depression hit and nothing seemed to be helping. So, I started Trileptal, which helped noticeably, but I wasn't sleeping, so he recommended Saphris to help me sleep. I was a little apprehensive but desired to feel better, so I agreed to try it. I am beyond satisfied with it. I feel better than I have been in as long as I remember. I am back in school full-time and working full-time without the edginess of mania. I feel like myself again. My friends and family have commented on how well I seem to be."

• Heidi...
• February 18, 2016

"I took Saphris and was given 10 mg samples from my Dr. I felt great! After a few weeks of samples, I went to fill my prescription. After insurance, it was $400.00! I couldn't afford to get it filled. It really stinks that a medication that made such a difference for mental health could be so costly. I can only imagine this is why so many go without medication for mental illness."

• KristiR
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 17, 2013

"I am currently taking 1/4 of a 5 mg tablet (but started out on a 1/2 tablet) of Saphris at night. I am also on Lexapro, 10 mg for depression and anxiety. The combo works great. I have horrible insomnia/waking in the night on just Lexapro (or other SSRIs I've tried), but with Saphris I sleep great and wake up refreshed! Only downside is that I've put on 10-15 pounds in the last 6 months, but not sure if it is due to Lexapro or Saphris or both. I eat very healthy (just too much) and exercise regularly... but find myself always feeling hungry. Oh well... at least I'm happy!"

• Tonya...
• March 31, 2012

"I am bipolar, and I was not on a mood stabilizer due to severe sensitivity to side effects. I take Klonopin 1 mg and Lamictal 150 mg twice a day. I was taking Ambien for sleep, but now with the Saphris, I don't need any sleep medicines, and I am so much more relaxed and not stressed out. I'm very happy that I've finally found something that is working. My mind has slowed down, deeper sleep modes, and less stress reactions to people. I feel great. Not manic great, just great. I'm thankful to my family for their support and standing by me in the rough times of the disease. My family is benefiting as well. I have to rate this as a 10. The taste is bad, but the cherry is helping. Much luck to all to try and see if it can help you too!"