Vraylar for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Leeza
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2017

"This is my second post, I was waiting for my insurance to approve this med....been on samples starting at 1.5, then to 3mg, and now 4.5mg, other then a little bit of restlessness, I am tolerating this med quite well (after trying over 40 other meds) it has been 2 months since I began taking it, and at least some of the suicidal thoughts have dissipated...I will continue to take it, and work up to 6mg starting next month....but by far, one of the best Bipolar meds I have tried in over 9 years!"

• drugr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2021

"I wish I could say good things about Vraylar but it was just not the medication for me. A few days in on 1.5mg and I felt restless to no end (akathisia). This feeling was unfortunately familiar to me and I knew to ask to cease the medication. Not only that, but I had to wait 5+ days for the feeling to end after because of the long half-life. It was not meant to be..."

• Itsaa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2023

"Earlier this year I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 and ADHD while in my early 30's, female. I had a horrible depressive episode that caused me to spiral out of control and I was put on Vraylar 1.5 mg immediately and within 5 days, I was a new person. I was able to go to work again and was able to live mynlife normally. The Adhd diagnosis came a couple months later and Adderall was included into my regimen as well as some vitamin supplements to bring some labs up and i dont even know myself anymore. Vraylar changed my life. I am now on 3mg. My family and those closest to me see the difference in me. I love this medication. I have a medical card and find that if i medicate with my cannabis before bed and take my Vraylar at night, I get more sedated and can have a very peaceful nights rest where I get good sleep at about 8 to 10 hours a night so i do not get the up all night effect i have seen others talk about. Give it a shot!"

• sevav
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 22, 2024

"I really can't emphasize enough how good Vraylar has been for me. It's been the heavy lifter in my medication cocktail - I no longer have depressive or manic episodes nor psychosis. I know I can give most of the credit to Vraylar, because I switched insurances recently and they didn't want to pay for it. My symptoms ended up returning in spite of trialing other mood stabilizers and antipsychotics. Eventually they gave up and agreed to pay for it and I went back to my old self almost immediately. I haven't had any discernible side effects, and there were even some perks like a boost of energy and better concentration. It might not work for everyone, but this was the perfect drug for me!"

• bipol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2017

"25 year old female with type II bipolar, coupled with ADHD, social anxiety, and hypothyroidism. I was on vraylar for a month last year, and my experience was so bad that I switched psychiatrists. I saw no improvements to my mood swings (primarily depressive), and gained 17 pounds in the span of that month. If you have a slow metabolism or thyroid condition, I highly recommend you stay away from this medication."

• musta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2017

"Have had a great experience with vraylar. Went from oversleeping on a regular basis (on risperidone) to sleeping a healthy 8-10 hours. Feel sharper, more social, and generally in a better mood. Unfortunately have been dealing with insomnia and on and off nausea. It's been two weeks since starting. Overall the positives outweigh the negatives and I'm hoping the side effects subside over time. Give it a shot."

• Sad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 29, 2017

"This medication works for me. I can get housework done, mow the grass, and just push myself to do things now. Sometimes I can't sit still. Side effects were sore muscles and nauseous which went away after a few days. Depression is gone. Only thing is it makes me nervous a little bit and on edge so I take something else for that."

• Moesha
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2020

"I have been dealing with bipolar for 20 years and this med is by far the worst. Started on 1.5 mg 3 x week and then to every other day.It spiralled me into the worse mania I have ever had .Was awake for 4 days straight ."

• Less...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2018

"I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 many years ago but have only really started taking meds and managing it. I've been on lamictal 150mg twice a day and clonopine 1mg as needed. In the last month I started having more anxiety and the lamictal just didn't seem as effective anymore. My doc started me on the Vraylar 1.5mg 10 days ago and I'm most definitely worse with it. I'm more agitated, emotional, shaky, can't sleep even with sleeping meds. My paranoia has significantly increased. I I don't recommend this med at all."

• Jenni...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2019

"Started on Vraylar 1.5mg for 3 weeks, mild side effects...went up to 3mg and the insomnia and restlessness and agitation was horrible. I made in 5 days and then saw doc. I have Bipolar I and she suggested I go back down to 1.5 and added 5mg of abilify. My body was sore for the first few days, but starting to feel good again and taking the abilify at bedtime helps with sleep."

• Lo247
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2019

"Today is the first day I’m taking it. I suffer from panic attacks and racing thoughts , highs and lows. I’m all jacked up! Lol I’m reading the reviews and I’m kinda worried, but I’ve got to give it a try. Everyone is different, I’m hoping I am one of the lucky ones. It says it can cause weight gain but if I continue to eat healthy I shouldn’t have a problem. I will repost again with my thoughts on the drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2017

"Hi it been 3 weeks that I been in vraylar 1.5 . At the first 2 weeks I was feeling like fast palpitations or panic attack. Dr give m also clonazepam for my panic attacks which I used for 3 days and now I just taking the vrylar1.5 and my depression is gone and my panic attach also. Feel very happy with this medicine. I been diagnostic with bipolar#1 for about 29 years and this medicine for m work great!!!!"

• Piano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2019

"I’ve been on Vraylar for about a month for bipolar. It works wonders but it makes me excessively drowsy at 1.5 mg. I take the med at night and still feel drowsy the next day. Needless to say, I have to stop taking it."

• Cmaxine
• August 5, 2016

"After reading the previous reviews I wasn't expecting much. Boy was I wrong! This has been the best three months that I have had in sixteen years. I'm alert, full of energy, strong enough to carry daily activities. I can play with my eight grandchildren, participate in spiritual activities, etc. I feel like someone has turned on a switch to my life. Best of all my insurance covered it. No need for naps any more."

• Relie...
• September 22, 2018

"I’ve been on Vraylar 1.5mg for 1 month for bipolar disorder. Manic episodes, mood swings, random anger/crying we’re completely out of control. I started taking this in the morning, but it was making me nauseous half of the day even with a light breakfast. I switched to bedtime and it interfered with sleep. I am now trying a lunchtime dose, which seems to be better. I have learned I cannot take it on an empty stomach (I don’t usually have that issue with medications). It suppress my appetite. My doc added a sleep aid and this seems to be a good combo. Once I learned the correct way to take it, it has been an amazing help to me so far. I just increased to 3mg 2 days ago and so far so good. I feel like I am more alert and have more energy a lot of the time. Also I feel the need to always keep moving, which can be tiring at times. I’ll take that over the manic and other symptoms any day! I hope it helps others the way it has me so far. THE COST OF THIS MED IS CRAZY THOUGH!"

• Lilly
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2019

"I have bipolar, mixed features and this drug did wonders for my mania and depression, however, after a huge 30 pound weight gain I am choosing to discontinue this drug. I have been off of it for several weeks now and have had a nightmare of a time getting the weight off. Even though I'm not as hungry or eating nearly as much as I was on Vraylar."

• Nutter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2017

"I have been on Vraylar 3mg for one week now. I am an ultra rapid cycling BP 1 with severe OCD and other issues. I rejected depakote due to my epileptic sister's weight gain so my doc decided to try me on Vraylar. I was supposed to have 1.5mg for one week before stepping up to 3mg. Unfortunately, I was in a bad place when I was there and left the samples behind. After my pharmacy called to have my Dr call the insurance company to verify it was medically necessary (oh boy, I AM a nutter butter) it was then ordered (only person in town on it? Oh goody.) and I took the first dose at bedtime. 6 hours later I felt like I had the worst tequila hangover ever. Fast forward one week and I am actually trying out the "feeling normal" thing I heard of."

• Novra...
• January 28, 2017

"This medication worked for me for about 3 weeks. I started on 1.5mg then my doctor increased it to 3mg. After the increased I had an upset stomach, my chest felt very heavy, and it was difficult for my to swallow and speak without gasping for air. My doctor wants me to go back down to 1.5mg I told my doctor I am taking myself off. Anything that bothers my breathing I can't tolerate."

• Leeza
• February 13, 2017

"Been on Vraylar 3 weeks, and within the first 2-3 days noticed a HUGE difference in my energy level, and actually got out of the fetal position I usually lay in almost all day....although, there are only so many things I can actually do around my house and living alone, so a lot of built-up energy, that finds me pacing and wanting to call and talk to every person I know, (which doesn't work great, feeling like a bother to everyone) the depression went away within a few days of starting this med, but has since felt like it is returning, I am currently taking 3mg, and been waiting 5 days for my insurance to actually "Approve" that they will pay for it, in order for me to continue taking it at a 4.5mg dose, also a HUGE increase in appetite!"

• Scarred...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2019

"I’ve been on Vraylar for a little over 3 months for bipolar. My side effects are I’ve had such bad dizziness I fainted on my kitchen floor and split open my face in 2 places. I’m having super dark thoughts, afraid to leave the house, I only feel good when I’m sleeping during the day at night it wakes me up throughout the night or I'm just wide awake all night, and I gained weight. I went back and forth taking it in the am and bedtime to see which was good but neither were. I’m just going to get off it the 1.5 mg Vraylar, 80mg Cymbalta (that is my happy pill❤️), 50mg Vyvance"

• LilKo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2018

"My psychiatrist started me on Vraylar 1.5 mg once a day, about 3 weeks ago. And within those past few weeks, this medication has made such a huge difference in my life. I have hardly any depressive mood episodes, and my rapid mood shifts are down to a minimum. Vraylar helps me have a huge positive mindset,I feel like myself again. I would strongly encourage anyone who struggles with depressive mood episodes, like I did in the past,to ask your doctor about Vraylar."

• Careb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2019

"My husband took this medication for 3 days. Each day became progressively worse. He was getting more agitated, huge appetite increase, restless and anxious by the day. Not to mention the minimal to no sleep he was getting. I was surprised to see the side effects appear so quickly, but I am glad. We are now on day 4 off the medication. I'm hopeful he will be getting back to baseline soon. With detox he has brain saps, interrupted sleep, restlessness and anxiety. Last night was better than any night in the past week. Given the side effects and length of time the med stays in your system I am glad we stopped the med after 3doses"

• lace
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2018

"I am so excited my dr. recommended this. I have never been diagnosed with Bi-polar but take anxiety medicine and told him that I wasn't happy, just "there". After being on this for a week, I feel like a whole new person and within the past month of being on it, it has gotten even better. I realized I am singing in the car again, and not taking my job or kids so seriously - life happens. I am enjoying people and wanting to step outside of my routine. Finally laughing a lot. The negative, it makes me very sleepy so I take 1.5mg at night only. I have crazy dreams, but am willing to deal with that to keep feeling like I do. Insurance didn't cover it but I got a coupon from the dr for now."

• AReal...
• October 5, 2018

"So, I was on two other antipsychotics before this one. This one is the best out of the three, but I still have issues with side effects. The most annoying side effect is akathisia (a movement disorder). I ALWAYS have to be moving. It's very uncomfortable. Another side effect is trouble sleeping. No matter what time of day I take it I have trouble sleeping. My emotions are dulled, but at least I'm not having manic or depressive episodes, so I guess it's worth it. I have a lot of trouble with concentration and memory, but my doctor says that's not med related (I think it is though because I wasn't having those issues before.) Anyway, the medicine does what it is supposed to. It suppresses my hallucinations to some extent and I don't have manic or depressive episodes anymore. But honestly I'm not sure if the side effects are worth it. I've been on it for about 5 months and the side effects have not lessened or gone away like the doctor claimed they would."

• NWIna...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2022

"NO THANK YOU! I’m bi-polar. I had moved to KY from IN and had to see a new doctor. He prescribed Vraylar with Lamictal for my depression when I told him all I needed was a script for Latuda. I’ve been bipolar for more than 28 years! I had been with my last doctor for more than 20 years. I, also, take 800mg of Seroquel at night. When the new doctor prescribed both of those medsicines, I was lethargic, I could not stop drinking water, and I was shaking! I called his office and he would NOT call me back! Being bipolar for so long, I knew to wean myself off of both Vraylar & Lamictal until it was out of my system. I reported the doctor to the medical board & immediately found a new doctor! Just be aware of what you are taking, when a doctor wants to prescribe one medication… ok. But two at a time? Be cautious!!!"