Abilify for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Rac...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 27, 2021

"Instead of helping my depression, I felt trapped in it, unable to say how I truly felt. Unable to move out of that feeling, yet unable to fully feel it either. My irritability became worse overall. I would have even bigger breakdowns over even smaller things. The frequency was slightly less, the incidents were more severe. I developed tardive dyskinesia and pseudo-Parkinson's after long-term use. I gained over 100 lbs on this medication, 60 of which happened in the first 5 months. My dietary habits did not change in this time. My sleep and exercise were affected. Prior to Abilify, I was very active and loved to walk and ride my bike. While on Abilify, I became listless and disinterested in physical activities. My poor sleep became worse, and Abilify created insomnia in me, which I then needed more medications for. Then I began having memory and attention issues while on Abilify, so I was prescribed Adderall to help me concentrate. All of this, and I am better off meds."

• Jul...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 21, 2019

"I was on this for over 3 years. To start with, I thought it was working, the last year, I had a racing head and high anxiety. Was discharged from psych, so I had to fight to get seen again to change medication. Realized a few months after coming off it that my finances had changed shortly after starting Abilify and not in a good way. I was never in debt before Abilify. I am 37 too. I’m in a lot of debt because of Abilify, because I started taking out loans shortly after starting it, amongst other things. Have since read that the FDA made the manufacturing company list compulsive shopping, compulsive gambling, and other excessive behaviors, etc., as a side effect in May 2016. I started it in August 2015, so was unaware when I researched this medication when I first went on it. No doctor made me aware of this side effect at any point. Please note I have been manic prior to this medication and had never taken out credit or borrowed money."

• JKW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2022

"Prescribed two weeks ago, 2.5 mg to start, and I've been at 5 mg the last four days. I've really felt it since the increase, and general early impression is: this stuff is great! A few side effects: moderate bathroom issues, a slight hand tremor now and then, and - worst to me - so far my libido has been flattened. Can I give up my sex life for a luxury like mental health? Hope not, but might be necessary so I don't end up in the news; the rage monster will always be there, but this could really help. The GOOD effects are good: mild euphoria, a real-feeling contentment, I want to be social again, a willingness bordering on pleasure in mundane tasks. My house and garden have not been this tidy in years - love it! Final notes: I have bipolar II, and I've been on 200 mg of lamotrigine for six years now; it's great but was becoming less effective, so my doc just added the generic Abilify. I'll revisit this review after I've been on it for a while, but so far, pretty good."

• 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."

• TJa...
• 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 gets 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."

• tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2018

"I would love to share my experience with this medication. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder with major mood swings affecting my daily life, such as work. I tried Abilify 10 mg, and it made me feel like the living dead, no energy, feeling tired, and a really bad increase in anxiety and feeling paranoid. I was then lowered the dosage to 5 mg, however, it still made me tired and increased my anxiety. My physician does not want to take me off of it. I really do not wish to proceed with this medication. I stopped taking it without letting my doctor know. I really hope to try something else. Thanks."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2019

"I am on the 400 mg Abilify injection, and I am miserable! My pdoc is the worst. She does not listen to anything I have to say about the drug regarding side effects. I am having muscle spasms as I am typing right now. I also have dry mouth, constipation, depression, and agitation. I had this doctor with tunnel vision ten years ago, you think I would have learned my lesson, but I do have an appointment on the 18th with a new proc, thank God!!!! God help us all!!!"

• Jua...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2013

"I found out I was bipolar about a month ago. The first pill my PCP gave me was Abilify. Starting on 2 mg for the first 2 weeks. I didn't notice anything until maybe the third day. However, the rest of that week and the following, I have been on a roller coaster. I just started taking 5 mg of Abilify, and I notice the next day. I had the feeling of being normal again. The only side effect I've noticed was when I was depressed, I was depressed. Since upping the dose, I feel way better."

• cla...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 13, 2024

"I've been on aripiprazole 10 mg for 1 year now, and it has changed my life for the better. I also take it in combination with the antidepressant Remeron. My symptoms have decreased by 90% with this drug, my depression finally lifted for the first time in years, and I'm no longer crying on a daily basis. In the last year, I got a job and got my life together emotionally for the first time since my 20s started (I'm about to turn 30). The only negative side effect I've experienced from this medication has been akathisia, which has gotten somewhat better over time. I still experience episodes of restlessness from time to time, but for me, the positives of this drug outweigh the side effects. Unfortunately, it hasn't helped much with my anxiety. But for lifting me out of depression and nearly 0 manic episodes, I would recommend this drug to others. I am so grateful that my doctor prescribed this drug to me, as I was hesitant to try it after experiencing terrible side effects from lithium and Seroquel."

• Anonymous
• January 8, 2009

"I have been on Abilify for a month now at 15 mg. 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 six other medicines, and they didn't work. Thank God for Abilify."

• Man...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 8, 2023

"Abilify has saved my life. I have bipolar II, and the depression I felt was so debilitating. Within a few weeks of taking Abilify, I felt more stable, and I don't know where I'd be without it. I was previously on Zyprexa, which sucked the life out of me, but the Abilify has allowed me to breathe life back into myself again! Mild side effects upon first starting but other than that, it's been nothing but positive!!"

• Chr...
• May 4, 2016

"I take Abilify 2 mg along with Wellbutrin 300 mg as well and feel so much better. No side effects 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!"

• Luc...
• 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 wary 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 used 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."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2008

"I have been taking Abilify for a week. It has already taken the edge off the rages. However, I am still experiencing high anxiety. My family says I am calmer, so that is definitely 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. 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."

• kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2023

"I've suffered from depression since I was 12. I'm now 36. At 31, I was diagnosed with bipolar II. I've tried various combinations of antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants. I've found a few that have somewhat worked, but none of them have given me the motivation and will to LIVE like Abilify has just in the 4 days I've been taking it. I'm doing my hobbies again, and I actually cleaned the whole house at once for the first time in a year. I'm painting my nails again and doing makeup again, which I haven't done in over 4 months now. I read the reviews on here before suggesting it to my doctor, and boy, I'm so glad I did. I have HOPE again for my future. I have THE WILL TO ACTUALLY LIVE AGAIN! The only side effects I'm experiencing are kind of unfortunate but worth it in my opinion, I sometimes throw up in my throat and have heartburn. I may be experiencing insomnia a tad bit too. I recommend trying this drug. I'm also taking 100mg Lamotrigine once daily."

• Bir...
• 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 I 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 a headache, wanted to puke, heart rate was faster than usual, loss of appetite, and weak (very weak)."

• Cod...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 10, 2023

"It works really well for me! Was on my deathbed with extreme mood swings every three days. Couldn't finish anything I started and had constant intrusive thoughts. Abilify really helped with the thoughts, now it's more of a static or whisper than a full-blown hit to the brain. Hard to explain, but getting rid of these intense intrusions helped to balance my mood much easier. Also, upped my lamotrigine as well. Abilify and lamotrigine work great together in my opinion."

• sho...
• 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 disorder every day and has been on almost everything and a 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."

• Can...
• 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."

• Noe...
• 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 lamotrigine, 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 marvelous 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."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2022

"My doctor prescribed me this medication for intense mood swings. I have BPD. I took 5 mg for 1 night and couldn’t sleep because I couldn’t stop itching. I also twitched and woke myself up talking. Then in the morning, I threw up saliva and stomach bile. First time I’ve ever had such a bad reaction to a med besides Ciprofloxacin."

• Mis...
• 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 that there are so many side effects. In my opinion, Abilify does what it says it is 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."

• BAE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2015

"I have bipolar 1 and started this medication to help with breakthrough symptoms while on a mood stabilizer. Within the first few hours, I knew this wasn't the right medication for me. I was so anxious inside, I felt as if my blood was crawling around beneath my skin. After two days of taking it, I knew that if I stayed on it, I would be at risk of suicide to stop that horrible feeling. Taking it made me stay awake for two days, fretting with anxiety. I spoke to my doctor the first chance I got, and she immediately took me off of it. I'm on other medications now and very stable for years."

• LaS...
• September 1, 2019

"Wow. I took it, and many of the reviews here could have been me. Was on it for 3 weeks, couldn’t take the side effects. My tongue was swollen 2x its size, uncontrollable salivating. Anger outbursts that were uncharacteristic of me, impulsivity, akathisia, horrible kicking legs as I tried to go to sleep. Doc was kind enough to pull me off it as I gained 20 pounds in this month. Ridiculous. It was not a “life saver” for me either."

• Eey...
• October 26, 2011

"Abilify has enabled me to control some of my anxiousness and reactions due to being anxious better than I had been able to before. I no longer want to smack someone who I feel is doing me wrong - I am able to control those impulses so much better than before, it is not even funny. I think on a day-to-day basis, I am much more even-keeled than I was before I started taking the medication. Keep in mind that I take it with an antidepressant (Lexapro) because I understand that Abilify provides an assist to the Lexapro in controlling my overwhelming depression symptoms. Depression and anger are now being controlled more effectively."