Abilify for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2021

"I went on the generic Abilify for days, and I started having suicidal ideation and ended up in the ER. I had an inpatient psych stay at a hospital for a week. During my stay, I continued having suicidal thoughts. I've never had serious thoughts like this before this medication. I also developed akathisia and could not sleep. The medication was discontinued, and I have gotten better, but am still having sporadic thoughts a week later. I hope they continue to lessen as time goes on..."

• jjb...
• June 21, 2021

"I have been taking Paxil for about 4 years, and it just seemed to stop working. I found myself doing destructive behaviors, i.e., watching porn and masturbating just to feel better. After taking Abilify for the first time, I started losing interest and can’t even do that stuff anymore. That means more time to focus on something positive. I’m definitely a fan."

• ven...
• June 19, 2015

"I took 2.5 milligrams of Abilify for a month, then the generic came out, and I had to use that because the insurance wouldn't pay for the brand name. It was the worst experience I've had, I couldn't stay awake, so I started taking it at night. Still, really bad result, so I called my insurance company, and I called my doctor, and I'm now back on the regular Abilify brand name, 5 milligrams. However, I'm afraid of the weight gain. I've already gained weight on Cymbalta, and I'm afraid I'll gain more on the Abilify. However, it does make me active enough for hopefully I'll be able to walk a lot of it off or something. Does anybody have any suggestions for keeping the weight off?"

• bea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 30, 2014

"I take this for depression. It keeps me from having major depression, but I have had weight gain, increased acid reflux, and changes in my menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, the weight gain is the deal breaker. I am looking for something that doesn't have that side effect. Otherwise, Abilify would be a 9. The same is with Zoloft. It cures depression, but the weight gain is even more rapid. Am looking for something that can do both-stop the depression and prevent the weight gain."

• 66y...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 30, 2021

"I was prescribed Abilify for MDD, it was added to my Citalopram. I noticed a positive difference within 4 days. After a few weeks on it, I felt even better, had energy and motivation for the first time in years. I slept better and was ready to get out of bed in the morning. However, within 3 months of taking this, I gained almost 20 lbs. I had a bit of a weight problem before this, so I was, of course, really freaked out. My doctor told me it wasn't the Abilify, it was my eating habits. I knew differently, but I loved how I felt, so I kept taking it. Fast forward 6 months, I've gained 38 lbs, I hate the way I look so much I won't leave my house, and my depression returned. I stopped taking it slowly. I've lost my energy, and physical things are twice as hard because of my weight. I'm seriously disappointed to have to stop taking something that helped me so much because of the extreme weight gain."

• Joj...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 27, 2015

"While this medication is quite effective in controlling my depression, I've gained 25 pounds despite reducing calories. This in itself has caused me to be depressed. I crave sweets and I feel blood sugar spikes. I do not have diabetes. I am an otherwise healthy 48-year-old. I am on the lowest dose possible. I have been on the drug for two years, so do not be fooled that this may be a temporary condition for some. Exercise has done nothing to reduce the weight. My knees and back are suffering. I am on a 1200 calorie diet and still slightly overweight. My doctor tells me it's a price to pay for being emotionally healthy. It's hard to accept. There must be something out there to counteract the weight gain."

• rea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2015

"I'm still hoping this drug will actually produce some results, but it hasn't made a difference yet. What it has done, though, is make me feel REALLY lethargic, to the point I stopped taking it in the morning as I was directed, because I'd be unable to function at all. But now that I take it at night, I still feel lethargic, but I cannot actually fall asleep or stay asleep. I just feel like a drugged-out mess. Also, I read this can cause weight gain and excessive hunger, but I'm the opposite. I have zero appetite. I'm not impressed yet, but I'm encouraged by so many others who say it's helped them. So I'm gonna try a little longer."

• Dep...
• September 11, 2017

"While this medication can be obtained relatively cheaply, please make sure you read about any side effects it can cause. While I did feel a little better while taking it, I gained a significant amount of weight in a short period of time (40 lbs in 2 months). I have since been taken off of it because the rapid weight gain was concerning to my PCP, who relayed it to my psychiatrist. Make sure you speak up if you are experiencing any of the side effects. Weight gain like I experienced is not worth me taking this medication."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2020

"This medication made my heart race so bad that I ended up in urgent care with an EKG because of said racing heart. I was on the lowest dose, too. Once I was told to stop taking it, my heartbeat was back to normal, but the muscle spasms everywhere were just as annoying and unwanted."

• cya...
• May 31, 2017

"I agree with Triple Dee. This drug = the worst. It was supposed to help psychotics. It turned me into a zombie. Also turned me into a compulsive shopper, which can be accomplished from the couch I became glued to due to my zombie state. With no motivation, my house was a mess. And the eating! OMG. I gained a pound a day. I have clinical depression and massive anxiety. I take 40 mg of Viibryd. Tough, tough drug to get on in the beginning, but I stuck to it, and it's been a blessing. No sexual or eating side effects. I went on 450 Wellbutrin to survive Midwest winters. I stay on it year-round. Anxiety - I take Xanax - four 0.5 pills a day - three at bedtime, and I split the fourth - a half in the morning, a half at dinner. Don't want all these drugs, but they keep me going and productive."

• gar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2014

"Update: I have been on Abilify 2 mg and 45 mg Remeron for three months and still doing good. Have gained 10 pounds but needed it. A little tired at times, but well worth it. No sexual side effects. Hoping for long-term success!"

• uni...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2014

"I have been on Abilify (10 mg) for the past 3 weeks. It has been very helpful with my psychosis/hallucinations. I have only hallucinated twice in the past 3 weeks. There have been some complications, though. I have experienced side effects of nausea, light-headedness, being constantly tired, and dizziness. My depression seems to be lightening up every day, and that is wonderful."

• Nev...
• July 31, 2015

"I took Abilify once, at night, in a psych ward because of my new doctor. I went to bed, like normal. When I woke up in the morning to take vitals, I started to get this tightness in my chest that I couldn't place. I was going to ask for my inhaler because I have asthma, but then I heard roaring in my ears, and my vision went fuzzy. I didn't know it then, but my blood pressure was dropping from a healthy level down to 53/28. I panicked and stood up, and then dropped to the floor like a rock. I was lucky the nurse caught me. My heart stopped. I don't truly remember a lot about that day, but that was because I was either unconscious or in a dreamy haze. Abilify sent me into anaphylactic shock and almost killed me. No ratings lower than one, sadly."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2016

"On the 2 or 2.5 mg as an add-on to Trintellix. Definite noticeable improvement in mood and energy. No weight gain. The effects seem to be intermittent, so I'm hopeful my dosage will be increased on the next visit to my P-doc. It shows potential of being a life changer for the positive. I think an up to 5 mg may do the trick :) Great there is a $4 generic for my insurance."

• Zan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2018

"I've only been on it for a few days. I have anxiety, ADHD, depression, and BPD. I'm on Lexapro 20mg, and it helped for a little bit, but I was still having crazy ups and downs throughout the day. Happy and then 20 minutes later, crying and upset. Although I haven't been diagnosed with BP 2, I believe I have it. This medicine so far has done wonders. I'm actually energetic, talkative, I want to work out (I always had to drag myself to the gym), and I feel like I'm living better. The downside is it's hard to fall asleep at night. Nothing major, I'm gonna try Melatonin tonight and see if it helps. Other side effects are nausea and a slight headache for me."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2019

"I was put on this medicine a year ago, and yes, it helped my depression, but I had dizziness, and I felt like a zombie. No energy or ambition to do anything. I am just now telling my doctor to take me off. I can't go back to work this way. I can see it helping some people if they need to be calmed down, per se."

• vit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2016

"Tolerated 5 mg, so was bumped up to 10, tolerated that and was bumped up to 15. At this point, I'm so confused and disoriented by the Abilify that I can't tell the difference between real life and the fever dreams it gives me."

• Gun...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 3, 2015

"This drug was a lifesaver. I was put on this medication after going through a tough bout of postpartum depression right after having the baby. If I hadn't gotten help when I did, I'm sure it was becoming psychosis. After taking Abilify along with an antidepressant and something for anxiety for a couple of weeks, I was finally able to see the light again. Wasn't sure I'd ever be normal again, but thankfully I was able to figure it out and function again."

• Yal...
• October 18, 2015

"I was prescribed 2.5 mg of Abilify to augment Pristiq 200 mg for severe depression. It worked quickly, and my sleep and appetite improved a lot. So far, I get some hungry periods, but no huge weight gain yet. Hope it won't occur, as it seems to help me. Good luck. It is expensive at $166 for a 2-month supply. Insurance rebate $133, though."

• Lit...
• January 24, 2015

"Abilify 2 mg at first, then 5 mg & 10 mg, gained weight in a matter of 2 months. Yes, it was working, but I gained weight back I had lost & then some. It's second to prednisone! I've never been 200 lbs & may get to the 180s. So now I'm back depressed! My insurance would cover until October & then the price would vary. It didn't matter, I couldn't pay it."

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

"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."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2018

"First started the med, my sleep, 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2014

"When I was younger, I was put on Abilify in combination with antidepressants. I've been off of it for about 5 years or so now. As I recall, it didn't do much for me, however, my weight skyrocketed during the time I was on it, and it stuck with me even after I was off of it. At my worst, I was about 250 pounds. I've lost a lot of weight since then, however, I still struggle with my weight today, which creates a self-esteem issue that adds to my depression."

• Suk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2014

"After taking several antidepressants across medicine classes, my doctor prescribed Abilify to take with Wellbutrin. I took the Abilify for 4 weeks before I couldn't take it anymore. I experienced severe panic and insomnia. I am an anxious person, but I began getting extremely anxious and panicked about weird, insignificant things that had never bothered me before. Through my insurance, this medication was $75 every month. I think that would be worth it if it helped, but a complete waste to feel worse."

• Che...
• September 16, 2016

"Several years ago, I was prescribed Abilify as an add-on to my Paxil 50 mg, which I've been taking for 24 years 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."