Abilify for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)
Abilify has an average rating of 6.1 out of 10 from a total of 128 reviews for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder. 49% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 36% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Abilify
- Cheerio
- 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 yrs 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."
- Kaitl...
- 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"
Frequently asked questions
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- Jacob
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- October 3, 2018
"First started the med my sleep and 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"
- Zyra
- Taken for less than 1 month
- August 29, 2018
"I may have had an adverse reaction, but this drug made my life so bad for a few weeks. I was vomiting about every other hour or so starting the morning after I took it for the first time. Because of its stupidly long half-life, it took me another few days for the vomiting to finally stop."
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- Steph...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 16, 2016
"Abilify served me well over a two month period. Of all of the antidepressants that I have taken over the past 20 years, I would give Abilify the highest rating. However, one of its potential side effects can be significantly increased blood glucose levels in some Type 1 diabetics. Unfortunately I was one of these and I was never able to control these levels within an acceptable range and I had to discontinue Abilify as a result. These statements should be taken with caution since I was only able to take the drug for 8 weeks. I noted no other serious side-effects. I do suffer from ED but this is as much a result of 40 years of Type 1 diabetes as of any other factor."
- wired...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 5, 2015
"so far so good. after having been on a high dosage of Effexor XR for several years and hoping to ween off of that med I ended up in the hospital with a major depressive breakdown. the hospital psychiatrist prescribed 40mg fluoxetine and after 6 weeks that wasn't touching my disorder. my new psychiatrist had me try Latuda 40mg at first and that med made me feel tense and horrible. now we are trying a low dosage of Abilify along with the 40mg fluoxetine."
More FAQ
- JenJen
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- October 1, 2015
"I have had major depressive disorder, anxiety and ocd since I was a kid. On and off meds since 1987. Paxil was the best for me for a decade or more. Went off of it myself to try and get pregnant and had a nervous breakdown. Was hospitalized for severe issues, etc. Had ECT. Scary, but it helped, looking back at the experience. Now, I take liquid generic Zoloft (250 mgs/mls), liquid generic Abilify (3mgs/3mls) and Clonazapam. I feel like the Abilify gives me a boost vs. just being on liquid generic Zoloft. However, I have gained A LOT of weight over the past five or six years - like 60 pounds - used to be slender. I give Abilify a decent rating, except for the weight gain and some sleepiness. And I think liquid vs. pills is better."
- Seymour...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- February 9, 2021
"Was prescribed Abilify to help 'boost' my antidepressants. Have been on it for almost two years. Caused me to gain 50 pounds in 3 months and even with exercise and dieting have been unable to lose the weight. Also causes very vivid dreams and at higher doses causes feelings of anxiety and paranoia. I strongly suggest you take a genetic test to make sure this medication will work for you before you take this drug"
- Hannah...
- September 19, 2016
"I've had severe, reoccurring MDD for several years, aggravated by an eating disorder, self-harm, chronic insomnia, and compulsive behaviors. I've bounced around the whole SSRI; you name it, tried it. My Wellbutrin/Brintellix combo wasn't sufficient. I was exhausted, napping 2-3 hours midday, eating disorder raging, couldn't get out of bed. No motivation, flatness, etc. I've been taking 1mg Klonopin at 5:30p & bedtime, and 10mg Ambien when I go to sleep for a decade. I did NOT like Abilify. It did nothing to give me more energy or motivation. I gained 20 pounds in one month on the med, with NO SYMPTOMATIC RELIEF. Stopped after 6 wks, and have only lost 10lbs in the 6 mo, even with exercise & meal plan. Risperidol was no better. Crap drug!"
- Spring...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 1, 2016
"I have been on various antidepressants for over 25 yrs. When I quit working, drinking and smoking, buried memories of my father's abuse rose up and almost killed me. Over the next 5 years I was hospitalized 5 times for a total of almost a year in Homewood in Guelph. (Every time I was admitted they built me up, but back at home I would deteriorate. Homewood saved my life). Life for me was much better after my husband retired 11 yrs ago (yes I am a senior). We bought a trailer in Florida and spend 6 months there every winter. However, every year during the 6 months in Ontario I would slowly go down hill until I did practically nothing, slept for a big part of the day, but always managed to hide my depression from my daughters and sister"
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- September 29, 2021
"First 2 weeks I felt great taking 2mg a day. Third week, this week, my intrusive, negative thoughts, anxiety and panic disorders are back with a vengeance. Hoping to get better regulation of my emotions soon!"
- Xoxox...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 30, 2016
"Update on my previous post: I have seen multiple doctors and my skin has turned blue in some places, they say it is a side effect of the medication. Do not let them tell you it is a rash. It is not and Benadryl does not help. You are not crazy, yes your skin is changing colors in random spots."
- Help4...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- July 2, 2021
"I have been on Willburtrin Hcl for years and it stopped working so I was put on Prozac w/Willburtrin Hcl. That combo didn't seem to work. So now I am trying Prozac, Willburtrin Hcl and Abilify. I hope something works. Let you know in a month."
- Heath...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 2, 2021
"I wish I could tout the glorious benefits of this medication, but I can't. I has made me super tense. As someone struggling with Borderline Personality Disorder - That is totally unacceptable. I was already uptight and too intense! I also feel as though my focus is dull and aggravated. I have zilch interest as far as my mind goes. It has now been at least 9 hours and I am STILL struggling. If you are someone who has to endure tension and stress on a daily basis, I don't think this medication is for you. Hopefully this will wear off soon. I hope so."
- Cari
- May 29, 2017
"Been taking 5mg a day for 2 months in addition to Celexa for MDD. Don't feel much benefit,-- maybe a slightly more stable mood , but my blood pressure has dropped too much. I'm now starting a taper to see if it helps any better at 2.5 mg."
- Happy
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- October 3, 2020
"Was on Abilify for 5 years and did not know that was too long, now I have severe Tardive Dyskinesia would never have taken it. I must have been told of the side effects then and did not remember"
- steve...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 15, 2021
"Abilify is great, within a week my 2.5 year MDD was going away, no side affects, I feel great"
- Dannyss
- December 1, 2016
"2.5 mg Abilify and 50 mg Sertraline are magic combinations for my depression. other SSRI and monotherapy of Sertraline don't work but my psychiatrist adds 2.5 mg Abilify and now I can smile again!"
- Frog
- September 12, 2020
"I've been on abilify for 2 years and its caused me severe eye problems elevated my depression"
- Lau-R...
- September 10, 2019
"Just HAD to say something about this medication!!!! "
- Alex...
- April 11, 2023
"Abilify works great. I feel like I'm getting better. I have tried many medications."
- SueZQ
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- December 9, 2015
"For me it was a wonder drug. Started at 2.5mg. Now up to 20. The only draw back is the weight gain. I may consider weaning off because of it."
- Jamesiv
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- July 29, 2014
"Weight gain and fatigue."
- emg
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 9, 2017
"INSOMNIA and FEELING HORRIFICALLY HORRIBLE AFTER 1 DOSE. NO MORE POISON, PLEASE!!"
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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"Abilify 2mg added on to my regular SSRI took me out of the nightmare pit I was living in and brought me back to stable. The fatigue with this drug is indescribable; I could sleep 20 hours a day if I didn’t force myself to work. I am finally off if, but I had to taper with a 1ml syringe and use a liquid form. It took me 4 months. If you want to discontinue, please taper very very slowly."