Abilify Maintena and Depression: What Users Say

• Edd...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 13, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been given this drug, 300 mg by depot every month, and am on a community treatment order, which means if I refuse, I get taken straight into the hospital. It stops psychosis in bipolar, but comes at a price: no emotions, extreme tiredness, sleeping 12-14 hours a night, so it's hard to work. I’ve lost my creative side, my sex drive, even my ability to cook. I just sit in a chair most of the time, gaining weight. I feel so sorry for my family, I’ve completely lost myself, and the psychiatrist doesn’t seem to care."

• Pho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2020

For Schizophrenia "Went on an episode and relapse and took them away. BUT BE WARNED: it is like working out (as in going to the gym). You take the injection and then you work out your mentality because depression side effects start to kick in. Took away my passion for pretty much anything, and I gained 15 pounds. Been on it for 5 months. But also remember that it is different for everybody. My sleep has been horrible, but I still sleep for 10-14 hours a day. It makes you careless about your decisions, so you won't care about what you eat, and you will eat a lot since you won't care."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2022

For Schizophrenia "I took Invega for a year, and it was a nightmare: depression, erection problems, yellow semen, blood in semen. Two days ago, the doctor switched me to Abilify Maintena, and I have to tell you it is the best drug till now for me: no deep sedation, erection is there, I feel normal again. I have some side effects like a little less sleep, but it should be only a couple of days; headaches, nausea, but you can feel normal again with a smile on your face and a great feeling. And also, I noticed that I don't want to smoke that much, and I read that one guy, after one week, had no desire to smoke, which I can feel already now. :) If you feel bad on Invega, like I did, maybe give it a try."

• Jes...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I was coerced into taking this injection at a mental hospital, where I was told if I did not have it, I would be in there for a long time. My only symptoms were depression and anxiety at the time of admission. It is a horrible drug, it gave me anhedonia, so lack of pleasure. I also had side effects to begin with, like constipation, and I passed out. I also had racing thoughts and severe insomnia. AVOID this drug if you can, it is awful."

• Ean...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2019

For Schizophrenia "My fiancé has been taking meth for a long time. Ever since, he has had a sleeping disorder. Anxiety. Depressed. Doctor suggested this injection, Abilify. Is there anyone here taking meth and tried Abilify?"

• ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 2, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "So where to begin. I love how this drug completely turned my life around in a really positive way. Used to have multiple manic episodes a year. I haven't had one in over a year after being on this drug. The reason I'm giving this an 8 is it's incredibly effective as a mood stabilizer, but it makes you too stable to the point of feeling numb at a high dose. Some minor weight gain that's slowly going away, and akathisia, which is also slowly going away. I hope that the anhedonia will also slowly back off over time. Let's see. If I had to take this or be unstable, I would take this. Also, starting this was a nightmare as it made me incredibly agitated before it eventually stabilized my mood."

• Cdn...
• August 3, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I was hospitalized for having a psychotic episode where I was having delusions and hallucinations. I was originally started on the highest dose of Invega Sustenna but had the dose lowered and was switched over to Abilify Maintena after 5 months once my doctor was convinced I did not have schizophrenia. It completely cured me of my paranoia but left me, like many others here have described, without any emotion or motivation, which is why my doctor switched me and lowered my dose after complaining. My doctor said the antipsychotic contributed to maybe 5% of my lethargy and the rest was something else-i.e., depression/anxiety. In the end, we both agreed 1 year on the antipsychotics was enough. I am now 1 month off and am starting to feel like myself again. I felt the need to post this because not everyone gives updates. The drug worked, but I would not want to be on it for too long. Hang in there if you are coming off it. It does get better-at least for me."

• Mon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Abilify Maintena for 3 days. I already feel better after being on paliperidone depot, which made me depressed, anxious, and I had had dark thought patterns. Abilify has to be the better medication I've tried. I was diagnosed with bipolar in 2009."

• FMa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 1, 2024

"Continual weight gain (from 47 to 75 kg) (I am 5'0") - lack of energy to do normal tasks or healthy meal prep. Tight tendons and walking difficulty. Difficulty with memory and concentration. Urinary difficulties (frequency, urgency). On higher doses, could hardly get out of bed. Too fatigued to do many normal tasks, even at the lowest doses. Tendency to shuffle feet and prone to falls. Suicidal due to no energy to do anything useful. No sex drive, emotionally flat. I hate taking this medication, and I don't get a choice. Every time I started to come off it, my husband would begin domestic violence and drive me back onto it."

• 144...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2018

For Schizophrenia "This drug is terrible. I can't remember a thing. No desire or passion for anything. Stops my thought process almost entirely. Very scary."