Abilify Maintena and Restlessness: What Users Say

• Aby...
• March 24, 2020

For Schizophrenia "Been on aripiprazole for a year and a half now. I cannot sleep, only getting about 3 hours a night, restlessness, and spending money. My lifestyle is completely different from before. It might not seem it, but I was aggressive and hearing voices. Also, the TV would interfere with my actions. Now, taking this medication, I feel somewhat better. Really, I don't get myself into so much trouble, like arguing and shouting, but now I am calm and confident and can laugh again."

• Lou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 13, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Starting in 2003, I have had problems. By 2009, it increased, and my family finally took it seriously when I tried to jump out of my mother's vehicle. In 2012, I saw a new psychiatrist who finally got me stable on Abilify Maintena 400 mg dose. It has been a miracle drug for me. Side effects suck, but I can deal with the weight gain, I guess. To counteract the fatigue, I also take Nuvigil and Vyvanse, which I can sleep through, these drugs, that is how strong the fatigue is. But I am functional, happy, and have no crazy wild thoughts. If I do have them, they are not as strong, and I tend to just shrug them off. I can tell the shot is working because at the end of the month, I start getting irritable and sad, and immediately when I take it, I feel better. Oddly enough, I cannot take Abilify in pill form because it causes akathisia. I have tried every psychiatric drug there is, and nothing has gotten me to where I am today except Abilify Maintena."

• Kyr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I have a delusional disorder. I had a good experience. Calmed me down to the point I wasn't making rash actions and statements. Benefits: ups your dopamine in the right places, lowers it in the right places (rather than just lowering it altogether). Side effects: little to no side effects. There is a slightly dulled or sedating sensation... and at the same time, a little restlessness. But unlike when on other antipsychotics, I was able to go about my daily activities (and enjoy them). Dosage: 400 mg, also available in 300 mg injection. Ease of use: nurse comes straight to my door to administer. You might have to go to a hospital to get it done if you don't have a nurse. Notes: combines well with Zoloft (sertraline). Highly recommend this drug if you have to take it to stay out of the hospital. If you have to choose between this and Invega Sustenna, always take this one."

• 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."