Abilify Maintena User Reviews & Ratings

• 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."

• Ove...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2018

For Schizophrenia "This medication's side effects are far worse than any good it does. If you don't mind sleeping all day, gaining weight, breaking out with zits, becoming a total zombie, and doing nothing productive with your life at all, this is the drug for you. Hearing voices is not so bad in comparison to how bad this drug makes you feel and the want to gamble your life savings away. The second the injection enters your blood, you instantly feel greasy. This stuff is a total joke and has the power to turn a smart and clever individual into a total brainless slug."

• adv...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 13, 2020

For Schizophrenia "Abilify Maintena has changed my life drastically in such positive ways. The AH, VH, and TH are all gone, I am able to function without the distraction of delusions and can hold a steady job and take care of my children. I wouldn't be able to do any of this if it weren't for this injection."

• 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."

• Bur...
• June 25, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Been taking this injection, Abilify Maintena, for the past five months and have had no side effects. I started taking the pill form (with no side effects), but I get stubborn and ambitious and stop taking my meds. Plus, it sucks to take pills every day. This has helped dramatically. My mood is significantly better and, after many years (over five), I’ve finally stabilized. I see my doctor once a month and she gives me the shot. Only downside is the price. There are many ways to get around that though... just communicate with your doctor. I highly recommend this for treatment-resistant depression and mood swings. Saved my life!"

• Clo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 13, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Abilify 400 mg injection at first made me so anxious and felt suicidal. My doctors said it wasn't the drug, it was my depression and anxiety. They persisted with it, as I'm not compliant with tablets. I have bipolar 1 with psychosis. It has helped with psychosis, but the side effects are destroying me. Extreme lethargy and total numbness, physically, mentally, and emotionally. It has made me gain weight also, despite daily exercise. I have no libido whatsoever anymore. When I complain to the psychiatrist, they just say it's not supposed to do that, there must be another reason for these things. I also feel like I have no memory but have impulses to gamble and spend money. I have no energy to fight anymore, it's so sad and disgusting that my quality of life is not a factor to these people, doctors, etc. As long as I'm not in the ward, it's all that matters to them."

• SAL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "TOTAL MISERY FROM ABILIFY INJECTION 400 DOSE! I had to find somewhere to sleep all day and then slept all night too! I immediately gained in 30 days, 30 lbs - they have gone straight to my waistline! Abilify is the worst ever medication! My diagnosis - bipolar disorder & schizoaffective disorder. I was forced into a mental hospital, told that if I refused the meds, I wouldn't be released for 30 days, and I could be released in 14 days if I consented. I didn't know there was an injection too! I would have just waited it out had I known the ill effect that the Abilify injection 400 time release would have on my endocrine system! Totally ruined my lipids."

• nut...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 10, 2016

For Schizophrenia "If you want to sleep between 7-10 hours a day and want a good sex life, this is the medication for you. I have had no side effects, no shakes, tremors, or drowsiness. On Clopixol, I used to sleep up to 20 hours. The doctors will be reluctant to put you on it, as it is very expensive, but if you work or want to return to work or study, this is the medication for you."

• 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."

• 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."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 10, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "This stuff is ugly, it numbs all feelings and desires. I sleep for about 12 to 14 hours. The weight gain is crazy, sexual side effects too. I took this stuff for a year and a half, then stopped cold turkey with no problem. I wouldn't recommend this Abilify Maintena or ever take it again."

• Dud...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 15, 2019

For Schizophrenia "For my schizophrenia, opted in for Abilify Maintena as an alternative to Invega Sustena. Granted that I was on Invega Sustena for between 6-12 months prior with bland emotions at that time, I did some research and gave Abilify Maintena a chance. That was late 2014. Now it's early 2019, and I want everyone to know that by this time, I have regained some emotional ability. I am also able to focus on complex tasks with a significantly better ability than I would be without an antipsychotic. I have concerns, though. I have a physical standing job and I walk to work, and all I can do is maintain my weight within a 10-pound range. I felt good, and the Abilify Maintena kept me resilient when things got tough. For the record, I used to have suicidal thoughts long before starting Abilify Maintena, but I never contemplated it while on it. One last thing: I have always taken a low dosage of Abilify Maintena. I do not ever recommend medium or high dosages to start with."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 28, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I’m on a 400 mg shot for schizophrenia NOS. I don’t recommend lowering the dosage because you get tolerance to it. I was very impulsive and erratic before going on this. I’m on disability, so I could not even maintain working. Doing much better, thinking clearly and hardly any side effects besides tiredness the first month, that is all."

• Haz...
• October 22, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Forced this medication in the hospital and given for 3 months afterwards because of community treatment order. Severe side effects, couldn’t keep still and yet still forced to have the drug. Now left disabled, devoid of emotion, dead to the world. They wouldn’t listen and kept forcing the drug."

• A G...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 11, 2019

For Schizophrenia "So I've been on this Abilify injection (against my will) for a couple of years because my family just wants me to be normal again. And man, do I feel normal! It's so great! (I was being sarcastic... really, really sarcastic.) I can't sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time, I suffer from persistent psychological pain due to anxiety/restless leg, and I have gained 70 lbs! And there's more! If I keep taking it, I'll probably wind up with diabetes! What a great drug to give a permanently disabled veteran to ensure that they live a long, peaceful life! Seriously though... it's terrible. Low quality of life in exchange for little to no psychotic symptoms... bad trade. Find something else that works for your condition!!"

• 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."

• Sil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 26, 2020

For Schizophrenia "This med really hasn't helped my voices at all. I'd say at most it takes the edge off my anger. I had the typical side effects, which were pretty bad, but I also had what I thought was EPS, extrapyramidal side effects in the form of hand movements. Upon withdrawal of the med, I experienced an explosion of tics, both motor and vocal. I went back on the med, and the tics were a bit better but persisted. They include inappropriate tics and are unpredictable. I'm not a fan of any of the antipsychotics, frankly, but I would be wary of the risk of movement disorders in this med."

• MHR...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2017

For Schizophrenia "This medicine provided so much hope regarding the struggle to find any medicine that would help the combative nature of schizophrenia. Only Abilify Maintena injection has improved my son's thought processes. He has been less delusional, more lucid for the first time in 12 years. The anger and frustration of daily life has calmed. It truly is life-changing. I pray that this medicine can help billions more angry, raging, delusional young men and young women. Thank goodness for this injection being on the market for this sad disease that has ruined so many lives in the past. Now I have hope going forward for all diseases that rob the mind and thoughts of many persons. Thank you."

• vin...
• January 8, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "It's not for me. Six weeks on, and I cannot wait till it's out of my system. Makes me feel like I can't stay in one place too long. It has ruined my sleep and has made me unsocial. I am not saying it's a bad drug, just not for me..."

• Smo...
• January 2, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I've been on some form of Abilify injection for 4 years. I have never missed a monthly dose. Started 400 mg for 2 years, 300 mg for 2 years, and just got my first 200 mg in Jan 2020 for schizoaffective disorder. I will never be tapered off, but the point in lowering is to maintain stability, but at the same time control the insatiable desire the meds give me to eat. Also to try and get back some of the energy the meds just simply take away - energy to cook, clean, and exercise. I have been trying different meds for 10 years, and Abilify is my preferred. After refusing those other antipsychotic meds that have literally been around forever, Abilify injection seemed to be a happy medium, and you don’t have to take a pill every day (because I know I won’t). If you find being on an antipsychotic indefinitely is your reality, Abilify makes things easier. With the injection lasting a month long, it’s very incognito and doesn’t remind you that you are being treated - like taking a pill every day."

• Flo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 7, 2017

For Schizophrenia "Forced onto this medication via a CTO. Delusions are still strong and troublesome. Doctors have no idea how to treat this condition. Side effects include insomnia, anxiety, constantly feeling sick, and I have therefore lost weight. This medication is completely ineffective, and it is easier to live with the delusions without the negative side effects."

• 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."

• Enj...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2021

For Schizophrenia "Stuff will ruin your freaking life, you will be sick, fat, and lonely. Can this stuff be made illegal already? I get forced to take this stuff in NH, USA. Really nasty stuff. I need help getting rid of it or purifying it."

• roy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 3, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Before Abilify, I was in and out of the hospital for years. They had me on olanzapine, and it made me feel like a slug, so I would stop taking it and end up back in the hospital because of manic attacks. They finally suggested this med for me, and it has really worked! I don't feel manic, I can think clearly, I feel normal emotions, and I have a decent amount of energy. The only side effect I had was that it made me feel sick for the first month every morning. It has really worked for me, but you have to give it a month for it to actually work if you are on it."

• Mai...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 15, 2023

For Schizophrenia "My son has been on Maintena 400 mgs since 2019. First of all, all the negative and positive symptoms disappeared, his constant nightmares became less and less frequent. He only keeps a minor tic in his right hand. Apart from this and some weight gain (14 pounds), Maintena has been a miracle. He managed to finish his degree in Law and is currently studying a Master's. Recently, his psychiatrist decided to reduce the dose to 300 mgs, and he’s doing very well."