Abilify Maintena User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• 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."

• Dee...
• August 25, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been diagnosed with comorbid bipolar II and ADHD. It has been such a struggle, trying different cocktails. The reason I give Abilify a 5 is because it had treated my bipolar II, I have not had any manic episodes within the past 5 months I’ve received the 400 mg injection. However, I am starting to feel that numb and empty feeling again (no sex drive and not many pleasant emotions either). It’s so miserable, I wish it was a faster process instead of having to wait until my next doctor's appointment to tell him to take me off this or at least lower my dose. From previous experience, I do not stop a medication without consulting my doctor, and I would highly recommend doing the same as it can lead to detriment in your life if you have manic episodes such as myself. Right now, though, I wish I could just stop it so I have more energy. I’m also on Lamictal and Dexedrine. I won’t give up, and I hope that those of you struggling can remain resilient in your search for a cure."

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I have been using Abilify Maintena for 2 months now. I had very little problems with my illness to begin with, but my psychiatrist decided to put me on it due to the many troubles I caused to some people a while ago. The drug has had very little to 0 therapeutic effect for me. In fact, now I have less motivation and a big social anxiety. I was previously on Xeplion (Invega Sustenna), and Abilify is still a lot better than Xeplion because it has a lot fewer side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2023

For Schizophrenia "Schizophrenia took away the love of my life for years after he started this miracle injection. I see the person I fell in love with, not just sometimes like before, but all the time, consistently with no delusions. It's only been 2 weeks, but I can see it working. The laughing and authentic smile on his face makes me know the nightmare is over, and we can start to build our lives together. Very thankful for this drug."

• Gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I shared my experience once already. But I need to share it again. It has been now 4 months since I took Abilify Maintena. And with the help of the pill form, I feel like the side effects are really subsiding. I gained 20 lbs, but at least I feel somewhat normal again."

• IST...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 20, 2025

"I was given the Abilify 1.5 mg pills while I was pregnant. I always wanted to sue that doctor. Only for 4 months on and off Abilify Maintena shots & pills since 2017 for having psychotic attacks and paranoid schizophrenia (hearing voices, thinking people are after you from phone-TV). I always believed it was the Special Forces from my country, these voices, as it was in my language, but I'm in Canada. I still think the same and probably will never change. Sometimes it didn't work for months to make the voices disappear. From 400 mg for 2 times dropped to 200 mg. Doctor drops the dosage every 4 cycles. That's 4 months. Eventually, in a year or so, the voices disappeared. Last time it took a lot of effort & police to force me to take it. My doctor said you will be off it soon. He also put me on Adderall XR for narcolepsy & ADHD. Police doesn't care at all, and they are not doctors to determine if you are crazy or not, it's not something that is provable. RCMP needs to respect the rights of people who do not want the treatment."

• A A...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 6, 2018

For Schizophrenia "I was put on this injection after my insurance wouldn't cover any other injection other than Prolixin. I was covered for this injection through the Prelapse Study. Now if anyone has ever been on Prolixin, you should know that the effects are extremely bad, so being on Abilify Maintena was a godsend. It overall changed me completely to where I am functioning at a normal state and haven't been in the hospital since I have been put on this injection. I do have some side effects from the injection, which most notably is the uncontrollable muscle movements, which I am uncertain if this is unrelated to the drug itself or if I have a form of Tourette's. Also, I did notice some uncontrollable urges in spending money/gambling, more than what I thought I would have normally done. Overall, to be honest, the benefits outweigh the cons in my concern."

• Gre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 2, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I have used the Abilify Maintena for 7-8 months. All the side effects have almost disappeared except for the anxiety. My psychiatrist has agreed to put me off of it. I guess the anxiety will wear off within a couple of months."

• 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."

• Jos...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 31, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I am on 300 mg injection and experience difficulty breathing and problems with the waterworks, and my face is constantly moving when walking. I take multiple supplements to counteract the effects of the drug, including serra enzyme for my shaking in the arms. I have been admitted to the hospital for low blood sugar, and the drug is extremely oppressive to expect me to take it."

• 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."

• Fri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 13, 2019

"Since starting this medication on May 23, 2019, I have gained 14 lbs. That's approximately 1 lb. per day. Aside from the weight gain, this medication manages my mania and keeps it at bay. It also has helped make me more myself, getting out and active like I always used to be."

• sam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 19, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "This is my story. 20 years ago, I developed clinical depression, possibly bipolar. That was bad enough, but the change in brain chemistry plunged me into immediate, overnight alcoholism. Nothing worked for 20 years. This drug cured my alcoholism. I am a normal drinker now. I have no idea why this drug cured my alcoholism, but it did."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 24, 2023

"I suffer from PTSD and am constantly tired and also suffer from inappropriately timed narcolepsy. I have gained at least 50 lbs. My blood pressure has skyrocketed, and my heart rate is no longer what I consider fit. 154/95 BP; 81 heart rate. I have constant difficulty swallowing, and my sleep apnea has worsened. I am constantly despondent and troubled by my health deterioration."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2024

"My C-PTSD got misdiagnosed as schizophrenia three times in involuntary stay at the hospital after fighting with my narcissistic toxic parents. The second time, they forced me on 3 olanzapine injections which had terrible side effects I could not live with. However, at this hospitalization, they gave me two Maintena shots and I have almost no side effects. My libido is still there, I'm not a zombie, I didn't gain weight, and I don't sleep 14 hours a day. It calmed my stressed state out (I don't have schizophrenia), but I have C-PTSD symptoms that it worked on in some way. I heard terrible things about other injections like Invega as well. If you have to get one, get this. It's the best antipsychotic out there, I would say. 10/10."

• Mar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 21, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "This is an amazing medication! It has stabilized me like no other medication. I have been receiving injections since October 2016 to show how effective it's been. I'm also on Depakote ER, and Abilify Maintena has worked wonderfully with it. I sometimes have trouble remembering to take my medications or falling asleep before I take my night medications, so the fact that it's only a once-a-month injection works perfectly for me. I haven't seemed to have any side effects from it, either."

• MLF...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 17, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "My left eyelid gets stuck closed every morning, no discharge in the eye. Shortness of breath and also heart pains occasionally. I am seeing a Neuro Ophthalmologist, he cannot find anything wrong with me. I am also seeing a cardiologist and he can't find anything wrong with me. So, my family doctor thinks it's my shot causing these side effects."

• Bio...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "I received an injection to treat my bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Before getting the shot, I researched the reviews and learned that drowsiness was a common side effect. I have also noticed a slight slowing of my motor skills. It is important to note that the shot amplifies the effects of normal Abilify pill dosages. Initially, I was excited about the shot as it promised to help with my delusions and improve my functionality. However, I would advise making sure you have a strong reason for taking the shot, as it can make you feel sluggish. Overall, it is important to consider the potential side effects and weigh them against the benefits before making a decision."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2023

For Schizophrenia "It has fewer side effects compared to other antipsychotics, however, one side effect to be aware of is insomnia. I think overall, with how few side effects it has, it can be worth it for some people. It's also activating rather than sedating compared to other antipsychotics, so that's a plus too."

• Gol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 10, 2023

For Schizophrenia "This medicine is a life changer! It's helped me live an almost completely normal life along with monitoring and therapy. I highly suggest you take a look at it if you are taking an oral antipsychotic and having trouble adhering to a medication regimen and/or don't want to have to think about another thing to take every day. I don't really notice large peaks and valleys as I was told to possibly expect with an extended-release medication. Also, the manufacturer has a huge coupon this year 2023."

• Cry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Abilify for just over a month. I have found a big difference in my moods. As of today, December 19th, 2022, I take the Abilify injection but still have to take Abilify tablets for 2 weeks, that's how long it takes to get into your system. I like it, it works well for me."

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

"Continual weight gain (from 47 >> 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. 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."

• 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."