Abilify and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Kri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 31, 2018

For Autism "My 7.5-year-old son has high-functioning autism, and we had tried 10 different medications in the past almost 3 years with zero success. Finally, we tried Abilify, and it has been a miracle drug. He eats like crazy but has no weight gain, but he is super active. He is so happy most of the time, getting great grades now, and wants to go to school. What a Godsend! 2 mg at night."

• Sun...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 19, 2020

For Depression "This drug, Abilify, made me gain 60 lbs over 3.5 years. It did nothing for me. Be aware. It will make you want to eat! This did absolutely nothing for me. Finally, came off of it and feeling better than when I was on it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2013

For Autism "My autistic 12-year-old son was put on a low dose of Abilify in August 2012 to help with mood swings and anxiety. His emotions stabilized beautifully, but he gained an excessive amount of weight and an extreme increase in appetite. In a matter of 5 months, he went from 100 pounds to 139 pounds. We've had to stop the Abilify and find an alternative so we can work on getting him to a healthier BMI."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2018

For Agitated State "From the time my son could walk, he was getting into trouble; he always had problematic tendencies and was very defiant. Everything, I mean EVERYTHING, was a fight. Life was a struggle. He started attending daycare at 3.5 years and ultimately got kicked out. He was put on blood pressure medicine at the age of 4, which hardly did anything. ADHD medication, methamphetamine, at age 5 only worsened his symptoms. Risperidone at 6 years, which took the edge off, but he became more irritable only after 3 months. And Abilify at age 7, and thus far his behavior, aggression, and attention span have improved, and everyone in the household and school does nothing but compliment how well-mannered he is!!! (I never thought this day would come.) Yes, he has gained weight, but the benefits outweigh the side effects. I’m so grateful for this medication!!!! Finding what works or doesn’t work has been a trial-and-error process, but in my mind, Abilify is a miracle drug."

• Kwo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 8, 2019

For Depression "Life changer for me. I am using 2 mg of generic Abilify with 450 mg Wellbutrin and 40 mg Prozac. I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) 12 years ago and my thought process has a major improvement since being on these. I gained 8 lbs but could be from the increase of Prozac from 20 mg to 40 mg given at the same time as Abilify."

• Mac...
• December 31, 2020

For Autism "My son was prescribed Abilify years ago on a low dosage, and it seemed to help him a lot. He had some weight gain, but not much. As he got older and bigger, he started having issues again, and he was taken off Abilify and put on Risperidone. It was a complete disaster, and things got bad really, really fast. Eventually, he was put back on Abilify at a higher dosage and taken off Risperidone, and things are much better. I recommend Abilify over Risperidone any day for autism."

• Liz...
• December 29, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Trileptal by itself for a long time. That helped at first, but I never quite felt normal. I then hit a stressful point in my life and began having a lot of mania and depression. I started neglecting my meds, feeling hopeless. My doctor then suggested I take Abilify 5 mg in addition to the Trileptal. After seeing reviews about weight gain, increased mania, etc., I was wary about trying it, but I decided to. I have not gained any weight from the med (I am 5’4", 115 lbs, young female). The first few days I was switching rapidly between manic and depressed and had a lot of insomnia. However, after about 3-4 days, I noticed for the first time in 5 years I feel like myself again. I haven’t been this leveled and happy in so long. I rarely have depressive or manic episodes, which is something I thought was impossible. Definitely give this a try and don’t be discouraged by the first few days. It’s so worth it."

• Anonymous
• March 4, 2012

For Autism "Our 11-year-old son with autism began Abilify mainly to combat fears (thunder, loud sounds, etc.) and to allow him to calm down. It helped with that. It also regulated his sleep cycle very nicely. But he has put on a lot of weight. I tried taking him off of it, but the facial hitting (he hits himself) and screaming were really bad. Overall a good, benign medicine."

• Rid...
• December 18, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Abilify was the first medication prescribed following my bipolar diagnosis. I was told it had a side effect of weight gain. When I first started it, for 14 days, I was MISERABLE...I couldn't eat, sleep, use the restroom, lay down without fidgeting, focus, or stop thinking super fast. But on day 15, all those awful effects disappeared. I never experienced anything bad other than weight gain. I had the same side effects weaning off it. (That was 300+ pounds ago. I didn't change my eating or exercising habits.) In 2017, my new psychiatrist changed medications, and I dropped 41 pounds in two years, the Abilify slowed my metabolism. I mainly noticed how it gave me a sense of controlled well-being. In the 15 years I took it, I only missed two doses. I figured if I did my part, took medication, and stayed actively involved in my own therapy, then life would be the best it could."

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2012

For Autism "My 6-year-old was on Abilify for two months. His temper tantrums and ability to concentrate were greatly improved, however, he gained 20 pounds and the doctor took him off it. He was also very weepy and emotional on it."

• CJa...
• March 6, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Abilify for 7 months now, 15 mg. Initially, for the first month, I felt restless but full of energy. I had mild nausea that made me lose 7 lbs. Then, over time, these symptoms disappeared, and I experienced calmness. No paranoia anymore, and my negative thoughts have been reduced dramatically. So did my manic episodes and my depression, so I’m now stable. However, I've put on 18 lbs, even with exercising every day, I can’t seem to shift the weight! But the good overrides the bad. I recommend this medication for BPD and bipolar, it’s changed my life."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2019

For Autism "My 13-year-old has been on this for about 6 months, and the dose went from 5 to 10 mg to 20 mg, and we're holding there. Weight gain has been from 165 to 215 lbs. She is 5'8'', so the size of an adult lady. She is so much more in control of her emotions. Her rages are gone, her meltdowns are gone, she is more normal than I've ever seen her be. She gets along with friends and family better. She feels better on it as well. She says she can focus and feels in control of herself."

• Anonymous
• March 18, 2010

For Agitated State "My Daughter has ADHD with a high level of aggression, she is eleven. This medicine has so far been a miracle for her and for all of us too. It has been about six weeks and she has only experienced a small amount of weight gain. She is more focused at school and not fighting with friends, teachers, and family. She is doing homework and cleaning her room. She doesn't seem to have any sleep problems. I will watch the weight gain and look for signs of muscle reactions. Otherwise I am praying this medicine continues the way it has because I have not yelled for the first time in 9 or 10 years and she is happy. More doctors need to step away from Concerta and that family of drugs if they see they don't work or cause the aggression."

• Sca...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 7, 2015

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I'm 66 years old and had been treated with a myriad of drugs for bipolar and schizoaffective disorder, including psychoses, mood swings, delusions, and hallucinations, for over 30 years when I was put on Abilify. It was like someone flipped a switch and I got my life back. I am virtually symptom-free for over twelve years now, and the only side effect has been some weight gain which, at my age, is a fair trade. Truly a wonder drug."

• RoQ...
• June 16, 2015

For Depression "I started on 2.5 mg, and it really worked in conjunction with Prozac to pull me out of deep depression. Eventually, my doctor said it was okay to reduce to 1.25 mg since I had gained weight. I eventually gained more weight, my sugars and cholesterol rose, and I shake slightly now. I decided to stop completely, and that was a BIG mistake. This drug has serious withdrawal symptoms, even at a low dose like mine. The recommended weaning process is 10% less for 30 days, then a 30-day waiting period to adjust. I am currently on 1.125 mg, and I'm starting to have some withdrawal symptoms, but not too bad like stopping cold turkey. I experienced panic attacks, anxiety, fearfulness, agoraphobia, and nausea."

• Pen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2019

For Depression "Started this 3 weeks ago. First week took 2.5 mg once daily. Felt almost immediately better, that faded after the first week when I was instructed to go to 5 mg. One daily. After 3 weeks, I’m still depressed, just not quite as bad: insomnia, increased appetite, weight gain 3 lbs, a feeling I can’t sit still, difficulty focusing. Joint and muscle aches, fatigue, and binge shopping on the internet. It’s not helping with suicidal ideations. I’m getting off it."

• Jes...
• March 12, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Day one: TERRIBLE! Very tired, had to stay home from work. Day two: Getting better. Very tired in the morning but the day improved. Day three: Wonderful! I am not sure what 'normal' is, but if this is it, I am in heaven. Awake, focused, appropriate amount of energy, easygoing mood, less irritable, and lower anxiety (could be the Xanax on the last one). I am just beginning the medication, but typically meds have a quick effect on me and stick. I have not noticed any unusual appetite increases, but I am certainly going to keep an eye on it because I noticed a large percentage experience weight gain. As my fiancé says-mental health is more important than gaining a few pounds anyway."

• Goo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2020

For Autism "My son, 17, has been on Abilify for the last three months, and his transitions from one thing to the next are a lot less amplified, and his concentration is stronger. It has only been three months, though, so I will bookmark this page and let you know how he is in three more months. He's been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome since he was 5 years old. Perhaps it works better on AS? He could definitely gain some weight since he is on a weightlifting program. He is a lot less argumentative. He also is a devout believer in biblical Christianity, so coupled with prayer, Bible study, and staying away from sexual or violent movies and video games, this makes a difference in his overall health."

• cee...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 16, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I am diagnosed bipolar, and I have tried Lamictal, Lithium, Latuda, and I don't even know how many other combinations. Abilify was the only one that has shown results for me. Yes, it tends to make me tired about 4-5 hours after taking it. And it makes me eat like a piggy sometimes, which has caused some weight gain. But nothing too severe. I take 5 mg in the morning and 5 mg at night, the perfect dose for me. It keeps my moods perfectly balanced, but I have been taking Abilify since I was 15, and I am now 20 and do not plan on stopping it anytime soon. I have tried that, and it did not end well."

• LDa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was on Abilify 2 mg 12/18-02/19, along with 20 mg of Lexapro. First 10 days, I felt euphoric, energetic, motivated, excited about life. Well, it came to a screeching halt. I was fidgety, pacing back and forth, would sit and wiggle my feet and legs, was gaining weight, wasn't sleeping, and thought I was going crazy. I continued to take it for another 6 weeks to give it a chance. That was a mistake. It was all I could do to make it through a whole workday. I thought I was going out of my mind. I have been off it for 2 years and still have mild side effects, still fidgety, have restless feet and legs, and don't sleep much. As for depression, I feel I was better off before Abilify than now. I appreciate that it has been a wonderful drug for many, but where there are so many uncertainties about its effects, I would research it thoroughly before taking it. I don't think most doctors, including psychiatrists, have the slightest clue how horrible this drug is for most. I would never recommend it to anyone."

• M_R...
• July 25, 2016

For Depression "I started taking Abilify to complement years of taking Effexor. I am on 5 mg and am experiencing many of the symptoms I am reading about here - weight gain, feelings of emptiness, and craving for sweets. The good part of it is all the depressing and worrisome voices are out of my head. The bad thing is the emptiness, but I figure I should fill that void with good things - hobbies, music, more quality time with my beautiful wife. Maybe that's the healing, not the pill."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Abilify was the cause of the worst year of my life. Massive depression and constantly comatose. I was like a zombie. I woke up in the morning thinking, “When do I get to go back to sleep?” Suicidal thoughts were frequent. My wife would frequently comment on how I wasn’t myself, how I didn’t talk anymore. I was a shell. I also gained 20 lbs (I’m a skinny guy with a high metabolism). When I finally detoxed from the drug, I had energy again. My weight gain is now mostly gone, and I engage with my family and am more present. Abilify was the worst thing I have ever done to myself."

• Swb...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 18, 2016

For Depression "I have been on 20 mg of Abilify now for about 10 years. When I first began taking it, I gained over 100 pounds in 6 months. I finally stopped gaining at 250. I have tried everything to take the weight off. Nothing. My doctor added 20 mg of Lexapro. I gained 30 more pounds. I am going to stop taking the Abilify as the weight gain is causing health issues. I just hope the weight will come off."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 31, 2016

For Autism "The med did make him gain weight in the beginning, but I put him in a special needs track, and I make him go hiking, walking, and running to help keep him fit. He is the size for his height. I noticed a lot of people said weight gain. We initially needed the med for my son, who is 14 years old and autistic, semi to nonverbal, who became somewhat aggressive once puberty hit, and I had no choice. So he has been on it for about 2 years, and it seems to be working, but I fear what will happen if he ever is taken off of it."

• Pan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2021

For Agitated State "I have been suffering major anxiety and fear since puberty. It got much worse after having a child. After trying SSRIs, I felt like a zombie with no motivation. I used to drink alcohol a lot to suppress the anxiety too, which led to tons of problems in my life. Since taking Abilify, I feel like a normal person! I feel like the person I wanted to be. It has increased my appetite a lot, and the first week I couldn’t sleep, but now after a couple of weeks I’m calm and sleeping well. I’m afraid of the weight gain associated with this drug, but a few extra pounds is better than crippling anxiety and substance abuse."