Abilify and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Red...
• December 6, 2015

For Autism "My 8-year-old has been on Abilify for almost a year now. She has gained about 30 lbs, but she is very active and still fit. She is autistic and has severe aggression tendencies toward herself and others. She had been on Risperidol before, and it did nothing for her. Now, she takes 11 ml, and we increase it 1 ml every four weeks until she is more stable. She has greatly improved on this medication but still has a long way to go."

• Mac...
• November 22, 2017

For Depression "So I went on Abilify about a year to two years ago, and it made me gain 50 lbs in less than 6 months. A lot of my depression ties into my self-worth and body image issues, so gaining so much weight (along with hundreds of stretch marks) definitely damaged my self-worth and thus made my depression worse. Plus, I didn't feel like it made any difference in my life whether I took it or not. Worked for 2-4 weeks then quit working."

• bpp...
• June 11, 2015

For Depression "Abilify worked wonders for my chronic depression, but I was sleeping heaps and gained 35 kilos in two years. No, I wasn't eating much! Started only eating one meal a day when the weight started. It was not about food. Prior to Abilify, I went to the gym four times a week. Gained weight despite what I ate and how much I exercised. I ended up quitting the gym and now my head's straight, but I am obese and suffer from poor self-esteem. Eh, big price for my sanity since I detest being fat. The pill itself does work though and treats it."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2021

For Depression "I was on Cipralex, and it did virtually nothing. Before I went on pills, I told my doctor I was hesitant on starting any sort of pill because I had worked really hard for 1.5 years to get in shape and was worried about weight gain. My doctor put me on Cipralex, it did nothing, so she added Abilify. Within 3 months, I had gained over 28 pounds. Zero diet change, no lifestyle changes, I was just packing on the pounds week by week. After looking in the mirror and seeing what I have physically become, I have never felt more disgusted by my appearance. I immediately stopped taking the Abilify, and the weight gain pretty much stopped in its tracks. Taking Abilify has been the biggest regret of my life, all of the work I did on myself was down the drain within 3 months. I went off them, and I have not been able to lose the weight since. It has been 4 months of extreme dieting, but nothing helps. I'm overweight again. This has started a bunch of new mental and body issues, I wish I could give it a 0."

• Coc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Abilify 5 mg for 3 weeks now (taking for bipolar). I'm naturally a restless person, so I like the feeling of having to do something all the time. It makes me feel like I'm contributing. Sleeping about 5-6 hours a night. Weight gain of about 2 lbs. I feel better and a little more connected to my husband and kids as compared to when I was on Quetiapine."

• Gol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Started on Abilify in addition to Effexor and Lamictal. Immediately had tremors in hands, lips, and speech. Gained weight and was anxious. Stopped taking when I ran out; tremors stopped, lost weight, and no noticeable negative consequences. Don't know why it was prescribed, but it caused more problems than it helped. Side effects were terrible."

• Anonymous
• July 18, 2012

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been on Abilify for about 5 months now. It works wonders for my OCD, but it makes me restless and non-emotional. It might sound good to not be emotional, but when I say that, I mean happiness too. It numbs me. I have also gained 15 pounds, and so I am coming off the medicine slowly."

• Dav...
• August 14, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking Abilify for eight months now. Although it made me gain 15-20 kg (something like 33-40 lbs, I believe?), my experience is quite positive. The sadness from my major depressive episode, as well as my suicidal thoughts, have been almost annihilated. The reason why I rated it as a six is that it didn't help ease the great fatigue I have. But it helped a lot, that is for sure."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have major depression and was prescribed Abilify. The pros: It lifted me out of an incredibly deep depression and allowed me to feel better in a relatively quick amount of time. I was able to go back to work and started to socialize within a week of taking the medication after months of having difficulties getting out of bed. It stopped my compulsive thoughts and thinking patterns. The cons: Feeling of restlessness on the drug, unable to enjoy downtime and relax. I always felt like I had to be doing something constantly and keep busy. Weight gain: I was one of the 7% of people affected by this, where the drug slowed down my metabolism, and I gained 15 lbs in six months. Even with regular exercise (three times per week) and eating healthy, I still gained weight."

• kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "After the loss of my emotional support animal and 5 months of being completely shut off from the world and my husband. My psychiatrist started me on Abilify 5 mg at first (already on Paxil, Lamictal, Adderall, and clonazepam). The first 2 days were amazing, my head was quiet, but the headaches were horrible, along with increased anxiety and nausea that was decreased with constant eating. So I discontinued it. We tried again at 2 mg a month later since I started to self-harm and was overwhelmed with life altogether without the support of my best friend. 2 mg was great, I was even studying for 30 minutes every other day. But I was so jumpy. Startled easily and constantly, and uncontrollable movements at times. But no headaches, so I was all for it. Then after 2 weeks, BOOM, stopped cleaning and stopped walking. Complete apathy, loss of sex drive, and dry mouth, dry stools (never a problem, I actually love using the restroom minimum 2 times a day) went down to 1 time forcefully and quickly gained weight. Discontinued back to normal."

• IKa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "After trying a bunch of different avenues to help my depression, I was put on Abilify. I got up to an 8 mg dose before I couldn’t handle the weight gain anymore. I gained 8 lbs in over a month and a half. It really did improve my mood, but once the weight gain starts, it doesn’t stop. I’ve stopped taking it. If you’re okay with packing on the lbs, do try this medication. It is effective."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've never been diagnosed as schizophrenic, but this made me paranoid and delusional. Strong twitching and noticeable jerking movements, intense anger, frustration, anxiety, unwanted intrusive thoughts, weight gain, and various other symptoms. In response, my psychiatrist increased the dose of aripiprazole and added additional meds to combat the symptoms. I stopped seeing friends, stopped attending events I had been going to on a weekly basis for years. Eventually, I couldn't even go into a grocery store. Two days after discontinuing aripiprazole (with new doc's blessing), I landed in a psychiatric ward. It never occurred to me that it was the medication's side effects and not me, my mind, my inability to just put on my 'big girl pants' and deal with life. Approximately six years since then, and my mind is not the same, I'm not the same. The fallout is real. Then, I was working full-time, just promoted, and in school. Now, I'm on disability. It works for some, but please proceed with caution."

• mys...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I would hide at home for months, shaking when a telephone rang. I couldn't let people go and had obsessive thoughts. Abilify gave me calm, confidence, and hope. It made me less sensitive to light and time, I was no longer at the mercy of each passing moment. I woke up relaxed, went to bed without a noise in my head, inner voices stopped criticizing me, thoughts didn't race. I was creative but focused and began wonderful new projects. Had NO side effects-NO weight gain. 'Worked magic that first day. But after a month, it seemed to do nothing but make me sad. Evidently, that was a manic phase. It blocks my mania, but not my depressive switch. Feels like I've traded manic depression for unipolar depression. I am being switched to lithium."

• SCA...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 2, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "To anyone just starting Abilify, please reconsider. I started it as an add-on to Lexapro. Initially, it helped me feel like getting out of bed in the morning with slightly more energy or a better outlook, or I just wasn't as groggy when I woke up. Initially, that was helpful, and I got the Rx free or cheap, so I took it for over 2 years. When I finally realized all these new problems were connected to Abilify, it was too late... 50 lb weight gain, constant involuntary movements of fingers, toes, and tongue, mouth sores, wild, harmful actions with no conscience or regret, many more. Then the worst withdrawal symptoms... I wished for death for months, it was so awful. A year after stopping, I'm still not the same and probably never will be."

• Ian...
• January 19, 2014

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Definitely my favorite. I'm so put down by my mood stabilizer that I never got manic on it. Weight gain for me is self-induced, not medication-induced. It ups a lot of things that make you smarter. Scholastically, I do well on it. Nice medicine."

• mom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2017

For Depression "I have been taking 450 mg of bupropion and 20 mg escitalopram for about 3 years, and the combination has been working pretty well to control my depression and anxiety. I had breakthrough depression a couple of times a week, when I would feel guilty about random things, worry about things I couldn't control, and get pretty 'weepy.' My doctor prescribed Abilify, starting at 2.5 mg and increased it to 5 mg. This helped a lot! However, I gained 25 pounds in 3 months. I am tapering off Abilify and will start 25 mg of Lamictal tomorrow."

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "Abilify was great for depression, but the side effects were unreal. I was on Abilify for 2 months and had gained 30 pounds. That was about 3 months ago. I'm still trying to lose the weight and find a good med for my depression and anxiety. I wouldn't suggest Abilify, just because it makes you crave like crazy, and there are other meds out there that won't give you crazy cravings!"

• Lou...
• April 2, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I'm on Abilify and no longer hearing voices, but I still see people who aren't there. Even while on the highest dose of this medication, 400 mg injection. I also feel like a zombie most of the time. I'm too tired even to go grocery shopping at times. I'm myself again, but I'm not quite the same. I've gained weight, 30 plus pounds, and I've been on the drug for 3 years. I tried going off of it to 300, and the side effects were my moodiness returned. Sometimes I question if my diagnosis was correct or if they are just pushing this drug out to anyone who claims they are depressed."

• xfr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2022

For Depression "I will not have enough space to share all of the horrifying side effects. My resting heart rate went from 64 to 100 on day one. Stomach pain was intolerable. Constipation. Agitation. Brain fog. Hallucinations, constantly seeing bugs that weren't there. Exhaustion. 20 lb weight gain in 3 weeks. Intense food and cigarette cravings. Terrifying and vivid nightmares. Wanting to attempt suicide after 3 weeks on a very low dose, and the doctor told me to stop the meds. The most horrifying side effects I've ever had on a pill. Coming off the med after 3 weeks was a nightmare too."

• Aus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2021

For Depression "Was on Abilify for 3 weeks, and I noticed almost right away I became very moody, impulsive, and angry. It did nothing to help the depression, the anhedonia is still there, which is what it was supposed to help with. I also gained 10 pounds in 3 weeks and felt a constant appetite, which is typical of antipsychotics. My advice to anyone with depression is to use medication only as a last resort. After diet, exercise, and therapy, and all other things you can try, and that's where I'm at now: what will I do to battle my anhedonia and feel normal again. Well, after years of trying med after med, I'm done with medicine."

• Ama...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 11, 2022

For Autism "My 12-year-old daughter has severe ADHD, PTSD, and we are still looking into Autism. She started taking Abilify when she was 5 years old due to massive tantrums. It was a miracle when she started taking it. When she was 8 years old, I asked the doctor to change her medication because she seemed to have developed a tolerance and it no longer was working as well. At first, I didn’t see how downhill it sent her. She wasn’t throwing the tantrums anymore. But for the first time, she started having major problems at school. Not with her behavior so much as her lack of self-control. She was singing or humming and completely unable to focus. It took going to a new doctor to get her back on after 4 years off of it. The difference is again life-changing. She has not had any weight gain or side effects."

• Abi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 17, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I had severe PTSD due to childhood abuse and sexual assault, had resulting severe depression/severe anxiety/severe suicidality because of the PTSD. Never been medically psychotic in my life, however. Anyways, I went from a 5'4" woman at 100 lbs to 170 lbs in a year thanks to Abilify. The weight gain was absolutely crushing and completely demoralizing. Abilify did very little to improve or stabilize my mood. When I went on it, I was suicidal. When I finally went off of it, I was obese and more suicidal, and to this day deal with disordered eating because of how horrific such rapid weight gain was. One year off of it, I'm back down to 128 lbs, but holy moly did Abilify ruin my life for a good period of time. My body is still recovering. As for the PTSD? I had to deal with the root grief about the untold pain I lived through. An intense medication meant for psychotic patients didn't help me mourn in the slightest."

• Anonymous
• December 26, 2011

For Depression "After a couple of days on 2 mg Abilify added to my Zoloft and Lamictal, the fog began to clear up a bit. (It reminds me of that Claritin commercial when everything all of a sudden on the TV screen becomes more clear and less fuzzy). That was a warm welcome after 25 years of, on and off 'anti-depressant poop-out'! However, I am most certain that it has caused weight gain! I do not EVER weigh myself (past eating disorder issue), but my clothes are tighter around the waist. BUT I AM NOT EATING ANY DIFFERENTLY! In fact, I have made a concerted effort to eat less but nothing seems to give! Is it fluid? I'm baffled! Yes, I'm 43 now, but my metabolism wouldn't come to a screeching halt so quickly, would it?"

• NoA...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 10, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been taking Abilify for 10 years. I started when I was 16 years old after a mental breakdown and going to be 26 years old on October. I never went over 15 mg. I'm currently taking 2.5 mg, and I find it quite effective. I did gain some weight, 15 lb at the beginning, but your mental health is very important. If you want to keep healthy and not gain weight while taking Abilify, just eat healthy and hit the gym. I'm 5'6, have a curvy/slim toned body, and I take Abilify, and I feel great with my body. I'm 145 lbs with muscle weight, and I'm quite happy, I'm planning on some abs, thus Abilify hasn't stopped me. It's all in your head. Honestly, this medication works well for me, and I don't think it's the major reason for weight gain. Always consult with your psychiatrist."

• Anonymous
• August 28, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "Abilify has been useful to me in terms of sleep and improving my insomnia, but I still have to be treated with a mood stabilizer, like Lithium, in order to keep my bipolar episodes under control. The good news is that it did not cause (I was at 10 mg daily) weight gain like Zyprexa. Good luck to all of you!"