Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Jen...
• January 31, 2018

"I've suffered from Bipolar II and GAD and ADD for 15 years now. I take Lamictal, Effexor XR, Abilify, and Adderall. Not until I started Abilify 3 weeks ago have I had any improvement with energy levels and depression. I have treatment-resistant depression, and my anxiety causes me to not be able to work, and I barely want to leave the house. But since starting Abilify, I feel almost fantastic. I wake up early, ready to start my day. And I've never been a morning person. I'm more positive about my life, and I am even thinking about getting a job. I haven't worked in 6 years. But I do have problems staying asleep. I mean, it's 3:06 am, and I am wide awake writing this. So yeah, restless sleep. And the sexual side effects aren't good. Total lack of interest, which is difficult when you're in a relationship. But I'm not willing to stop this medication. The good far outweighs the bad in so, so many ways. Good luck to all and give this med a try."

• que...
• October 24, 2013

"I was diagnosed as bipolar type II, and my nurse practitioner in WA prescribed me Abilify, and I gained 30 lbs within a month of taking it. I blew up like a balloon, and he said he doesn't have that side effect. I looked online, and it says that it clearly does. He said to take it a few more weeks and see how I did. I gained ten more pounds, and my mother insisted I stop taking it. I went from 148 to 188 lbs. It may have started helping with my symptoms, but I was too concerned about my weight gain, so he finally put me on Topamax."

• Anonymous
• November 8, 2012

"I was prescribed Abilify 15 mg in addition to Depakote 1 g daily for bipolar affective disorder, and my mood was stabilized, but it was constantly low and on the edge. I was heavily sedated that I slept 15 hours a day, and when I was awake, I didn't feel 'completely there,' and I also had blurred vision. I was taken off the Abilify and put onto Quetiapine and was more alert, and my vision improved, so in my case, Abilify really didn't suit me."

• Noc...
• November 12, 2014

"I'm a 21-year-old female and just diagnosed with Bipolar I. It's been a roller coaster ride, especially after gaining 10 pounds in the hospital while taking risperidone and Depakote. I'm still on the Depakote, though I hope to discontinue it as soon as my psychiatrist allows, but I just switched to Abilify. I've got to say, so far I have no complaints. With risperidone, I had no 'lid' to my hunger. It was endless, and that was quite disappointing. There were many other side effects, but the weight gain has added to my self-loathing. Though the painful heart dysrhythmias are a close second. I'm hoping that Abilify makes it possible for me to curb my appetite back to what it used to be as I exercise the 30 pounds I don't need away."

• Mak...
• February 5, 2016

"This drug is horrendous. I spent a week in a psychiatric ward the year I was twenty, and they titrated it up to ten milligrams by the time I was let out. I was a complete zombie, exhausted all the time - could fall asleep anywhere, any time of the day - so anxious that I had to keep moving my body to function. Kept crossing and uncrossing my legs, wringing my hands, etc. I was so numbed out I simply didn't enjoy life. I don't know how I managed to not kill myself. This thing will wreck you."

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2021

"I was just released from an acute inpatient hospital for severe suicidal ideation and burning myself. They put me on Abilify 2 mg. It’s been a week, and I already feel a positive difference. I am diagnosed with bipolar type 2 with borderline traits, PTSD, and autism. This medication has seemingly taken away my severe anger and irritation, my previously constantly running thoughts, and has given me the drive and energy to function. I just finished organizing and cleaning out my car that had things in it from 8 months ago. It’s 3 pm, and I don’t feel like sleeping for 6 hours, then sleeping all night again until 12 pm the next day. I went out to eat with a friend and felt zero annoyance. I’ve showered, shaved, and cleaned my room today, too. My thoughts feel clearer and feel focused. Zero side effects. I wish I had tried this medication sooner."

• Izz...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 7, 2015

"Desperately trying to get back on Abilify, but insurance is awful. My suicidal thoughts are back. The Abilify balanced me out, and I could sleep while on it. (It's almost 5 am, and I haven't slept yet.)"

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2021

"This med wasn’t good for me. It made my anxiety really bad, to the point where I couldn’t even leave my house. I became lightheaded and dizzy and wound up in the hospital because of it. I am currently on Zyprexa to fix what the Abilify has done to me. This was my experience, which may not be the experience you have. Good luck."

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

"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."

• Jul...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 21, 2019

"I was on this for over 3 years. To start with, I thought it was working, the last year, I had a racing head and high anxiety. Was discharged from psych, so I had to fight to get seen again to change medication. Realized a few months after coming off it that my finances had changed shortly after starting Abilify and not in a good way. I was never in debt before Abilify. I am 37 too. I’m in a lot of debt because of Abilify, because I started taking out loans shortly after starting it, amongst other things. Have since read that the FDA made the manufacturing company list compulsive shopping, compulsive gambling, and other excessive behaviors, etc., as a side effect in May 2016. I started it in August 2015, so was unaware when I researched this medication when I first went on it. No doctor made me aware of this side effect at any point. Please note I have been manic prior to this medication and had never taken out credit or borrowed money."

• Anonymous
• March 10, 2012

"I've just finished my first week on Abilify, and although I've been told that the med is ready to do its job from the 2nd or 3rd day you take it, I don't think my brain chemistry has settled down to one reaction. Right now, I'm pleased. I have Bipolar Type 2, and Abilify was prescribed to help with my constant depression. Now I am going back and forth between a little anxious and mildly manic, sometimes in one day. This is a huge improvement. I have energy! I can smile! Hope this is permanent."

• TJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2018

"It did not stabilize my moods. I’m still all over the place, and the fact that I can’t sit still gets really under my nerves. I’m super paranoid on this. I feel 10x worse than I did before. It messed me up completely. Side effects: Severe akathisia, high anxiety, paranoia, delusions, mania, depression, suicidal ideation. I only took this for 2 weeks at a low dose of 5mg, and I'm done."

• Rac...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 27, 2021

"Instead of helping my depression, I felt trapped in it, unable to say how I truly felt. Unable to move out of that feeling, yet unable to fully feel it either. My irritability became worse overall. I would have even bigger breakdowns over even smaller things. The frequency was slightly less, the incidents were more severe. I developed tardive dyskinesia and pseudo-Parkinson's after long-term use. I gained over 100 lbs on this medication, 60 of which happened in the first 5 months. My dietary habits did not change in this time. My sleep and exercise were affected. Prior to Abilify, I was very active and loved to walk and ride my bike. While on Abilify, I became listless and disinterested in physical activities. My poor sleep became worse, and Abilify created insomnia in me, which I then needed more medications for. Then I began having memory and attention issues while on Abilify, so I was prescribed Adderall to help me concentrate. All of this, and I am better off meds."

• JKW...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2022

"Prescribed two weeks ago, 2.5 mg to start, and I've been at 5 mg the last four days. I've really felt it since the increase, and general early impression is: this stuff is great! A few side effects: moderate bathroom issues, a slight hand tremor now and then, and - worst to me - so far my libido has been flattened. Can I give up my sex life for a luxury like mental health? Hope not, but might be necessary so I don't end up in the news; the rage monster will always be there, but this could really help. The GOOD effects are good: mild euphoria, a real-feeling contentment, I want to be social again, a willingness bordering on pleasure in mundane tasks. My house and garden have not been this tidy in years - love it! Final notes: I have bipolar II, and I've been on 200 mg of lamotrigine for six years now; it's great but was becoming less effective, so my doc just added the generic Abilify. I'll revisit this review after I've been on it for a while, but so far, pretty good."

• tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2018

"I would love to share my experience with this medication. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder with major mood swings affecting my daily life, such as work. I tried Abilify 10 mg, and it made me feel like the living dead, no energy, feeling tired, and a really bad increase in anxiety and feeling paranoid. I was then lowered the dosage to 5 mg, however, it still made me tired and increased my anxiety. My physician does not want to take me off of it. I really do not wish to proceed with this medication. I stopped taking it without letting my doctor know. I really hope to try something else. Thanks."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2019

"I am on the 400 mg Abilify injection, and I am miserable! My pdoc is the worst. She does not listen to anything I have to say about the drug regarding side effects. I am having muscle spasms as I am typing right now. I also have dry mouth, constipation, depression, and agitation. I had this doctor with tunnel vision ten years ago, you think I would have learned my lesson, but I do have an appointment on the 18th with a new proc, thank God!!!! God help us all!!!"

• Jua...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2013

"I found out I was bipolar about a month ago. The first pill my PCP gave me was Abilify. Starting on 2 mg for the first 2 weeks. I didn't notice anything until maybe the third day. However, the rest of that week and the following, I have been on a roller coaster. I just started taking 5 mg of Abilify, and I notice the next day. I had the feeling of being normal again. The only side effect I've noticed was when I was depressed, I was depressed. Since upping the dose, I feel way better."

• Anonymous
• January 8, 2009

"I have been on Abilify for a month now at 15 mg. It works great, I can control myself now. No more rages or trouble. My family is glad this pill works for me. I have been on six other medicines, and they didn't work. Thank God for Abilify."

• Chr...
• May 4, 2016

"I take Abilify 2 mg along with Wellbutrin 300 mg as well and feel so much better. No side effects at all. I was on Risperidone, which was awful! I think this medication must work differently when taken with Wellbutrin because I noticed a big difference for the better!"

• Luc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2021

"I have always been against taking medication, although I have epilepsy and have to. I was very wary of starting this one, or any other mood stabilizer. Now that I have been taking it for two weeks, I'm so glad I did. It was like walking out of a dark room and back into the light of day. I used to just go about my daily activities with dread. Now I am excited to be a part of society again. I have gotten back in contact with old friends, don't experience hardly any social anxiety, and have so much energy. Thank you, Abilify."

• Man...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 8, 2023

"Abilify has saved my life. I have bipolar II, and the depression I felt was so debilitating. Within a few weeks of taking Abilify, I felt more stable, and I don't know where I'd be without it. I was previously on Zyprexa, which sucked the life out of me, but the Abilify has allowed me to breathe life back into myself again! Mild side effects upon first starting but other than that, it's been nothing but positive!!"

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

"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."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2008

"I have been taking Abilify for a week. It has already taken the edge off the rages. However, I am still experiencing high anxiety. My family says I am calmer, so that is definitely a plus. I feel tired and wired at the same time - it is a weird feeling. I am very paranoid. I was paranoid before, but this seems to have made it worse. But I am only on 2 mg. At least the rages are better. I am hopeful that this medication, along with help from my doctor, will be enough to get my life back."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2016

"Started taking Abilify, and I noticed my mood became nothingness. I didn't feel happy nor sad. I just felt nothing. Has anyone experienced the same things? Prior to the feelings of nothingness, the night before (after I took it), I started becoming manic, then about an hour later, I started becoming suicidal. Took Benadryl and became calm and sleepy. My manic and depression episodes were usually on a day-to-day basis, whereas when I took Abilify, it shifted within an hour or so. Also, the side effects were so bad I couldn't get out of bed. Felt very dizzy with a headache, wanted to puke, heart rate was faster than usual, loss of appetite, and weak (very weak)."

• sho...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2012

"Loving it so far, seems to be giving me a life. I am a single mom who struggles with bipolar disorder every day and has been on almost everything and a combo of things out there with no success. The only problems I've noticed so far are nausea, dizziness, and being extremely tired throughout the day. I have only been on the medicine for a short period of time, so I'm hoping these side effects will start to go away, but compared to what I normally deal with, they are nothing. The big issue is I do not have insurance, so my doctor is currently giving me samples. I'm trying to qualify for the financial assistance program, but if I don't, I won't be able to take the medication."