Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Hazbeth
• October 22, 2021

Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole) "Forced this medication in 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."

• boo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2022

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Okay, this was the worst for me. I know some people love it but it gave me SEVERE AKATHISIA to the degree that made every single day a nightmare. Could not sit still for more than a minute, could not sleep, super jittery, extremely angry... I tried it twice over the last 5 years and both times were the same. I wouldn't take it again, not for a million dollars!"

• Krypton
• January 17, 2011

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I love this medicine. I have bipolar II disorder, and this medicine does everything it's supposed to do. It keeps my manic moods completely in check and works very well in conjunction with Zoloft. I have been on both drugs for years, and I have not had any serious depression or mania for over 20 years! The only side effect that I experience is fatigue, but so worth it. The side effects are minimal. I feel and act normal."

• Boogie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was just released from an acute inpatient hospital for severe suicidal ideation and burning myself. They put me on Abilify 2mg. 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."

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

Abilify (aripiprazole) "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 200mg 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"

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

Abilify (aripiprazole) "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.)"

• Keddey
• November 18, 2009

Abilify (aripiprazole) "It did wonders for my mood, however, I was not told of the risks involved. And the positive did not outweigh the negative in this case. After only a month, I developed atrophy and my legs hurt badly. I can't sit still, I pace, I cry, ...anything to get the pain to stop. My psych said it was from the Abilify. I'm now on Geodon and praying this isn't permanent. Please be informed before taking this medication!"

• vinny...
• January 8, 2018

Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole) "It's not for me 6 weeks on and cannot wait till it's out 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......"

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

Abilify (aripiprazole) " 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!!!"

• Cathy
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 11, 2012

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I've been on Abilify for nearly 2 years. The first month or so was rough (tired early at night or after a cocktail, restless sleep, waking up early, dizziness, foggy head), but after my doctor reduced my dose to 2.5 mg/day, side effects improved. The ones that remain are profuse night sweats (soaked sheets) and constipation. It does make you a bit tired, but I take it before bed. It completely helped with my irritation/agitation towards people and my children. I have a ton more patience and less anxiety overall. The biggest issue I have is the cost. Get the Abilify Savings Card if you are starting a new prescription!"

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

Abilify (aripiprazole) "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."

• kyloo
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I'm on Abilify in conjunction with Lamictal. In ten years, this combination is the only one that has worked. While it took some tweaking, it is well worth it. Two side effects: constipation and eye rolling."

• queen...
• October 24, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "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."

• MakaM...
• February 5, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "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."

• Rachel
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 27, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "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 dyskinsia, and pseudo parkinsons 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 was effected. Previous 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. The 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."

• Anonymous
• November 8, 2012

Abilify (aripiprazole) "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."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "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."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2008

Abilify (aripiprazole) "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."

• Amy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I HATE this drug! I have the more depressive side of bipolar disorder and for some reason got put on this antipsychotic instead of antidepressants. I have had irritability followed by flat affect. All of my creativity is gone as is my sex drive. I'm starting to get more and more depressed. My medicines provider keeps saying to wait or cancelling appointments! I'm probably going to taper myself off if things don't get changed soon."

• AliPa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "This medicine did not work for me. I suffer from Bipolar with mood swings and panic disorder. I went up to 10mg and It seemed to help my mood but it pushed my anxiety off the charts. I was a shaky mess while taking it and also unable to focus and complete tasks. Went off within 4 weeks."

• LaSki...
• September 1, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Wow. I took it and many of the reviews here could have been me. Was on it for 3 weeks couldn’t take the side effects. My tongue was swollen 2x it’s size uncontrollable salivating. Anger outbursts that were uncharacteristic of me, impulsivity, akasthasia horrible kicking legs as I tried to go to sleep. Doc was kind enough to pull me off it as I gained 20 pounds in this month. Ridiculous. It was not a “live saver” for me either. "

• TJano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2018

Abilify (aripiprazole) "It did not stabilize my moods. I’m still all over the place, and the fact that I can’t sit still get 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."

• royals
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 3, 2019

Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole) "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 a give it a month for it to actually work if you are on it."

• Kaise...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "On the first day of abilify I experienced stabilization. My mood was stable after two weeks on Abilify and I have not experienced any side effects. I do not experience weight gain on Abilify which is a blessing. I notice that my mood is friendlier and more positive. I started eating more fruits and vegetables and I maintain a healthy diet on Abilify. I only have positive things to say about Abilify. Please give this medication a try it’ll change your life for the better."

• Just...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 19, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Abilify worked pretty good for five years with Prozac. But then I became morbidly obese, with elevated bad lipids and prediabetes. Also, I was constantly in fear of tardive dyskinesia. I no longer take it."