Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2021

Aripiprazole "I went on the generic Abilify for days, and I started having suicidal ideation and ended up in the ER. I had an inpatient psych stay at a hospital for a week. During my stay, I continued having suicidal thoughts. I've never had serious thoughts like this before this medication. I also developed akathisia and could not sleep. The medication was discontinued, and I have gotten better, but am still having sporadic thoughts a week later. I hope they continue to lessen as time goes on..."

• jjb...
• June 21, 2021

Aripiprazole "I have been taking Paxil for about 4 years, and it just seemed to stop working. I found myself doing destructive behaviors, i.e., watching porn and masturbating just to feel better. After taking Abilify for the first time, I started losing interest and can’t even do that stuff anymore. That means more time to focus on something positive. I’m definitely a fan."

• ven...
• June 19, 2015

Aripiprazole "I took 2.5 milligrams of Abilify for a month, then the generic came out, and I had to use that because the insurance wouldn't pay for the brand name. It was the worst experience I've had, I couldn't stay awake, so I started taking it at night. Still, really bad result, so I called my insurance company, and I called my doctor, and I'm now back on the regular Abilify brand name, 5 milligrams. However, I'm afraid of the weight gain. I've already gained weight on Cymbalta, and I'm afraid I'll gain more on the Abilify. However, it does make me active enough for hopefully I'll be able to walk a lot of it off or something. Does anybody have any suggestions for keeping the weight off?"

• bea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 30, 2014

Aripiprazole "I take this for depression. It keeps me from having major depression, but I have had weight gain, increased acid reflux, and changes in my menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, the weight gain is the deal breaker. I am looking for something that doesn't have that side effect. Otherwise, Abilify would be a 9. The same is with Zoloft. It cures depression, but the weight gain is even more rapid. Am looking for something that can do both-stop the depression and prevent the weight gain."

• 66y...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 30, 2021

Aripiprazole "I was prescribed Abilify for MDD, it was added to my Citalopram. I noticed a positive difference within 4 days. After a few weeks on it, I felt even better, had energy and motivation for the first time in years. I slept better and was ready to get out of bed in the morning. However, within 3 months of taking this, I gained almost 20 lbs. I had a bit of a weight problem before this, so I was, of course, really freaked out. My doctor told me it wasn't the Abilify, it was my eating habits. I knew differently, but I loved how I felt, so I kept taking it. Fast forward 6 months, I've gained 38 lbs, I hate the way I look so much I won't leave my house, and my depression returned. I stopped taking it slowly. I've lost my energy, and physical things are twice as hard because of my weight. I'm seriously disappointed to have to stop taking something that helped me so much because of the extreme weight gain."

• Joj...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 27, 2015

Aripiprazole "While this medication is quite effective in controlling my depression, I've gained 25 pounds despite reducing calories. This in itself has caused me to be depressed. I crave sweets and I feel blood sugar spikes. I do not have diabetes. I am an otherwise healthy 48-year-old. I am on the lowest dose possible. I have been on the drug for two years, so do not be fooled that this may be a temporary condition for some. Exercise has done nothing to reduce the weight. My knees and back are suffering. I am on a 1200 calorie diet and still slightly overweight. My doctor tells me it's a price to pay for being emotionally healthy. It's hard to accept. There must be something out there to counteract the weight gain."

• rea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2015

Aripiprazole "I'm still hoping this drug will actually produce some results, but it hasn't made a difference yet. What it has done, though, is make me feel REALLY lethargic, to the point I stopped taking it in the morning as I was directed, because I'd be unable to function at all. But now that I take it at night, I still feel lethargic, but I cannot actually fall asleep or stay asleep. I just feel like a drugged-out mess. Also, I read this can cause weight gain and excessive hunger, but I'm the opposite. I have zero appetite. I'm not impressed yet, but I'm encouraged by so many others who say it's helped them. So I'm gonna try a little longer."

• Dep...
• September 11, 2017

Aripiprazole "While this medication can be obtained relatively cheaply, please make sure you read about any side effects it can cause. While I did feel a little better while taking it, I gained a significant amount of weight in a short period of time (40 lbs in 2 months). I have since been taken off of it because the rapid weight gain was concerning to my PCP, who relayed it to my psychiatrist. Make sure you speak up if you are experiencing any of the side effects. Weight gain like I experienced is not worth me taking this medication."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2020

Aripiprazole "This medication made my heart race so bad that I ended up in urgent care with an EKG because of said racing heart. I was on the lowest dose, too. Once I was told to stop taking it, my heartbeat was back to normal, but the muscle spasms everywhere were just as annoying and unwanted."

• cya...
• May 31, 2017

Aripiprazole "I agree with Triple Dee. This drug = the worst. It was supposed to help psychotics. It turned me into a zombie. Also turned me into a compulsive shopper, which can be accomplished from the couch I became glued to due to my zombie state. With no motivation, my house was a mess. And the eating! OMG. I gained a pound a day. I have clinical depression and massive anxiety. I take 40 mg of Viibryd. Tough, tough drug to get on in the beginning, but I stuck to it, and it's been a blessing. No sexual or eating side effects. I went on 450 Wellbutrin to survive Midwest winters. I stay on it year-round. Anxiety - I take Xanax - four 0.5 pills a day - three at bedtime, and I split the fourth - a half in the morning, a half at dinner. Don't want all these drugs, but they keep me going and productive."

• lca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2023

"I have had persistent depressive disorder (fka: dysthymia) since I was a teenager. I wasn't diagnosed until I was in my early 30s. I didn't receive any medication until I was 39 when I was put on Zoloft 25mg, then later, Fluoxetine 20mg, gradually increased to 80mg. Both lifesavers. Over time, my symptoms worsened, leaving me in a stalemate of sorts with Fluoxetine. I've tried Bupropion, which didn't help. Long story short, I was just surviving but not really living. I lost interest in virtually everything, constantly procrastinating, just doing the bare minimum, etc. Finally, at 63 going on 64, my VA doc did an add-on of Aripiprazole 2mg (currently taking 40mg Fluoxetine). I started the medication Friday, it's now Sunday, it's as if someone lifted the shades. I stopped ruminating, worrying and got to work on my house, cleaning, organizing. Perhaps it's too soon to tell, but I feel nothing short of re-energized. I pray this medication snaps me out of my years-long rut."

• gar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2014

Aripiprazole "Update: I have been on Abilify 2 mg and 45 mg Remeron for three months and still doing good. Have gained 10 pounds but needed it. A little tired at times, but well worth it. No sexual side effects. Hoping for long-term success!"

• uni...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2014

Aripiprazole "I have been on Abilify (10 mg) for the past 3 weeks. It has been very helpful with my psychosis/hallucinations. I have only hallucinated twice in the past 3 weeks. There have been some complications, though. I have experienced side effects of nausea, light-headedness, being constantly tired, and dizziness. My depression seems to be lightening up every day, and that is wonderful."

• Awe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2024

"This has worked well enough for me that I decided to come online and leave a review. I’ve been making incremental steps. Got off of Paxil, started CPAP, started fluvoxamine, and finally the magic bullet has turned out to be Aripiprazole. My mother took it and loved it but started to get tremors, so she had to stop taking it. She was heartbroken. I’ve always hated getting out of bed every day, now it’s nothing, weekends I'm up at 6:30, and I don’t want to go back to bed. I've never experienced anything like this. Never in my adult life have I gotten up early on weekends until now. I don’t feel speedy either, so I’m just keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I don’t get any tremors and have to stop taking this. Ruminating thoughts, bad thoughts, negative thoughts have melted away. It's a total game-changer for me."

• Nev...
• July 31, 2015

Aripiprazole "I took Abilify once, at night, in a psych ward because of my new doctor. I went to bed, like normal. When I woke up in the morning to take vitals, I started to get this tightness in my chest that I couldn't place. I was going to ask for my inhaler because I have asthma, but then I heard roaring in my ears, and my vision went fuzzy. I didn't know it then, but my blood pressure was dropping from a healthy level down to 53/28. I panicked and stood up, and then dropped to the floor like a rock. I was lucky the nurse caught me. My heart stopped. I don't truly remember a lot about that day, but that was because I was either unconscious or in a dreamy haze. Abilify sent me into anaphylactic shock and almost killed me. No ratings lower than one, sadly."

• Hop...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2016

Aripiprazole "On the 2 or 2.5 mg as an add-on to Trintellix. Definite noticeable improvement in mood and energy. No weight gain. The effects seem to be intermittent, so I'm hopeful my dosage will be increased on the next visit to my P-doc. It shows potential of being a life changer for the positive. I think an up to 5 mg may do the trick :) Great there is a $4 generic for my insurance."

• Zan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2018

Aripiprazole "I've only been on it for a few days. I have anxiety, ADHD, depression, and BPD. I'm on Lexapro 20mg, and it helped for a little bit, but I was still having crazy ups and downs throughout the day. Happy and then 20 minutes later, crying and upset. Although I haven't been diagnosed with BP 2, I believe I have it. This medicine so far has done wonders. I'm actually energetic, talkative, I want to work out (I always had to drag myself to the gym), and I feel like I'm living better. The downside is it's hard to fall asleep at night. Nothing major, I'm gonna try Melatonin tonight and see if it helps. Other side effects are nausea and a slight headache for me."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2019

Aripiprazole "I was put on this medicine a year ago, and yes, it helped my depression, but I had dizziness, and I felt like a zombie. No energy or ambition to do anything. I am just now telling my doctor to take me off. I can't go back to work this way. I can see it helping some people if they need to be calmed down, per se."

• vit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2016

Aripiprazole "Tolerated 5 mg, so was bumped up to 10, tolerated that and was bumped up to 15. At this point, I'm so confused and disoriented by the Abilify that I can't tell the difference between real life and the fever dreams it gives me."

• XHo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 16, 2019

"Miracle drug!!! I am 27 years old and have suffered for over a decade with MDD, anxiety, and ADHD. I have tried every anti-depressant, stimulant, mood stabilizer out there... you name it, I've tried it. My psych recommended trying Abilify alone, not as an add-on. It has changed my life since week 1. I AM ALIVE AGAIN... something I never thought would be possible. I have my energy back, no more brain fog, and I am able to maintain relationships with the ones I love. I am no longer living in a dark black hole of sorrow. I am so grateful for this medication. It is worth every penny and more. I am now going on 2 years on it and no side effects AT ALL! Xx"

• Gun...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 3, 2015

Aripiprazole "This drug was a lifesaver. I was put on this medication after going through a tough bout of postpartum depression right after having the baby. If I hadn't gotten help when I did, I'm sure it was becoming psychosis. After taking Abilify along with an antidepressant and something for anxiety for a couple of weeks, I was finally able to see the light again. Wasn't sure I'd ever be normal again, but thankfully I was able to figure it out and function again."

• Yal...
• October 18, 2015

Aripiprazole "I was prescribed 2.5 mg of Abilify to augment Pristiq 200 mg for severe depression. It worked quickly, and my sleep and appetite improved a lot. So far, I get some hungry periods, but no huge weight gain yet. Hope it won't occur, as it seems to help me. Good luck. It is expensive at $166 for a 2-month supply. Insurance rebate $133, though."

• Lit...
• January 24, 2015

Aripiprazole "Abilify 2 mg at first, then 5 mg & 10 mg, gained weight in a matter of 2 months. Yes, it was working, but I gained weight back I had lost & then some. It's second to prednisone! I've never been 200 lbs & may get to the 180s. So now I'm back depressed! My insurance would cover until October & then the price would vary. It didn't matter, I couldn't pay it."

• Kai...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 3, 2018

Aripiprazole "I have been taking Abilify for one to two years now, and I don't feel any different. I still have panic attacks. I still feel like crying and wanting to stay in bed all day. I feel scared all the time. I still feel depressed 24/7."

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2018

Aripiprazole "First started the med, my sleep, appetite, and energy started improving. At 5mg, it helped my moods a little bit. I thought finally, a medicine that works. Side effects were restlessness, a little daytime drowsiness. Then increased my dose to 10mg, from there, my depression got a lot worse. I was so restless, and my tiredness was very bad, I was disoriented. I wasn't driving. All I did was lay in bed, going crazy."