Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Ano...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2014

Aripiprazole "When I was younger, I was put on Abilify in combination with antidepressants. I've been off of it for about 5 years or so now. As I recall, it didn't do much for me, however, my weight skyrocketed during the time I was on it, and it stuck with me even after I was off of it. At my worst, I was about 250 pounds. I've lost a lot of weight since then, however, I still struggle with my weight today, which creates a self-esteem issue that adds to my depression."

• ify...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2017

"Have been on Abilify for 9 days. It started working in 1-2 days, however, don't feel discouraged if you are not seeing immediate results - they say it can take time. I started taking 2.5 mg to augment my Effexor 375 mg. Abilify lifted me out of depression and gave me energy and motivation to do things again. It took away all my anxiety symptoms and made my worries seem foolish. I'd been worrying intensely for a long time, so it was a great relief. It did initially make me a little sleepy, and I think I've gained 1 kg (2.5 lbs), so I'll have to watch it in that respect. So far, I am entirely grateful for this drug. I spent so much time here reading the reviews before starting it, I was determined to come back and leave my own."

• Suk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2014

Aripiprazole "After taking several antidepressants across medicine classes, my doctor prescribed Abilify to take with Wellbutrin. I took the Abilify for 4 weeks before I couldn't take it anymore. I experienced severe panic and insomnia. I am an anxious person, but I began getting extremely anxious and panicked about weird, insignificant things that had never bothered me before. Through my insurance, this medication was $75 every month. I think that would be worth it if it helped, but a complete waste to feel worse."

• Che...
• September 16, 2016

Aripiprazole "Several years ago, I was prescribed Abilify as an add-on to my Paxil 50 mg, which I've been taking for 24 years for major depression. It was amazing. I was so happy. I became interested again in things that I used to enjoy. Unfortunately, my only bad side effect was that it made me cry for absolutely no reason. I could be talking to someone about anything at all, and the tears would start. I had to stop taking it because nobody wanted to be around me anymore. My doctor has never heard of this happening with Abilify. Lucky me."

• Kri...
• June 18, 2017

Aripiprazole "I have taken every medicine that there is for my Major Depressive Disorder, and the only thing that helped was Viibryd 40 mg. So I've been on that for 2 years, and last time I went back to my psychiatrist, I told him that I still had a lot of days where I'm still extremely depressed. So he put me on Abilify 10 mg once a day. Been taking that for almost a week. Well, my problem is that both meds work great for me. But I've never had high blood pressure, and I'm 37 years old. I went to my primary care doctor Friday, and they put me on blood pressure meds. So I'm wondering if it's the Abilify causing me to have high blood pressure since all my life my blood pressure has been perfect till now."

• Abi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2018

Aripiprazole "I had gone through most standard antidepressants without seeing much benefit, and Abilify was the drug that finally pulled me out of depression... at least initially. I had so much energy on 2 mg, but the depression came creeping back after about a month. Upped my dose to 4 mg, and I am now so restless that it’s affecting every facet of my life. I need to constantly be on the move because sitting still for more than a minute makes me feel like I have a mild electric current running through all of my muscles. It works so well for my depression, though, that I’m currently seeking treatment for the side effect rather than stop the Abilify completely. Not a fun place to be. I’m currently also on Lexapro and Adderall - the Abilify seems to negate any benefits of the Adderall almost completely..."

• Har...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2017

Aripiprazole "This medicine made me have dreams that seem like reality night terrors. Had me talking to and seeing people and things that were not there. I was talking to dead people! My family almost had me committed. A real vacation in a bottle is what I call it now! I'm so upset thank god I stopped taking it when I did or who knows what else would or could have happened! Was a really bad vacation in a bottle!"

• Sli...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2015

Aripiprazole "Took the medication for about 2.5 years, in addition to various other antidepressants, such as Lexapro, Effexor XR, and Cymbalta. It did help me feel better and more stabilized for about the first 6 months of taking it. However, after those initial 6 months, I felt it did very little, if anything at all, and my mood began to deteriorate. Additionally, I also gained over 25 pounds. I have always been a slim to toned athletic individual, so this weight gain was very uncharacteristic of me. In fact, my condition got so bad that I was actually too depressed to even get out of bed most days and never exercised. My diet remained more or less healthy throughout my time on Abilify. Stopped Thanksgiving 2014, lost 30 pounds since, all else constant."

• Now...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2015

Aripiprazole "I just started taking 5 mg Abilify. After a day of headache and nausea, as well as extreme fatigue, I am now trying to take it at night to sleep through the worst side effects. Hoping they'll subside after a week or two. But I think I can feel a little change in my mood for the better, which would be nice after trying to find something that works for the last year..."

• Mis...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 26, 2018

"I am a 26-year-old female with MDD, anxiety, and ADHD and had just about given up on any medication working for me. I have tried just about any antidepressant, mood stabilizer, etc., you can think of without luck. Last December, my psychiatrist recommended Abilify (generic) on its own, as I did not want to experiment with any more SSRIs. Abilify changed my life in 1 week. I went from barely being able to get out of bed and function, no energy, and brain fog to the happiest, most energetic human on the planet. My fiancé has had nothing but positive things to say. I have had no side effects on this medication, and it’s been almost a year. It’s a miracle for me. I haven’t felt like this in over a decade since my teens. I am only on 2 mg, and this dose is super potent for me. I was able to get off of Adderall with this Rx. Don’t give up! The right medication is out there. I am so happy I did not give up on trying to find the right treatment. Thank you, God, for Abilify!"

• wir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2015

Aripiprazole "So far, so good. After having been on a high dosage of Effexor XR for several years and hoping to wean off of that med, I ended up in the hospital with a major depressive breakdown. The hospital psychiatrist prescribed 40 mg fluoxetine, and after 6 weeks, that wasn't touching my disorder. My new psychiatrist had me try Latuda 40 mg at first, and that med made me feel tense and horrible. Now we are trying a low dosage of Abilify along with the 40 mg fluoxetine."

• SC ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 22, 2017

Aripiprazole "I prescribed Abilify adjunct 60 mg Cymbalta I had been on for years during a very stressful and depressing time in my life. It was GREAT! I was going to have to go into the hospital, but it worked within 5 days!!! I was recommending it to everyone in my family! After being on it for 6 months and gaining about 20 lbs., I developed a profound tremor or tic in my hand, and I couldn't make it stop - not even at night, so I couldn't sleep. They took me off the Abilify, and within 4 weeks, the tremor stopped completely. I also lost 25 lbs. without even trying since being off of it. Recently, I noticed increased depression and anxiety, so I am trying other meds now to get back on track. So far, Deplin & Latuda have not worked. Just started Rexulti...."

• Tap...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2021

Aripiprazole "Abilify 2 mg added on to my regular SSRI took me out of the nightmare pit I was living in and brought me back to stable. The fatigue with this drug is indescribable; I could sleep 20 hours a day if I didn’t force myself to work. I am finally off it, but I had to taper with a 1 ml syringe and use a liquid form. It took me 4 months. If you want to discontinue, please taper very, very slowly."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2016

Aripiprazole "Abilify served me well over a two-month period. Of all of the antidepressants that I have taken over the past 20 years, I would give Abilify the highest rating. However, one of its potential side effects can be significantly increased blood glucose levels in some Type 1 diabetics. Unfortunately, I was one of these, and I was never able to control these levels within an acceptable range, and I had to discontinue Abilify as a result. These statements should be taken with caution since I was only able to take the drug for 8 weeks. I noted no other serious side effects. I do suffer from ED, but this is as much a result of 40 years of Type 1 diabetes as of any other factor."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2021

Aripiprazole "First 2 weeks, I felt great taking 2 mg a day. Third week, this week, my intrusive, negative thoughts, anxiety, and panic disorders are back with a vengeance. Hoping to get better regulation of my emotions soon!"

• Jen...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 1, 2015

Aripiprazole "I have had major depressive disorder, anxiety, and OCD since I was a kid. On and off meds since 1987. Paxil was the best for me for a decade or more. Went off of it myself to try and get pregnant and had a nervous breakdown. Was hospitalized for severe issues, etc. Had ECT. Scary, but it helped, looking back at the experience. Now, I take liquid generic Zoloft (250 mgs/mls), liquid generic Abilify (3 mgs/3mls), and Clonazepam. I feel like the Abilify gives me a boost vs. just being on liquid generic Zoloft. However, I have gained a lot of weight over the past five or six years - like 60 pounds - used to be slender. I give Abilify a decent rating, except for the weight gain and some sleepiness. And I think liquid vs. pills is better."

• Zyr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2018

Aripiprazole "I may have had an adverse reaction, but this drug made my life so bad for a few weeks. I was vomiting about every other hour or so starting the morning after I took it for the first time. Because of its stupidly long half-life, it took me another few days for the vomiting to finally stop."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2021

"This drug has changed my life. I started with 300 mg Wellbutrin and after a couple of months felt the dark clouds begin to appear again. My doctor prescribed aripiprazole. I read reviews and was terrified to try it, fearful that I would become a zombie and have uncontrollable weight gain. I started the medicine and felt strange the first day or two, so I stopped and swore I could handle this on my own. The sadness and pain returned, and I knew I should trust my doctor and the treatment. I’ve been on the medication for two months now and can honestly say it’s changed my life. I feel like myself, clear-headed and positive. I haven’t had any weight gain and actually am the fittest I’ve ever been. Of course, I attribute that to exercise and eating well. Yes, some may have negative experiences with this drug, but if you’re on the fence like I was, it’s absolutely worth it."

• Mic...
• July 25, 2017

"So this is my first review that I have ever written about a medication, and I wanted to share my experience. I am currently taking Effexor XR 75 mg with the add-on 5 mg of generic Abilify. I started my add-on treatment on July 19th after letting the prescription sit for a while. What a difference it has made for me already! I actually feel like getting out of bed now and coming to work! I suddenly lost my father and felt like my whole life fell apart. I got hooked on Klonopin and Xanax to numb the pain and knew something had to change. After 3 years of struggling and juggling different antidepressants, I think I have FINALLY found the right combination. While this medication may not work for everyone, it has definitely helped me!"

• Car...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 10, 2021

"I took aripiprazole (2.5 mg) with duloxetine (Cymbalta) for over a year, and things were going very well. I was super-efficient with time and work, got up every day at 6:30 am, asleep every night by 10:30, and felt generally content. I was concerned about the fact that I'd gained about 10 pounds, though, and my personality had gone kind of flat, so my doctor agreed to take me off the aripiprazole to see how things went with just the duloxetine. Big mistake. I got depressed again, so my doc added Rexulti. But my insurance wouldn't pay for it, and I was denied financial assistance from the manufacturer. So, we agreed to start the aripiprazole again since now I'm doing a diet to lose the weight I'd gained. I already feel so much better again. The first day back on it, I popped up out of bed at 6:30, and I already started noticing myself being more efficient with time planning again. Such a relief. This medication doesn't work for everyone, but give it a chance. It could be your saving grace."

• Xox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2016

Aripiprazole "Update on my previous post: I have seen multiple doctors, and my skin has turned blue in some places. They say it is a side effect of the medication. Do not let them tell you it is a rash. It is not, and Benadryl does not help. You are not crazy, yes, your skin is changing colors in random spots."

• Bre...
• July 30, 2016

"This drug is an absolute lifesaver for me. Things are so good for me right now. I've been on it for about 2 weeks now at 5 mg at bedtime, along with 50 mg of Amitriptyline and 150 mg of Sertraline. The first week was kind of rough because it made me gag easily, and I was constantly nauseated. I felt really weak and tired. This is the end of the 2nd week, and the side effects have subsided for the most part. I have regained my sex drive, and I can feel emotions again. I recently bought a house with my fiancé, and when we heard the news of our clear to close, I actually cried from happiness (mind you, that's NEVER happened to me before). If you feel like the side effects are unbearable, stick it out. They seem like they go away."

• Hel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 2, 2021

Aripiprazole "I have been on Wellbutrin HCl for years, and it stopped working, so I was put on Prozac with Wellbutrin HCl. That combo didn't seem to work. So now I am trying Prozac, Wellbutrin HCl, and Abilify. I hope something works. Let you know in a month."

• Han...
• September 19, 2016

Aripiprazole "I've had severe, reoccurring MDD for several years, aggravated by an eating disorder, self-harm, chronic insomnia, and compulsive behaviors. I've bounced around the whole SSRI; you name it, tried it. My Wellbutrin/Brintellix combo wasn't sufficient. I was exhausted, napping 2-3 hours midday, eating disorder raging, couldn't get out of bed. No motivation, flatness, etc. I've been taking 1 mg Klonopin at 5:30 p.m. & bedtime, and 10 mg Ambien when I go to sleep for a decade. I did NOT like Abilify. It did nothing to give me more energy or motivation. I gained 20 pounds in one month on the med, with NO SYMPTOMATIC RELIEF. Stopped after 6 wks, and have only lost 10 lbs in the 6 mo, even with exercise & meal plan. Risperidol was no better. Crap drug!"

• Spr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2016

Aripiprazole "I have been on various antidepressants for over 25 yrs. When I quit working, drinking, and smoking, buried memories of my father's abuse rose up and almost killed me. Over the next 5 years, I was hospitalized 5 times for a total of almost a year in Homewood in Guelph. (Every time I was admitted, they built me up, but back at home I would deteriorate. Homewood saved my life.) Life for me was much better after my husband retired 11 yrs ago (yes, I am a senior). We bought a trailer in Florida and spent 6 months there every winter. However, every year during the 6 months in Ontario, I would slowly go downhill until I did practically nothing, slept for a big part of the day, but always managed to hide my depression from my daughters and sister."