Aripiprazole and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Goo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2020

Aripiprazole for Autism "My son, 17, has been on Abilify for the last three months, and his transitions from one thing to the next are a lot less amplified, and his concentration is stronger. It has only been three months, though, so I will bookmark this page and let you know how he is in three more months. He's been diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome since he was 5 years old. Perhaps it works better on AS? He could definitely gain some weight since he is on a weightlifting program. He is a lot less argumentative. He also is a devout believer in biblical Christianity, so coupled with prayer, Bible study, and staying away from sexual or violent movies and video games, this makes a difference in his overall health."

• SAL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "TOTAL MISERY FROM ABILIFY INJECTION 400 DOSE! I had to find somewhere to sleep all day and then slept all night too! I immediately gained in 30 days, 30 lbs - they have gone straight to my waistline! Abilify is the worst ever medication! My diagnosis - bipolar disorder & schizoaffective disorder. I was forced into a mental hospital, told that if I refused the meds, I wouldn't be released for 30 days, and I could be released in 14 days if I consented. I didn't know there was an injection too! I would have just waited it out had I known the ill effect that the Abilify injection 400 time release would have on my endocrine system! Totally ruined my lipids."

• M_R...
• July 25, 2016

Aripiprazole for Depression "I started taking Abilify to complement years of taking Effexor. I am on 5 mg and am experiencing many of the symptoms I am reading about here - weight gain, feelings of emptiness, and craving for sweets. The good part of it is all the depressing and worrisome voices are out of my head. The bad thing is the emptiness, but I figure I should fill that void with good things - hobbies, music, more quality time with my beautiful wife. Maybe that's the healing, not the pill."

• Swb...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 18, 2016

Aripiprazole for Depression "I have been on 20 mg of Abilify now for about 10 years. When I first began taking it, I gained over 100 pounds in 6 months. I finally stopped gaining at 250. I have tried everything to take the weight off. Nothing. My doctor added 20 mg of Lexapro. I gained 30 more pounds. I am going to stop taking the Abilify as the weight gain is causing health issues. I just hope the weight will come off."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 31, 2016

Aripiprazole for Autism "The med did make him gain weight in the beginning, but I put him in a special needs track, and I make him go hiking, walking, and running to help keep him fit. He is the size for his height. I noticed a lot of people said weight gain. We initially needed the med for my son, who is 14 years old and autistic, semi to nonverbal, who became somewhat aggressive once puberty hit, and I had no choice. So he has been on it for about 2 years, and it seems to be working, but I fear what will happen if he ever is taken off of it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2020

Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "My doctor prescribed me 5 mg of Abilify to add onto a depression medication when I was going through a hard time. Maybe I had personal side effects, but it was a nightmare. I constantly felt restless-my legs would not stop moving, and it was extremely difficult for me to sit at work for long periods of time. I also constantly would wake up with migraines and a dry mouth. While it helped with my depression a little bit, it definitely increased my anxiety and ruined my sex drive. Abilify also caused me to have an insatiable appetite. I was always hungry and never felt full. Within 4 months of taking Abilify, I gained 20 lbs. After going off the medication, 6 months later, my appetite is noticeably different, and I dropped 12 lbs. Since being off the medication, I feel more like myself and that my personality has returned. Honestly, I can't recommend this unless you have no other options."

• Pan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2021

Aripiprazole for Agitated State "I have been suffering major anxiety and fear since puberty. It got much worse after having a child. After trying SSRIs, I felt like a zombie with no motivation. I used to drink alcohol a lot to suppress the anxiety too, which led to tons of problems in my life. Since taking Abilify, I feel like a normal person! I feel like the person I wanted to be. It has increased my appetite a lot, and the first week I couldn’t sleep, but now after a couple of weeks I’m calm and sleeping well. I’m afraid of the weight gain associated with this drug, but a few extra pounds is better than crippling anxiety and substance abuse."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2021

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "Abilify was the cause of the worst year of my life. Massive depression and constantly comatose. I was like a zombie. I woke up in the morning thinking, “When do I get to go back to sleep?” Suicidal thoughts were frequent. My wife would frequently comment on how I wasn’t myself, how I didn’t talk anymore. I was a shell. I also gained 20 lbs (I’m a skinny guy with a high metabolism). When I finally detoxed from the drug, I had energy again. My weight gain is now mostly gone, and I engage with my family and am more present. Abilify was the worst thing I have ever done to myself."

• Mr ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 21, 2021

Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "Abilify has made me rapidly gain 40 pounds. Because of it, I now am obese and have type 2 diabetes. I took it as an augmentation to my antidepressant to see if it would help with my treatment-resistant depression. It helped a little, but at what price? I'm so ashamed of how I look. I'm in the process of weaning off this horrible drug. Drug companies apparently don't care about terrible side effects, they just care about making money."

• gin...
• April 15, 2014

Aripiprazole for Depression "Abilify worked for me within 1 1/2 weeks. Yes, I gained weight, but I felt the best since my fibromyalgia started. But I have Medicare disability and went into the doughnut hole. The $800 price point was more than I can handle."

• dag...
• January 21, 2010

Aripiprazole for Depression "This medication has made a great difference in my life. I have suffered from a very resistant form of depression and Abilify has helped. I take it at night and it helps me sleep. To avoid the weight gain, I make sure I don't eat anything after I've taken it and am ready for bed."

• Hat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "I had commented approximately 2 weeks ago (under the name: I hate Abilify. on the 2019-07-09) regarding the 400 mg Abilify injection. Well, I saw my new pdoc on the 18th, and she is wonderful!!! I am no longer on the injection due to side effects. In addition to all of the side effects noted previously, I forgot to mention the major weight gain also. This drug is NOT WEIGHT NEUTRAL!! IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR WEIGHT, MOVE ON TO THE NEXT DRUG. If you're not happy with your current pdoc, find someone you are happy with. Just because we have bipolar disorder or have a mental illness does not mean we cannot control what we ingest into our body. You have a choice!!! If you have a feeling of being trapped and your pdoc is not listening to your concerns, MOVE on!!!! Good luck to all of you....."

• InS...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 2, 2022

Aripiprazole for Depression "At first, Abilify seemed like a miracle. I felt more energy, and while it didn’t eliminate my depression, it kept me going to work and at least functional for myself and my family. 70 lbs of weight gain later, I attempted to go off of the medication. I was left with a severe resting tremor and excruciating neuropathy that feels like it is destroying my life. I am unable to work and barely able to leave my bed. I cannot care for my children, sleep, and am losing weight rapidly due to a nonexistent appetite. I am truly scared for my life after taking this drug."

• Sar...
• October 4, 2015

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I'm currently on 10 mg to help with OCD and some depression. I mainly wanted to say to everyone who has gained weight -- my doctor told me that it's known to make you dehydrated, so you need to drink A LOT of water. You typically feel hungry when you are dehydrated and eat more, but if you just drink more water, you're fine. To everyone with insomnia - have you tried taking it at a different time of day? I was taking it at night and couldn't sleep. I switched to mornings and voilà! I can sleep so much better! Different times are needed for every person. It's helped somewhat over the last 3 months, but definitely not a magical drug that stops my OCD. I may be taking too low a dosage. Still figuring that out."

• bas...
• November 23, 2009

Aripiprazole for Depression "This medicine was prescribed to me as an add-on with Zoloft. It did help my depression and anxiety, unfortunately, I went from 118-122 lbs to 167 lbs, and I didn't even weigh myself at my heaviest. I thought my thyroid was crapping out on me, so I got that tested and it came back fine. Then my doctor was like, one of the side effects of Abilify is weight gain. One of my friends who took it also gained a lot of weight as well, not to say it affects everyone this way, but if you started taking it and are gaining weight like crazy with no end in sight, please talk to your doctor."

• Ive...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2019

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "This medicine, Abilify, has done wonders for my hallucinations! They are 3/4 of the way gone, and I've never felt more stable in my whole life. Earlier, when I was just depressed, they added Abilify to my Zoloft. It did not spark joy at all, it made me gain 15 pounds. But a year later, I developed psychosis, and they gave me Abilify once again. It worked like a miracle this time! I have been on this medication for about 6 months, and it's been so good. Highly, highly recommend this if you are experiencing psychosis!"

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 10, 2019

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "This stuff is ugly, it numbs all feelings and desires. I sleep for about 12 to 14 hours. The weight gain is crazy, sexual side effects too. I took this stuff for a year and a half, then stopped cold turkey with no problem. I wouldn't recommend this Abilify Maintena or ever take it again."

• bla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 31, 2018

Aripiprazole for Schizophrenia "My dear lovely Abilify... where should I begin? And what have you done? You feel deeply ashamed, Abilify... who made you Abilify? Are they as poisonous as you are...? I would like to know... because you have destroyed my health and my life... no way back from here. Anxiety, suicidal thoughts, depression, weight gain, metabolic syndrome, confusion, apathy. I am not myself anymore... Abilify, what have you done? Who made you? And why so poisonous?"

• mgw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 4, 2012

Aripiprazole for Depression "Abilify has been a lifesaver for me, probably literally. I've tried at least a dozen different medications (for the treatment of depression and social anxiety) since I was 16 (I'm now 25), and Abilify has probably shown the biggest improvement of them all. My mood is great most of the time, anxiety is reduced, and I have a lot more confidence than I used to. The one side effect: weight gain. I'm hungry all the time and have gained 20-30 pounds. Previously, my mental health took priority over my physical health because I was so depressed. Now that I'm doing better, I may cut back on Abilify in order to get back in better physical health. Hopefully, the positive effects won't go away!"

• Anonymous
• November 2, 2011

Aripiprazole for Depression "Abilify has been a miracle for me. For 14 years, I've tried to get relief from major depression, and until I got on this medicine, nothing else worked. No weight gain, a little side effect. My biggest gripe, TOO MUCH ENERGY."

• inC...
• October 15, 2009

Aripiprazole for Tourette's Syndrome "I've been on Abilify now for close to 5 years. I'm taking it for Tourette's syndrome and OCD, and it has worked like a miracle. Of course, I give God all the glory for this miraculous healing! Yes, God can use medications to heal us. The one setback is that I've gained some weight, so I just watch what I eat and exercise more frequently."

• Bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2016

Aripiprazole for Depression "I was told by my doctor that I might gain weight. He said that the signal in the brain that says, 'Thank you, I've had enough!' which is what I always go by, and it keeps my weight steady, is delayed. It's true. He says portion control is the key. We shall see. I'm trying, but I've already gained about three pounds and notice that I eat way more. I'll let you know if I get a handle on it. The drug is the one added to my cocktail that made the difference."

• lin...
• April 3, 2008

Aripiprazole for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I took Abilify for my OCD symptoms. Though it worked as far as my obsessive thoughts go, I gained 50 pounds while on this medicine. I am currently off of Abilify (no withdrawal symptoms) and have slowly been losing the weight."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2012

Aripiprazole for Depression "I have been taking this medication for several months along with Viibryd for depression and anxiety. This has really helped with my depression almost immediately, but I have gained 14 pounds in 2 months with exercising! I have decided to stop both medications and try something new when I see the doctor on Friday. I can't handle the weight gain, not worth it to me."

• rac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2019

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "My psychiatrist started me on 2.5 mg to supplement my SSRI. Within about a day or two, I started experiencing a period of what was probably hypomania; many told me I looked happy. I almost completely stopped picking at my scalp and hair. (About an 85% reduction.) My PTSD had been a nightmare. When at the gym, men would often walk behind me on the elliptical and would often look at my rear, and I'd feel triggered and panicked. On Abilify, I was aware but no longer triggered by threats to my space such as this. I also felt fewer powerful urges to self-harm, which were rather distressing before starting this drug. Long-term: I'm less severely depressed! I also noticed that I stopped having fights with my S.O., probably because I felt less threatened by micro-events. The only downside - I've put on about 10 lb. However, my doc put me on Metformin as a way to counteract some of the metabolic effects."