Saphris for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• Andrew...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 19, 2015

"Been on Saphris for almost a year. Have tried almost all of the others except for Latuda. My experience is that I have had the best dreams and put on the least amount of weight on this medicine. Also, not nearly as drowsy."

• coaff
• September 23, 2015

"Words can not describe it. The medication has turned my life around. I still can not believe what it has done for me. My mind has slowed down so much without taking away my ability to think sharply. I am truly happy. Anger, irritation, racing thoughts are almost completely gone. I am Bi Polar 1 with GAD and depression. I too am a mixed episode/rapid cycle guy. This med has givin me my life back. I have been shedding anxiety and sleep meds left and right. If you can't afford it, please look to Canada. You can get generic Saphris (asenapine) very, very reasonable. It could well be worth going through a reputable Canadian pharmacy."

• Stpha...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 3, 2021

"Currently on 5 mg at night. Best medication so far. Have try risperidone (ptd), invega (weight gain) and latuda (bad anxiety). Only 3 lbs of weight gain...not sure if it's the pandemic or the saphris. The only "side" effect I experienced it the sedative side. It put you right to sleep in 15 minutes which I like ! I wake up after 9 hours sleep without alarm feeling refresh. It tastes bad but I really don't care for the first time of my life I feel good! You should try it"

• BAEEEE
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2015

"Wonderdrug. I have never, ever had a period of more than two days without irritability without hypomania. Within 2 days of taking this medication, my irritability was nil. I was able to sit in a busy, loud restaurant without getting angry or distracted. I have no sedation during the day, and this medication helps me sleep at night, immediately and deeply. I'm sleeping about 9-10 hours every night, which is why I'm giving it 8 of 10 stars, because that amount of sleep is a little much for me. I still feel a normal range of emotion on this medication, my sex drive is normal, I have no side effects. The taste is not so bad, but tongue does get numb every time I take it, but this wears off by the time I wake up."

• Todd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2014

"I believe I have found the answer I have been looking for! Been on it about two months. I sleep throught the night with a lot less interruption and I fall asleep more quickly. My thought pattern is far less anxious and muddled; I am able to concentrate. My mood is far less out of whack and I am generally happy. The only downside for me is it gives me the munchies and I have diabetes, so I have gained some weight a bit rapidly. However, with a lot of effort, I have eliminated foods out of my diet that are carbs. I am starting to level out and I have a lot of hope for the future with this medicine. It is expensive, but I have good insurance."

• Bullw...
• December 3, 2010

"I've been Bi polar for over 20 years and have tried practically every mood stabilizer and antidepressant there is and some would work for awhile then poop out. Saphris is like a miracle medicine. I don't feel depressed, I have more energy and motivation and my moods are stable. I take one 10 mg tab at bedtime and wake up the next morning feeling alive and ready for the day. I would encourage anyone who is suffering from bipolar depression and mood swings to give this medicine a try. You won't be disappointed. One caveat though is without insurance it is very expensive."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2013

"I have been taking this for about 4 months now. While I admit I am awful at being consistent with new meds, I am blown away by how well Saphris has consistently toned down my impulsivity, irritation, edginess, suicidal ideations, and cycling depression. Unlike antipsychotics such as lithium, this stuff did not turn me into a walking zombie. I am still able to feel elated, just not so much so that I lose control of myself. Also it helps me have a regular sleeping pattern! I do not know how anyone can taking this in the morning as it knocks me out harder than ambien. The downside of it is that I am experiencing secondary nocturnal enuresis :S It is something I have always struggled with and I would not expect others to experience this."

• Katea...
• September 16, 2015

"I do not deal with fits of rage anymore nor do I go to extreme lows of sadness and the world is ending. Side effects I had were initially insomnia grogginess after taking the medication and a little bit more hungry. I eat a well-balanced diet with lots of vegetables some fruit high protein and I notice having a snack before taking it helps for hunger pains. I make sure to get regular low impact exercise such as walking. I am now able to be a better mother keep my jobs and feel much much much better mentally. Give it a try at least a month. It has been 3 weeks and I do not have insomnia at night anymore and have dropped 14 pounds. Stay positive don't let side effects get you down!"

• Stay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2019

"I would really recommend this medication because I’ve tried almost every anti psychotic medication and I’ve never been able to stabilize my mood until I found this medication. The only side effect I get from this medication is twitching on my toes but it goes away a few minutes later. I’ve had worst side effects from Latuda which was making me sedated and giving me milk from my breasts and I wasn’t even pregnant. I really like this medication because it also helps me with sleep and without it I over think a lot at night. My mood has definitely improved with this medication I’ve been taking it for 4 years and it’s worked. I’ve only had to increase the dosage 2 times unlike other medications where I constantly have to increase the dosage."

• Anonymous
• April 25, 2010

"I started 5mg Saphris 12 days ago and it's UNBELIEVABLE! 20 years ago (on my birthday) I was diagnosed with bipolar that worsened to include severe, treatment- resistant depression. I have done and seen it all - buckets of drugs, ECT and an experimental VNS implant. Mentally, nothing I've tried can touch this stuff! I have also experienced almost every severe physical side effect, and my ADHD-type behavior, noises and shadows are worse (hard to imagine) but I don't think I'll call my doctor on a Sunday. He just gave me 10 of the best days in memory (which is also returning). Will I give piano concerts again? Maybe - if I can play backwards, but I feel so good I could just stand in the corner for the rest of my life."

• Mitch
• September 19, 2017

"After trying several meds, which helped, I was introduced to Saphris @ 10mg/day. I experienced periods debilitating drowsiness, so decreased to 5mg. Problem disappeared. Mentally, emotionally I feel almost normal. Mood swings are slight, handleable. I like Saphris."

• mcadams
• August 11, 2013

"Saphris has helped me more than any other medication (which were many, many over 12 years). I was blown away by the benefit and bewildered that it took so long for someone to prescribe it. I still don't have the strength and energy that I need but I am functioning at 80% to 90%. Before it was barely hanging on with suicidal periods. Savella was another good medication for me but not quite this good. The racing thoughts, paranoia, and insomnia are gone. I usually fall asleep within 15 minutes of lying down. Although I am having some nights of waking up after 3 hours. Just getting to sleep earlier and getting the required sleep I need has made a tremendous difference in how I function and cope. My side effect has been arthritis and weight gain."

• Negat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 10, 2022

"This drug ruined my life.I started taking it when I was 9 years old until I was 17. I gained 30 pounds. It made me so tired to the point I couldn’t wake up In the morning. I would miss school and sleep till 2 PM.My parents tried to wake me, and I would start throwing up every day if I woke up before 12 in the afternoon or pass out. It was nearly impossible to wake up. Keep in mind-I went to bed at 8 pm daily. I missed out on a lot of my life and failed high school because I couldn’t wake up. Which made me unable go to college. I would wake up drenched in sweat. I would get extreme stomach problems. I got nightmares so bad I woke up screaming. It made me socially awkward, and I slurred my words on it and started to forget how to speak. I had to go to a speech therapist. My parents forced me to take it. I secretly stopped taking both at 17 ,Although I feel it has changed my Brain permanently not for the better & long term health issues. My life became better as soon as I got off it and happier."

• Emily...
• April 23, 2017

"Worst medication I've ever been on. It has made me very flat, depressed, quiet, overweight, and also a case of anhedonia. I can't even talk to people anymore, just short answers and no enthusiasm. I also don't even enjoy nature anymore and I used to LOVE the outdoors. I've been feeling like a robot ever since I went on it 6 months ago. I know I should have told my doctor sooner. Last week I started dosing down and am praying that once I'm completely off of it I'll be feeling better and hope to have more life in me. I'm glad to see that it works for most people. Has anyone else experienced any of these side effects?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 31, 2012

"I have been severely depressed since birth of my child 5 years ago. I have been put on every medication out for depression and mood stability. This medicine is the best. I have not felt this good in years."

• Any...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 8, 2015

"I have been on various antidepressants since i was 18, with some relief at times. I've been very functional all along but never happy. I've used other illicit substances to self medicate. I saw a psychiatrist when I finally got sick and tired of spinning my wheels. She diagnosed me with bipolar 2 and put me on saphris. For the first month, I felt AMAZING. I was getting things done at home, at work, and even nurturing a social life again. The med still works weekly for my mood but I've gained 20 lbs in just 2months. This is really starting to get me down. The med had changed my life, but I'm not sure how much longer I can deal with the weight gain. If it weren't for the weight, I would've given it a10."

• Anony...
• December 20, 2013

"I have Bipolar Disorder I, with rapid cycling and mixed states. I tried Saphris when I was recovering from a hospitalization which was very unpleasant and ended very badly. So I was a bit manic and terribly anxious going on it. I took it for 6 days. It seemed to work almost right away. I was shakey and anxious throughout the 6 days. Extremely sleepy and dizzy after my 5mg at bedtime. But that wore off after 4 days. Mood-wise, it seemed to completely stall my cycling. Miracle! And I was much calmer and less reactive, but definitely awake during the days. Then after my 6th dose I noticed my lips were puffy, and my tongue was fatter, then my throat got tight = allergic reaction. Worked great until that!"

• Mrspi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2016

"Started on Saphris 2 months ago for sleep and bi-polar. I started at 5 mg---total nightmare! Couldn't sleep, picked arguments with my husband and was generally very hyped and energetic ( in a good but bad way!). I never saw a manic episode coming at me--but I saw this one! After 5 days I called the doctor and was advised to go up to 10mg. WOW!! Immediate turn around that night (I only take it at night) and my sleep was fantastic! My attitude was amazing and my husband was delighted with his loving and easy going wife! I felt great--not drugged just happy and content. Work with it--it's turned my life around!"

• needy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

"First night I took it, sent me into a psychedelic dream. it was like a full psychedelic trip. I went into the 4th dimension and was communicating with my past/present/future self all at once. I was everything and everyone. I was matter. energy. I was the universe. Before this drug, I never dreamt. I slept like a baby, but Saphris completely changed that.I was in full blown insanity, and on and off psychosis for days after the trip. In my mind, we are all one. so death is nothing. I am everything anyway, this shell of a body I use is not me. waking up felt like I had just come out of a coma, I had no idea who I was, where I was, and how long had passed. one second in our time felt like millions of millions of years in my dreams. I took it for another 3 days, then stopped. to this day the nightmares have never left. Some nights are worse then other. From just this one 'dream', whatever was in that drug changed something in my brain forever."

• Jessie
• September 13, 2017

"After 15 years of trying different meds, this is the first one to give me a positive change. I used to be suicidal everyday & had a hard time leaving the house. Everything was overwhelming. Since starting Saphris my mind finally feels like it has "brakes" and my thoughts feel lighter. I'm feeling true happiness, even happy to wake up. Little to no side effects 3 months in. I take it at night because it does make me sleepy. Sugar cravings I've noticed but an trying to control that because honestly this med is giving me my life back. Cons: 20 minutes of a nasty taste in your mouth because you dissolve it under your tongue. Sugar/carb cravings but no excess weight gain yet."

• Life...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 9, 2014

"I started out with 20 mg of Saphris but stayed groggy. Went down to 10 mg and have been on it for 6 months. I also take a sleep aid at night and now I sleep 6-7 hrs compared to 3-4. No running thoughts in my head. The longest time I have ever stayed out of the hospital in 12 years. I feel wonderful, when I start getting anxious, I take a 5 mg with my Xanax and I am good to go. Downside: Gained 50 pds and cholesterol is through the roof, even though I do not eat red meat. Always have the munchies though. Had to start on a statin medicine. Blood sugar is higher than usual but within range. Keeping an eye out on this too. But this is the only medicine that has worked for me without being a zombie or continued mixed episodes."

• Heidi...
• February 18, 2016

"I took Saphris and was given 10 mg samples from my Dr. I felt great! After a few weeks of samples- I went to fill my prescription.....After insurance it was $400.00! I couldn't afford to get it filled. It really stinks that a medication that made such a difference for mental health could be so costly. I can only imagine this is why so many go without medication for mental illness."

• djeck
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 29, 2014

"Bipolar with mixed episodes, ADHD and severe anxiety. Saphris was a miracle for me also. I've been on disability for 10 years and this is the first medicine I've taken that has made me functional. Absolutely can't take it the morning; it makes me incoherent for about 3 hours and I eat everything in sight. So I take all 20 mgs at night and am doing fine. Have mouth sores, though. My doctor said to alternate between taking it sublingually, supra lingually and but ally and it's helping. "

• KristiR
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 17, 2013

"I am currently taking 1/4 of a 5 mg tablet (but started out on a 1/2 tablet) of Saphris at night. I am also on Lexapro, 10 mg for depression and anxiety. The combo works great. I have horrible insomnia/waking in the night on just Lexapro (or other SSRI's I've tried) but with Saphris I sleep great and wake up refreshed! Only downside is that I've put on 10-15 pounds in the last 6 months, but not sure if it is due to the Lexapro or Saphris or both. I eat very healthy (just too much) and exercise regularly....but find myself always feeling hungry. Oh well...at least I'm happy!"

• Lovaj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2016

"I had tried many medications to level out my bipolar disorder and relieve my GAD and it seemed that when I would get one symptom straight one of the others would reappear. Years it took, eventually my doc decided to try something new when the depression hit and nothing seemed to be helping. So I started trileptal, which helped noticeably but I wasn't sleeping so he recommended saphris to help me sleep, I was a little apprehensive but desired to feel better so I agreed to try it. I am beyond satisfied with it. I feel better than I have been in as long as I remember. I am back in school full time and working full time without the edginess if mania. I feel like myself again. My friends and family have commented on how well I seem to be."