Rexulti and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Alw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2021

For Depression "Rexulti is the 6th AD that I had taken over 13 years. It's also the first one to work. Hands down, 10/10. The first 5 ADs provided minimal help and maximum side effects (fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, long-term IBS, etc.). In general, they moved serious depression and anxiety to moderate, but at an unsustainable cost. Rexulti is entirely different. Within 1 day, I noticed a big difference, in 3 days, I was me. For the first time in 13 years. My depression is in remission, my anxiety is around 20% of what it was. Huge win, and more to come. I think I need time for pathways and habits to rewire. Side effects: weight gain, but not a lot. Perhaps some sleep issues. Bonus: this is the time of year that I struggle the most. I had really bad Seasonal Affective Disorder, even as a kid. It's gone now, although the weight and sleep side effects may be SAD, not the drug."

• Pam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2016

For Depression "When my psychiatrist finally put me on 1 mg of Rexulti, it was a lifesaver. My latest depressive episode seemed intractable until then, but a major drawback has been sleep interruption, often as early as 3 a.m. My mind races, and it's often more fun to get up than to stay in bed. I rarely sleep beyond 6 a.m., no matter how late I go to sleep. My much-valued afternoon naps have also become infrequent too. I also take Pamelor 75 mg per day and Seroquel 75 mg per day. The doctor said that I'd have to come off the Seroquel since it's the same drug family as the Rexulti. Well, I've decided to get off the Rexulti and keep my Seroquel since the Seroquel helps me sleep and wears off by morning. Rexulti is absurdly expensive."

• Dre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "My doctor started me on Rexulti 0.5 mg to add to 150 mg of Prozac daily. The first side effect was nightmares; very vivid nightmares at that! The next side effect (on or about day 5 or 6) was not being able to sleep. If I did get to sleep, I would wake up every 2 hours. What caused me to stop taking Rexulti completely was the incredibly painful headaches I got. I took Advil, Tylenol, and baby aspirin, and still had the headaches. With each heartbeat, I could feel blood rushing to my head. I thought I was having a stroke. I called my doc today. She says to taper off (but I've only been on it for 3 weeks). I already threw it away. I am staying away from all the 'new' meds until there are more studies done."

• Los...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I began Rexulti about 7 weeks ago (also on Lamictal, Cymbalta, and different benzodiazepines), increasing slowly every 2-3 weeks. By the time I hit 3 mg, everything swung out of control with my anxiety, OCD, compulsive thoughts, and sleep - I was all out of whack. My initial experience was pleasant - my mood stabilized quickly and I had more energy. Sleep was better, yet some pretty vivid dreams which initially I could manage. By the time I hit 3 mg (after initially blaming some life stressors for increased anxiety), I realized it was when I bumped to 2 mg that my anxiety, OCD, and sleep problems were amplified even further. So I am going off the med now. Side effects were too severe..."

• Rom...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2023

For Schizophrenia "I switched from Seroquel to Rexulti because my doctor told me it would make me lose weight. In fact, that was the only positive thing I can say about Rexulti. Unfortunately, Rexulti made me very restless, and I had trouble sleeping. In addition, even in the highest dose, it hardly worked against my depression and negative schizophrenic symptoms. I had to be hospitalized for acute suicidality. Overall, I can only recommend this drug to those who do not require sedation. For people like me, Seroquel is far better."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "I suffered with clinical depression for nearly six months. I had no motivation to do anything. I was on an antidepressant that helped relieve the hopelessness. When Rexulti was added to my regimen, I finally started to feel some relief. I began wanting to do things again. My biggest handicap was fatigue, which I attributed to my sedentary lifestyle for half a year. Little by little, my motivation returned, and my general outlook improved. I would say I felt relief beginning within the first week of treatment. I have experienced some insomnia. Otherwise, I am very happy with Rexulti, and I'm not sure it has caused my sleep disturbances."

• vmr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2018

For Depression "I have dealt with MDD, GAD, and PTSD meds for over 30 years and have had periods of relief with different cocktails, some lasting 5-6 years, but as many of you know, I built a tolerance to them all. A year and a half ago, my anxiety started waking me up and quickly became complete insomnia, and we tried many combinations for now four disorders and was able to sleep but woke feeling depressed. I take nefazodone, amitriptyline, and clonidine, and my psychiatrist gave me a Rexulti sample pack, but from the first 0.5 tablet, I had a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep until I had none. I rated Rexulti a 6 because in my experience with this product, adjunct to the tricyclics, my depression disappeared completely by the second, but for me, I choose sleep but am very envious of those people who have no bad side effects and good insurance because the cost of this on Medicare will put you in the donut hole."

• Roa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 6, 2019

"After a rough time with Abilify, suggested Rexulti by my pdoc for my Bipolar 2. Although it takes away the worst of my mood swings, I find myself having difficulty sleeping (and weird dreams!), to the extent that I can't *not* sleep for 12 hours a night. I've taken it for a while, so I have not been bothered to find something more long-term with fewer side effects, because I'd rather not rock my stability too much (and the withdrawal was absolutely killer when I was out for a few days!). Insurance only covered it with a TAR form. Before submitting my TAR form, I also tried Buspirone, Bupropion, and Sertraline. I still take the Sertraline as a depression supplement."

• Sch...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2018

For Schizophrenia "This medicine is horrible. My hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia are increased 10 times worse than before. I have agitation, body temperature dysregulation issues, dizziness, insomnia (despite taking Temazepam), and it makes it difficult to think. I don't recommend this medication."

• Haz...
• July 17, 2021

"Rexulti is a satisfactory to mediocre drug for me. I tolerate it well, but it doesn't give me the cognitive benefit I am looking for. Rexulti slows the mind and has a mellowing effect. I don't have easy access to my vocabulary, and writing creatively on this drug is just not going to happen. It is not particularly sedating, as I don't feel tired all the time. I have found that I am regularly experiencing mild but pervasive headaches and broken sleep on it. I can still get out of bed easily enough, though. To end on a positive note, whilst taking this drug, my frightening religious delusions have abated completely, and I am no longer experiencing regular and repeated episodes of extreme fear and paralyzing anxiety. I must add that I worked very hard on changing my belief system and thought patterns that were causing the fear. I worked with a spiritual counselor three to four months prior to starting on Rexulti. For whatever reason, it worked."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have taken this drug for 2 days, and I am stopping. I am experiencing the worst insomnia from this med, only one I have added. I was prescribed Rexulti for anxiety and depression."

• RX2...
• October 17, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "It works!! I can control my emotions. However, I am packing on the pounds like you would not believe and am having trouble sleeping at night."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2025

For Agitation Associated with Dementia Due to Alzheimer’s Disease "It is given at night, which causes insomnia when one walks. Then is tired during the day. Is also given buspirone, 5 mg and mirtazapine 15 mg in the morning."