Brexpiprazole and Depression: What Users Say

• Gra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 13, 2019

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "Update from my last post on July 5, 2018. Things are still going well but I have now gained 30 pounds within the past year of being on Rexulti. It has almost spiraled me back into a depression gaining so much weight, as body image was something that made me anxious and depressed already. Just wanted to give an update because I hadn't seen anyone else mention the weight gain."

• Jew...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2018

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "Rexulti saved my life! I was diagnosed with MDD and my PCP tried all the regular antidepressants (Buspar, Effexor, Wellbutrin). Those made me manic and worsened my depression. Dark cloud of gloom, not wanting to die, but not wanting to live like this. I found a Psychiatric NP who does medication management for people like me. She started me on 0.5 mg of Rexulti alone, no other meds and on day 4 my mojo came back. I am now in my 6th month of taking it in the a.m. and have a wonderful life again. Clear thoughts, happy, peaceful, and content. Even though this medication is usually prescribed as an add-on to an antidepressant, this works beautifully for me alone. Ask your doc about it, you've got nothing to lose."

• Liz...
• October 20, 2020

Brexpiprazole for Depression "I was taking Rexulti for about 8 months. At first, it was amazing, and all of a sudden, everything went downhill. I will NEVER go back on the drug. It made me extremely depressed, suicidal, and reckless. It put me in a mental hospital because of how dark my mood went. This medication is awful!!!!"

• Sba...
• April 24, 2019

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "I was given Rexulti as an adjunct, and it pulled me out of a dark hole pretty quickly (about 3 days). A dose of 1 mg worked for about 6 months, after a relapse, I went up to 2 mg, then 3 mg—anxiety off the charts. I found the dosage of 1 mg plus 0.5 mg (two prescriptions—cutting the higher dosages didn’t change the med on a molecular level) to be most effective. It was great for a long time. It was also so much better than Abilify (Abilify gave me horrible nightmares). Fast forward to 1.5 years later—I gained over 60 lbs (can’t lose anything either, even eating healthy foods—hunger unmanageable). So the weight gain is just as bad as Abilify. I am 2 weeks into tapering from 1.5 to 1 mg and have severe insomnia, body aches, joint pain, general sadness, lack of patience, and interest in usual activities. My doctor won’t do a faster tapering. I want this med out of my body ASAP. I’m done. Great short-term solution for depression, but crappy for the long term. Get the manufacturer coupon."

• Rex...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2019

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "I have MDD/GAD/ADD. Started Rexulti as an add-on to Zoloft. At first, it was great - I was seeing improvements to my mood within days. But it eventually kind of fizzled out. Also, it made me gain 40 lbs in the 9 months since I started taking it. I started tapering off of it, and this is where the real fun part begins. I rarely have issues stopping psych meds, and I’ve never experienced side effects as long as I’ve tapered my dose, at least not until Rexulti. It has been hell to come off of this med. I have never been so depressed in my life. It’s like I’m an empty husk. No feeling or emotion. My thinking has become remarkably slow, and my speech gives it away (it takes me forever to get through a sentence). Fortunately, this is temporary, but that doesn’t make it any less soul-crushing to experience. And it flares up even worse than before with every drop in dosage."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2019

Brexpiprazole for Schizophrenia "My daughter was taking Abilify for 6 years, and they switched her to this drug, Rexulti, because they said it had fewer weight gain issues. At first, it worked great for about 8 weeks, then just stopped working. She developed hiccups on and off with this medication, and her body temperature was going hot and cold. She then became very confused and could not focus, then extremely depressed, and I took her to the emergency room where, 16 hours later, she had a grand mal seizure. Don’t take this medication, I don’t think they’ve done enough research on it, and it is still too new. My daughter was in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks and still is unable to think properly or focus on anything and is still experiencing hiccups on and off now. I hope and pray she recovers. She was in college getting straight A’s before this."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2016

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "I haven't really seen much in the way of adverse effects from actual users being reported online, though I have tried to find them. My experience, as I have been taking it for about 3 months, is that it has worsened my depression, made me extremely antisocial and withdrawn, and very easily agitated. I stopped it a few days ago and have experienced a slight improvement in those symptoms already. Please use caution when taking this, as there is very little information out there about this drug, or how it is affecting actual patients. I will not be taking this drug again."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2016

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "I haven't really seen much in the way of adverse effects from actual users being reported online, though I have tried to find them. My experience, as I have been taking it for about 3 months, is that it has worsened my depression, made me extremely antisocial and withdrawn, and very easily agitated. I stopped it a few days ago and have experienced a slight improvement in those symptoms already. Please use caution when taking this, as there is very little information out there about this drug, or how it is affecting actual patients. I will not be taking this drug again."

• Abb...
• April 28, 2018

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "I struggle with anxiety, OCD, mood disorder, and depression. I started off on Prozac, which helped enormously with my anxiety and OCD. The depression and mood were something I still struggled with on some days, so the doc put me on Rexulti along with the Prozac. I read about the weight gain and was immediately scared, but I just lost 60 pounds (Prozac helped). I still took it though. Big mistake. I've been on it for 2 months, and I have found myself losing control. Nonstop eating, gaining weight, lost my energy and willingness to be active. I've been lacking motivation. Before any meds, I did not drive because my anxiety was so bad. Prozac changed that, and I have finally been driving! Rexulti has caused a reverse effect. I'm back to being anxious in a car. My family can see a change in a negative way. Spaced out and lacking energy. Not a fan of this medicine."

• Mer...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 7, 2021

Brexpiprazole for Depression "Rexulti sorted out absolutely everything as far as bipolar depression and mixed episodes go, save negative symptoms (lethargy, anhedonia), which I also take Vraylar for. Additionally, I take Depakote to avoid mania. I no longer have episodes, and my day-to-day mood is calm, hopeful, and energetic. No side effects that I've noticed. I thought it might have dampened my creativity somewhat, but then I stopped using mania as a crutch and just started working harder. My debut novel has won a pretty prominent award, so I must be doing something right. I attribute most of the heavy lifting in my cocktail to Rexulti because I had to go off it a couple of times briefly (screw-up at the pharmacy, etc.), and my mood plummeted very quickly. The difference is like night and day!"

• Gni...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 12, 2017

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on Rexulti 1 mg for a year after being on Abilify for a year or longer, taken off because it didn't work and I gained a lot of weight. I feel more depressed (crying for no reason), no energy, and I am having more anxiety attacks. I have also gained 20 more pounds. I want off. I am also on Fetzima and Klonopin."

• Dls...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2017

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "Rexulti has been my worst nightmare. I'm 48. Crying every day, inability to carry out everyday responsibilities, and far worse, super depressed. I've never been like this before. I just felt so much emotional pain. My husband called my doctor, and we suspect Rexulti. I'm off one day, and the super lows have diminished. Four more days, and it should be completely out of my system. Going back to Abilify. It's not perfect, but it doesn't take me to those super lows."

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2021

Brexpiprazole for Depression "Rexulti was added as a booster to my Trintellix. Once it was added, I gained 42 lbs in 4 months without changing my lifestyle. It was the worst time in my life. Obviously, meds are a decision that a doctor should help you make, but I would avoid this drug. Once I got off of both of those drugs, I got a new psychiatrist and started taking Wellbutrin. The 42 lbs came right off and my depression was so much better."

• Oko...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 1, 2023

Brexpiprazole for Depression "I took this drug for 2 weeks in different doses, from 1 to 3 mg. No effect or even deterioration while taking Rexulti. I did have problems with thinking, concentration, low mood, lack of motivation, big fatigue, and somnolence."

• Spa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 30, 2018

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "Rexulti helps my mood, but the weight gain is overwhelming. I can gain 3 lbs a week. I have gained over 15 lbs total. The weight gain is too depressing for me. I am going to try to go off it and see how that goes. I also take Lamictal and clonazepam. Hope I can do it. The weight gain is overwhelming."

• Dep...
• November 22, 2017

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on Rexulti for over 8 months. At first, I started feeling better than I've felt in years. I had more energy, laughing more, and generally felt like I was having a better quality of life. Then I started to have anxiety and felt on edge. I feel like I could go postal on anyone. I've said and done things that I would have never done before. I have bad thoughts and have become just so down. I have decided to stop Rexulti. I'd rather be depressed than feel as though I have lost control over myself."

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

Brexpiprazole 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."

• gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 29, 2023

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "I started with 0.25 mg of Rexulti along with my 27 mg Concerta for ADHD. At first, I didn't feel anything. I increased the dose to 0.5 mg, and I had an amazing week. I felt more sociable, smiled more, and didn't have the usual sense of shame. My mental flow was also improved, which may have been influenced by methylphenidate. However, after one week, everything disappeared, including my attention. I continued with the 27 mg of methylphenidate but increased the dose of Rexulti to 1 mg. Still, I felt depressed and not very talkative. I also experienced compulsive buying. Today, I increased the Rexulti dose to 2 mg, hoping for better results. Initially, Rexulti was an awesome drug that my system quickly adapted to without making things worse, but now it's not working. I will update if I feel better with 2 mg, and if not, I will taper it down and stop taking it. There's no point in increasing the dose further because I have ADHD and depression, and I'm not using SSRIs. I'm unsure whether to continue using this medication."

• Jos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2022

Brexpiprazole "Rexulti has changed my life. Ex-Australian Army, took me 10 years to get help and diagnosed with PTSD. I had anger outbursts, anxiety, mild depression, ADD, and other symptoms which I thought were normal. My doctor prescribed me Rexulti, and I started on 0.5 mg, and wow, it worked straight away. It's like I didn't know what normal felt like before. Everyone notices how calm I am. Little things used to set me off. This drug levels out your dopamine. After 2 weeks, I had to up to 1 mg because it wasn't quite working for 24 hours. Then 2 mg after 4 weeks. I've stayed on 2 mg now, and it's helped a lot. I'm lucky the government covers this for veterans, I pay $6 AUD a packet. I've noticed a small bald patch in my beard, but it's not bothering me. The pros definitely outweigh the cons."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2019

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "I have had a bit more energy since taking Rexulti 1 mg. I continue to struggle with loss of interest. I am finding I am sleeping better at night. I take it as an add-on."

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2022

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "This drug did nothing except make me gain weight. I gained 15 lbs in a month. Not worth it. Makes me more depressed that I have gained weight. My clothes are hard to fit now."

• Mik...
• May 2, 2023

Brexpiprazole for Depression "Was on this for two months, and it added depression and made me not feel good. Zoloft was helpful, so going back on that."

• Whu...
• January 18, 2016

"Started at 0.5 mg, now at 1 mg. I think that this medicine causes me to feel slightly depressed. A general feeling of not feeling good."