Brexpiprazole and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2017

Brexpiprazole for Depression "Added 1 mg to my Effexor 150 mg for depression and anxiety. This is helping, but I have major joint and body aches, with weight gain and stomach bloating. Also, OCD is worse. Don't know if I can stay on this due to these side effects."

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

Brexpiprazole 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."

• Ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2022

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "This is more of a side effect warning for anyone taking Rexulti. If your doctor prescribes this to you, please, please, please watch your weight!! I've gained weight due to antidepressants and antipsychotics before, but this medication made me gain 30 pounds in 3 months! I had to stop taking it because the weight gain was so rapid, which was fine because it stopped working anyway, but now I'm here three years later, still at least thirty pounds overweight. It's hard to exercise or eat healthy when you have a mental health issue, but this is something I really wish I had taken more seriously before. Take care of yourself. Don't let medication inadvertently make your life worse."

• C19...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2018

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "This medication has helped with depression, but ever since I started taking it, my OCD and intrusive thoughts have been out of control. Also, I gained about 40 lbs in 8 months, which is a HUGE downside, as I have major body image issues."

• Dai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2021

Brexpiprazole for Depression "It’s been a month on Rexulti. I’ve been on so many things until I was diagnosed with BPD. I’m using these as a mood stabilizer, and I have never felt better. I’m concerned with the reviews of weight gain because I’m already a curvy lady, but if my brain is healthy, my body will follow suit. Highly recommend."

• jan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2021

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "I love Rexulti so much that I had to leave a review. I’ve been on 3 mg for 7 months for bipolar disorder. It’s been my “lucky charm.” I no longer have suicidal thoughts. I still get hypomanic at times, but overall my mood is under control. However, it didn’t touch my anxiety, so we’re trying different antidepressants for that. Unfortunately, I have gained some weight from Rexulti, but I’ll take it."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 8, 2018

Brexpiprazole "Please beware that Rexulti can cause tardive dyskinesia! I have bipolar disorder with psychosis and was previously on Abilify but had to discontinue due to weight gain. I was told that Rexulti would have fewer side effects than Abilify, and after taking it for a while, it was helping a lot with my symptoms, but then I gained 30 pounds. However, the reason for writing this review is that I also developed multiple other side effects from taking this medication long-term, including high prolactin levels and tardive dyskinesia. Nobody warned me that tardive dyskinesia was a side effect of antipsychotics, but now I have slowly developed constant jerking movements in my left hand and arm. This began in my hand and progressed as time went on. Tardive dyskinesia can be permanent, and now I am left to find out if I will be permanently affected by this medicine. Please research this condition before taking antipsychotics, as it is much more common than expected with prolonged use."

• Nou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2021

Brexpiprazole for Depression "I went on this medication. I found in my particular experience that I put on lots of weight in a small amount of time, which only added to my distress. I'm not saying this will happen to everyone, I'm just writing this review from my perspective."

• jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 23, 2022

Brexpiprazole for Depression "I started Rexulti after I started having severe panic attacks. Everything was going great, and it made me feel unstoppable. I was going out with friends and trying to watch my weight, considering a side effect was weight gain. Then the problems started happening. I started having severe depressive episodes, panic attacks that caused my chest to hurt, and crying meltdowns. I think that this medicine is great for many people. I just happen to be one of the ones that it doesn’t help."

• jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2018

Brexpiprazole "I take Rexulti as an adjunct for my OCD (I am already on Luvox, an SSRI specifically for OCD). Rexulti has worked effectively even in the first week. The only problem is that it causes akathisia (including restless legs syndrome) - it's a movement disorder, which causes constant restlessness and urges to move around. It's easily manageable with medications like Cogentin, but akathisia sucks. I am also super, super thankful for that Rexulti hasn't caused any weight gain for me. In addition, this drug is unaffordably expensive!"

• Zez...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2021

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "Tldr: 10/10. Been depressed since ~10 years old. Rexulti changed my life for the better in less than 1.5 months. Newly 'chubby' but happy. Able to feel alive again. I never knew how 'normal' was supposed to feel since I can't remember what it was like; I've been depressed since I was 10 years old. All I knew is that how I felt wasn't how I should feel. I could tell people felt a wider range of emotions than me: passion, love, and happiness. Some medications seemed to help but never enough. Now I feel like the past few decades were a hazy dream that I've finally woken up from. It's as if I am in control again and not my depression. I even tend to surprise myself with my boldness and confidence now. The only negative is that I've gained ~10 lbs (115 to 125 lbs or so) in the last 2 months before I could keep track of what and how much I was eating. Everything is so much more vibrant now, especially food."

• Mir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2021

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "I have been checking in with my doc every 4 weeks for the past year. We have switched almost every month. It was overwhelming with the nausea, weight gain, etc. Nothing worked. These past 3 weeks I could not get out of bed. I lost a few friends and a family member I watched almost die all within the past 3 months. These waves knocked me out. The doc said let's try Rexulti. I was desperate. Willing to ride out the side effects. This time I could not even leave my room, go to the doctors, grocery store. No lie! No side effects and feel AMAZING within a week. 4 days to be exact. It might not work for you but have hope and give it a try. I have bipolar II and my rapid cycling is exhausting. I have hope I will stick with this new job, and I will start finding joy in my hobbies, I will start taking care of the house, my family, and cook dinner regularly again! I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!"

• Rox...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 12, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I was with clozapine about 3 years for schizophrenia, my side effect was I gained 80 pounds. I did the ketogenic diet to lose all my pounds, it was nice, but with that medication, I had no sex drive, meaning feeling nothing about this area. Very sad. My doctor has changed my medication for a new one (brexpiprazole). The first night I had a side effect: a very bad dream... just one time. My moods are awesome now, and my sex drive still works on it, so this is so much better!"

• A D...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 7, 2016

For Depression "This medicine helped my daughter like no other we have tried, and we've tried a lot over the past 8 years. She has bipolar II, and the depression with that has been very treatment-resistant. This is the first medicine I've seen her on where she is herself. The others have either done nothing, induced mania, or made her into a non-feeling zombie. The only downside is the weight gain. I just hope it continues to work over more time."

• reb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 21, 2017

For Depression "Like Abilify, this drug makes me feel more like my old self and much, much less depressed. However, like Abilify, I've gained nearly 30 pounds, my diabetes came back, higher blood pressure, swelling of legs/ankles, and total inability to sleep through a night. For health reasons, once again, I have to get off a great antidepressant and go back to having daily suicidal ideations and suffer. I hate the either/or. I've been putting it off, but I will die of a stroke or heart attack for sure and never see my fifties if I stay on. Average BP: 180/110-120. Pre-Abilify and Rexulti: 140/85-90. Still high, but not having my PCP call an ambulance every time for a routine check-up to go to the ER to quickly lower my BP. UGH."

• Tee...
• December 11, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "This medication is working. I do have weird dreams and insomnia. Latuda gave me restlessness, and this drug was the next best medication. I have gained weight and am not happy about that side effect. Otherwise, I feel like myself again."

• Wor...
• February 26, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "Was prescribed this due to a bout of severe depression along with Celexa. Was prescribed the lowest dose possible. After a few days, the horrible side effects began. I had terrible nightmares and woke up in night sweats. I was nauseous and dizzy constantly. I also became extremely paranoid and somewhat delusional. After a month, the side effects disappeared slightly, but I was still depressed and was gaining weight. I gained about 20 pounds just being on this medication one month. Needless to say, I discontinued the medicine immediately. Why can't they come out with an antidepressant that doesn't have a million dangerous side effects?"

• 15m...
• May 5, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I'm a bit bipolar, and so far this med is working great! It has calmed my mind down so much. It's helping me to slow down and make better decisions. I'm not so manic. I was on Abilify for 5 years, it worked great at first but turned me into a manic, gambling freak! This stuff is great so far. Only side effect is that it makes me hungrier than normal. So I see some weight gain in my future."

• Str...
• August 12, 2017

For Depression "Rexulti is a terrible medication. Didn't seem to work at all and made me gain about 25 lbs. At 32, my metabolism isn't quite as quick as it once was, so I'm having trouble getting the weight off. Only been off the medication for a couple of weeks. My doctor changed me over to Seroquel per my request. As long as I am not overly sedated or have weight issues, Seroquel is fine with me. I know many do not like it for the side effects and overall sedation. I feel like Rexulti slowed down my metabolism because I cannot explain the excessive weight gain over such a short period. It's a newer drug, so we do not know much about it. Whatever the case, don't take the stuff. It doesn't work anyways."

• uno...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2017

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "This stuff works - simply amazing. I've been struggling with MDD for over two years, and .5 mg Rexulti got me moving again, slowly moved up to 2 mg with my 150 mg of venlafaxine. Amazing. Only complaint is the weight gain. I do have some anxiety, but that is controlled well with lorazepam and diazepam."

• Gla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2021

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "I suffered two major depressive episodes. The last one was recent, and I suffered predominantly from emotional lability, zero energy, cognitive and memory issues. I was given 1 mg Rexulti along with my daily dose of 450 Wellbutrin. After a handful of weeks, I was much better and could return to work (I was off work). I attributed my feeling better to lack of stress while off work and not Rexulti, which made me very hungry. I did gain weight, so I asked to go off of it. I was easing off with 0.5 mg daily for 14 days. On day 14, I crashed: emotional lability, cognitive issues, everything came back, and I had to once again be off work. I tried to continue with 0.5, but only after I went back to 1 mg, and after about 2 weeks of being on 1 mg was I 'back to normal.' My experience going off of it and the ramifications proved to me that this medication works. I went back to work and continued on as normal. I did gain weight, which was already an issue."

• ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 19, 2025

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "I'm female and in my mid-thirties. I've been on Rexulti for 5 years. I started on 0.5 mg, and my doctor upped it to 1 mg a year and a half ago to help manage my co-occurring anxiety. I'm also on Trintellix (20 mg) for my depression and Concerta (18 mg) for my ADHD. An added bonus of this medication is that it helps with the irritability and psychomotor agitation I experience as an autistic person. I have noticed weight gain (it kind of snuck up on me, lol) and fatigue, as well as a feeling of sedation, and my dreams have been vivid and strange. But I'll take these side effects over a consistently low mood, an inability to experience joy, and complete dysfunction in all areas of my life. Since taking Rexulti, I've been able to work, take a course, study for a continuing education exam, socialize more, and feel better overall. While I don't love the side effects, this drug has been helpful overall."

• swe...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 15, 2025

Brexpiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "This is a great medicine. It has pulled me out of major depressive disorder. I have been taking it for the last 7 years, 4 mg a day, and it has had no side effects except weight gain. So far, very good medicine. High five!!"

• Ave...
• January 21, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been placed on Rexulti for bipolar II. It is effective with my mood; however, I have experienced weight gain, muscle soreness, and even stopped getting my menstrual period. I am planning on trying something different."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2019

Brexpiprazole for Depression "For those who like this medication, Rexulti, but stop because they gain weight, I'm on the keto (low carb) diet and you will not gain weight. You have to stick to it."