Auvelity and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "At first, I thought I had found a winner. For the first few days, I was getting out for daily walks, more motivated with work, laughing more, and drinking a lot less - and no side effects! But then the benefits gradually disappeared, replaced by crippling insomnia and anxiety about a week after going up to two doses a day. I didn't sleep for four days straight; I was falling down walking to the bathroom and had double vision. It was really scary. I had to ask for a short course of Ativan or else end up in the ER. The insomnia resolved by dropping back to one dose, then the anxiety resolved immediately after discontinuation. Please be advised that there is no safe way to taper down from the starter dose (it's timed release), and most compounding pharmacies don't take insurance. So I got off cold turkey. I had only been on it a month, but after three days, I got brain zaps (manageable) for a couple of days, and anxiety and disorientation for several that have only just resolved. Good luck."

• MDD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2025

For Major Depressive Disorder "I took Auvelity for about 3 months. I suffer from MDD, SAD, and GAD. I also work in health care and am on my feet all day. I felt a difference in my energy after the first few doses of this med. It helped me tremendously that first month when I was suffering with depression. After the next few months, I had to stop taking this med due to my severe GAD and insomnia. I think this med is excellent and effective with individuals with treatment-resistant depression, who suffer more from depression vs. anxiety. Some of us, like me :), just have too much anxiety to tolerate it. I am not saying this med causes anxiety, I cannot give it a bad rep because it truly did help my seasonal depression/MDD episodes, and I am thankful that I was able to take this medication! I just need something less stimulating due to my anxiety and insomnia. If you are suffering deeply with MDD and cannot get relief from a regular SSRI, I recommend it. I hope it helps you like it did for me when I needed it :)"

• Whi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 4, 2024

"I wanted to leave my review here for anyone who might benefit. I've had severe OCD and PTSD! The OCD was from the beginning but just got worse as I got older. The PTSD started at age 8 after severe trauma. All of this led to suicidal depression and 3 attempts. I have taken literally any drug you can name with no relief. I was very reluctant to even try yet another 'anti-depressant', especially after learning how expensive it was and thinking that Medicaid would not cover it. I bought the first month for $1,100. This next part is where I truly hope I can help someone. I honestly had more side effects with this drug than any before. BUT even though the side effects continued, I very quickly began to feel better! The side effects continued for a long time with me. Having insomnia was really horrible. After paying for this, I learned that Medicaid would cover it with prior approval. As another person said, this is truly a treatment for PTSD. Unfortunately, not so much for OCD for me."

• hai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 13, 2025

For Major Depressive Disorder "I’ve tried a number of medications for my anxiety and depression over the years. Prozac was the only one that truly helped, though after about 5 years the benefits started to subside. Over the last few months, I’ve tried a few other medicines. I tried Auvelity hoping it might improve mood and motivation, and I was hopeful due to positive reviews and the slight feelings of improvement I noticed. In the first week, however, I experienced very vivid dreams, flu-like symptoms including nausea, faintness, and overheating, as well as sleep disruption. My body felt extremely hyper-aware, as if I could feel every heartbeat and even subtle eye movements, and I never got to the twice-a-day dosing (only took 1 per day). After several weeks, I noticed no meaningful improvement in mood, energy, or motivation. I think those with sensitive nervous systems or heightened sensitivity to medications may find the side effects difficult to tolerate, and for me, they outweighed any benefits."