Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Chiyo
• January 7, 2017

Vraylar (cariprazine) "A couple of weeks after taking Vraylar, I started noticing that (as having Bipolar 2) my moods weren't really changing. Finally, sometime near the third week, I started noticing that I was pacing, couldn't seem to concentrate on anything, and had a hard time simply sitting down. I realized that it was making me manic. I DO NOT AT ALL want anyone else to take this if anyone notices these side effects. I am going to stop it immediately, I nearly had a breakdown. Could not stop crying. Also going to talk to my doctor about it, but I can't continue it. I wasn't even paying for it because I was taking a sampler, and my doctor was going to give me a voucher to see if my insurance would take it."

• Doug
• July 1, 2018

Vraylar (cariprazine) "Vraylar has been a blessing for me. After years of trying almost every bipolar medication out there and experiencing terrible side effects, I was almost out of options. I was taking 1200 mg of lithium daily, which was causing the worst stomach pains, and I was constantly running to the bathroom. I started Vraylar and almost immediately saw a positive effect. My stomach pains went away, my mood became more balanced, and it even helped with my cognitive abilities as well. Short-term side effects were stomach ache, shaky hands, and uneasiness, but they went away after 2-3 days of taking the medication. I've noticed such an improvement (and so has my wife) that we only wish this drug was on the market years ago. I would highly recommend this as an option for BP 1 if you have tried all of the other medications. LOVE IT!"

• AylaC...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 1, 2023

Vraylar (cariprazine) "This medicine was the MOST effective drug I have taken since I started taking medications, and that includes 10+ medications. I actually felt incredibly happy for the first time in years. It is super effective for both bipolar depression and mania. Unfortunately, I gained 40 pounds in under a year. It makes me sick that I had to choose between my mental health and my physical health. The weight gain, besides the obvious huge changes to my body and self-esteem, has caused significant back pain to the extent of seeing a chiropractor as well as knee pain. Sciatica was part of the back pain sometimes, which is miserable. I just kept gaining weight. Now, when I mentioned to my psychiatric doctor I needed to change again because of the weight gain, he blithely mentioned that now they automatically start people out with metformin or similar medication when prescribing Vraylar and it keeps the patient from gaining weight. So, with that info, maybe it will help someone else."

• MD1
• June 22, 2017

Vraylar (cariprazine) "I have been on Vraylar for probably 4 or 5 months now. It has been great. At first, I didn't think it helped, then we doubled my dose from 3 mg to 6 mg, and it started to work. It keeps my mixed episodes at bay, which are always the ones that get me hospitalized. Any drug that will keep me out of the hospital is a miracle drug for me. Also, I have gained no weight on it (I've actually lost 7 lbs) despite the studies showing quick weight gain. Overall, I'd say give Vraylar a shot if your doctor recommends it. There are very few side effects compared to the other atypicals I've been on, and I've been on quite a few. Also, go to Vraylar's website and get the coupon called Vraypay. It reduced my copay to just $15!"

• DeeDee
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2019

Vraylar (cariprazine) "For the first 3 days, I felt a reduction in anxiety but had a cloudy feeling. Over the next week, I started to get depressed and increasingly groggy. In weeks 2 and 3, I thought I was going to die. I was up all night long shaking and extremely agitated. My heart was thumping. I had a terrible headache and dizziness. I only slept 2-3 hours and only during the day. For anyone who is experiencing these side effects, I hope you find some peace knowing you are not alone. The drug has a long half-life, so it’s going to take me a few days, but I hope I can get back to my regular state."

• Weird...
• February 11, 2017

Vraylar (cariprazine) "I started this medication 3 days ago, and I never get side effects from medication ever. This medication messed me up. From the first day, I started getting headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting multiple times a day. I completely lost my appetite, and the weird side effect I got is hiccups. I literally get hiccups 8-10 times a day. I'm stopping this medication because it's not worth feeling like poop all day."

• Georg...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2018

Vraylar (cariprazine) "Let me say that Vraylar 3 mg has been a Godsend for me. I am not all over the place with my moods and not agitated. I felt like I was going down the rabbit hole, and this changed all of that. I am not aware of any side effects on myself. I’ve been on this for a year and a half and would encourage anyone to try it when your doctor suggests it. I also take Luvox and Trazodone to sleep. I do have trouble sleeping, but had that before ever starting the Vraylar."

• Pickl...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 10, 2020

Vraylar (cariprazine) "I love Vraylar. I feel amazing on it. I’m totally stabilized, but the issue I have is ever since I started taking it, I haven’t had a period. And I’m not sure if this is a side effect of the Vraylar. Been to the gyno, and everything is fine via blood work and uterine biopsy. So I don’t know, maybe something to look out for."

• tessa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2016

Vraylar (cariprazine) "It worked for me. In the beginning, I thought it wasn't working, but it was just building up, I guess. I was still having auditory hallucinations when I did too much stuff and didn't sleep properly, but that was just me. The Vraylar stopped my delusions of 'everyone is trying to modify me' or 'everyone is plotting to put me in the mental hospital.' I am getting along fine with everyone now! Unfortunately, even with the copay, I can't afford it. So I'm switching to another antipsychotic. Just sharing that this medication does work. My blood sugar didn't go sky high, which was a huge fear of mine because I did go full-blown diabetic and had to be hospitalized on other antipsychotics (which I will not name). I did not gain any weight."

• Years...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2019

Vraylar (cariprazine) "I started on Vraylar 1.5 mg and took samples for about 2 months. I felt great on it, like I never had before on any other meds. But the side effect that I can’t shake is the drowsiness and 'fog' that started almost immediately. I didn’t want to quit because I felt better in every other way. I quit 2 days ago, and I feel extremely less tired. I am going to have to find another medicine. I wouldn’t be able to afford it anyway!"

• Draag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2019

Vraylar (cariprazine) "My psych doctor started me on this, and at first, nothing happened at the 1.5 dose. Once he increased it to 3 mg, everything went south. I started hallucinating and not sleeping. It exasperated my bipolar problems. Needless to say, I am no longer on it."

• AJano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2019

Vraylar (cariprazine) "I have been on Vraylar 1.5 mg for a month. It causes me to bite and chew my lips and tongue uncontrollably, till they bleed. I also clench my jaw. I take Artane (trihexyphenidyl) 5 mg 2x/day for side effects. It works, but if I forget to take Artane, my life is a misery of chewing my face. I still have problems with my mood, but my psychosis, paranoia, and delusions are gone. I never realized I was psychotic all the time until taking Vraylar."

• Kount...
• October 9, 2017

Vraylar (cariprazine) "I have been on Vraylar a year now, and it's by far the best medication I have been on. I did have restlessness at first, but I have lost over 50 pounds since being on it. I feel like I got my life back."

• Jenny
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2022

Vraylar (cariprazine) "I am on day 2 of Vraylar at 1.5mg for manic depression and bipolar. I feel really weird. I feel cloudy. Like a zombie. As if someone has their finger on top of my head holding me down so I don’t get up. My face feels heavy. I want to talk but feel as if I can’t. Does that make sense? I will not be taking this med again. I feel really out of it. No emotions. You cannot tell me that in clinical studies none of these side effects came up. Messing with my brain that’s for sure. I am tired and feel like I am about to have a MAJOR panic attack. I can’t wait for this feeling to go away. It’s scaring me. I feel unsteady as if I could easily fall. No way I could drive. Things are really slowed down in movement. Weirdest I’ve felt since taking lithium. Vraylar is going to be a huge NO for me."

• Maine
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 10, 2019

Vraylar (cariprazine) "Good for handling mania. Gave me energy back. When my dosage was increased due to mild depression, I experienced weight gain of about 40 pounds! I'm a petite woman, so the weight gain was just too much for me. I tried to stick with the med, but I could not fit into anything. My appetite kept increasing, and the depression did not go away."

• Camop...
• March 25, 2017

Vraylar (cariprazine) "I started this 2 weeks ago. I have mixed manic bipolar disorder. I was on Latuda and Risperdal for 3 years. I finally got off of them after the doctor realized it was messing with me. On Vraylar, I noticed I sleep less, like only 8 hours instead of 10-12. I also feel better, I don't hear voices anymore, and I felt good enough to cut and color my hair. 2 weeks ago, that would've been out of the question. I've started exercising, and I've noticed the side effect of restlessness. I hope it goes away! Overall, this is a wonder drug!"

• Frankie
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2018

Vraylar (cariprazine) "I've had severe depression alongside bipolar. I've been on Vraylar for about 3 months. My depression lessened significantly. Recently, I've been restless and dealing with insomnia (even with sleeping medicine), and I have constant anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I have also gotten agitated, and it feels like it's almost pushing me into a manic episode. It's very scary and lonely to be put in this position. These side effects were not discussed at all. I don't suggest this medicine."

• Suibian
• April 10, 2021

Vraylar (cariprazine) "Vraylar was, for me, quite awful. I was constantly drowsy and foggy. I would go to sleep for 12 hours, wake up for four, nap for four, and then stay awake for another four before collapsing from exhaustion. I was also pretty nauseated. I didn't see any meaningful change in my mood. What most disappoints me about my experience with Vraylar is that it was really pitched to me as a miracle drug: few side effects, quick appearance of positive effects, etc. However, it was a nightmare for me, and based on online reviews, my experience is a very common one. I have to say that it honestly really reduced my trust in my psychiatrist. (For some context, I'm bipolar 2 with ADHD. I've been on a lot of different things, and found that overall I respond poorly to atypical antipsychotics. I've been taking Wellbutrin for depression/anxiety, and it's really worked wonders for me. Now if only I could go to sleep before it's literally dawn, eat more than one meal a day, and actually get work done...)"

• MJ2645
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 23, 2019

Vraylar (cariprazine) "I took Vraylar as an add on along side Wellbutrin and Lithium for Major depressive disorder. I took the med as directed at night, went to bed. The next morning I got out of bed walked a few paced and then my ears started ringing, I got sweaty, my vision dimmed and I passed out on the floor. My mom (who has a background in nursing) had to revive me. Both my blood sugar and blood pressure had crashed. I picked up the medication info. for Vraylar looked it over and saw that the med. may lower your blood sugar and blood pressure. So the moral of the story for me was always read the med. info packet. Also if you have naturally low blood pressure or blood sugar issues you'd be better off not taking this med. (Note: I am not a M.D. and this is just my opinion from my own personal experience with the drug.)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 9, 2023

Vraylar (cariprazine) "This has been a total game changer. I've been on pretty much all the meds with little to no impact on the debilitating depression I've had associated with bipolar type 2. Within 2 days I was up moving and actually happy which I haven't felt in 20 years. If you're giving up and your doctor wants to prescribe this, take it. Don't give up. There's a cocktail that ultimately should help, it just sucks waiting and trying...but keep trying."

• None
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2019

Vraylar (cariprazine) "Tried Vraylar 1.5mg for Bipolar and the first time I tried it, my foot cramped so badly I had to manually unbend all of my toes with my hand. Quit taking it and tried again about 9 months later. It caused rage this time unlike anything I've experienced. I don't see how this drug is approved to improve mood. No telling what it would have done to my brain chemistry."

• rachel
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2017

Vraylar (cariprazine) "This medication has been a life changer for me. No weight gain. Side effects for the first week or so. I did become dependent on it and became crazy after missing a few doses of it. It is absolutely perfect for mixed episodes. It is the best medication I have found so far. I have been taking it for about two months, I believe."

• Leeza
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2017

Vraylar (cariprazine) "This is my second post. I was waiting for my insurance to approve this med. I've been on samples starting at 1.5, then to 3 mg, and now 4.5 mg. Other than a little bit of restlessness, I am tolerating this med quite well (after trying over 40 other meds). It has been 2 months since I began taking it, and at least some of the suicidal thoughts have dissipated. I will continue to take it and work up to 6 mg starting next month. But by far, one of the best bipolar meds I have tried in over 9 years!"

• Lucas
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2023

Vraylar (cariprazine) "For a drug that costs as much as a monthly mortgage payment you would expect much better results. Tremors, overheating, restlessness. This drug simply made me feel no emotions but gave me such bad tremors I feared going in public. Luckily the side effects faded but you can get far more effective bipolar meds for a fraction of the price. Avoid."

• Cate
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2020

Vraylar (cariprazine) "My Dr at a mental health hospital prescribed me this because along with bipolar she said I had severe impulsive borderline personality disorder (BPD). This medicine really calms me down but the indigestion and the insomnia are a pain. What can I do to help those out? I'm going to talk to my dr today too."