Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Lee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2017

"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!"

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2023

"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 out in public. Luckily, the side effects faded, but you can get far more effective bipolar meds for a fraction of the price. Avoid."

• Sad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 29, 2017

"This medication works for me. I can get housework done, mow the grass, and just push myself to do things now. Sometimes I can't sit still. Side effects were sore muscles and nausea, which went away after a few days. Depression is gone. The only thing is it makes me a little bit nervous and on edge, so I take something else for that."

• mus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2017

"Have had a great experience with Vraylar. Went from oversleeping on a regular basis (on Risperidone) to sleeping a healthy 8-10 hours. Feel sharper, more social, and generally in a better mood. Unfortunately, have been dealing with insomnia and on-and-off nausea. It's been two weeks since starting. Overall, the positives outweigh the negatives, and I'm hoping the side effects subside over time. Give it a shot."

• lob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2020

"Bipolar for 27 years. Been on every medication available prior to 2010. Never had hallucinations till trying Vraylar. After just a few doses, I saw baby dragons crawling up the side of my fireplace. Didn't take it long enough to know if it helped my bipolar. But I do know that even if it did, Vraylar is definitely not for me."

• Cma...
• August 5, 2016

"After reading the previous reviews, I wasn't expecting much. Boy, was I wrong! This has been the best three months that I have had in sixteen years. I'm alert, full of energy, strong enough to carry out daily activities. I can play with my eight grandchildren, participate in spiritual activities, etc. I feel like someone has turned on a switch to my life. Best of all, my insurance covered it. No need for naps anymore."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2017

"Been 3 weeks that I have been on Vraylar 1.5. In the first 2 weeks, I was feeling fast palpitations or panic attacks. The doctor gave me clonazepam for my panic attacks, which I used for 3 days, and now I am just taking Vraylar 1.5, and my depression is gone and my panic attack also. I feel very happy with this medicine. I have been diagnosed with bipolar #1 for about 29 years, and this medicine works great!"

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

"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."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2019

"Started on Vraylar 1.5 mg for 3 weeks, mild side effects... went up to 3 mg and the insomnia, restlessness, and agitation were horrible. I made it in 5 days and then saw the doctor. I have Bipolar I, and she suggested I go back down to 1.5 and added 5 mg of Abilify. My body was sore for the first few days, but I’m starting to feel good again, and taking the Abilify at bedtime helps with sleep."

• Jer...
• January 21, 2018

"My daughter used this drug for three weeks. The third week, she was restless and walked all over the house. She could not sleep at all. The third day, she took two 1.5 mg Vraylar, and by afternoon, her whole body was shivering, and she could not drink water. We rushed her into an ER. She is in the hospital now. The neurologist prescribed medicine to reverse the effects of Vraylar. Her system is flushed out, and so is her brain. She does not shiver anymore, but her thinking ability is affected, and she cannot have continual thoughts. She is restless and can’t sleep more than two hours. She is under psychiatrist observation, and this drug is stopped. Thus, when you use this drug, be careful and observant."

• lac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2018

"I am so excited my Dr. recommended this. I have never been diagnosed with bipolar but take anxiety medicine and told him that I wasn't happy, just 'there.' After being on this for a week, I feel like a whole new person, and within the past month of being on it, it has gotten even better. I realized I am singing in the car again and not taking my job or kids so seriously - life happens. I am enjoying people and wanting to step outside of my routine. Finally laughing a lot. The negative, it makes me very sleepy, so I take 1.5 mg at night only. I have crazy dreams, but am willing to deal with that to keep feeling like I do. Insurance didn't cover it, but I got a coupon from the Dr. for now."

• Jac...
• January 25, 2017

"Started taking Vraylar for bipolar depression after a huge miss with Latuda. Started at 1.5 mg, and it worked quite well. Doctor upped dosage to 3 mg, but a severe case of akathisia set in where I would force myself to sleep just to stop moving. It was dreadful. Went back down to 1.5 mg, and it's been wonderful fighting the depression and seasonal affective disorder."

• Twy...
• February 10, 2017

"Tonight is the first time I have taken Vraylar. It is 2/9/17. I plan to give this medicine a chance and will keep others posted on how it is affecting me. I was very hesitant trying a new drug. My doctor is supplying me with 1.5 mg samples. I do feel like a guinea pig because there doesn't seem to be very much feedback on Vraylar so far. I've been diagnosed for many years now as having Bipolar II and severe anxiety disorder. I do have a history of intense anger, manic episodes, and sadness. Currently, I am taking Xanax up to 3 times per day as needed for anxiety, Lamictal 200 mg, and Lorazepam 2 mg at night. I also take 2 types of thyroid meds during the day. I am very hopeful that Vraylar will work, but really fear weight gain. This is post #1."

• Les...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2018

"I was diagnosed with bipolar I many years ago but have only really started taking meds and managing it. I've been on Lamictal 150 mg twice a day and Klonopin 1 mg as needed. In the last month, I started having more anxiety, and the Lamictal just didn't seem as effective anymore. My doc started me on the Vraylar 1.5 mg 10 days ago, and I'm most definitely worse with it. I'm more agitated, emotional, shaky, can't sleep even with sleeping meds. My paranoia has significantly increased. I don't recommend this med at all."

• Lee...
• February 13, 2017

"Been on Vraylar 3 weeks, and within the first 2-3 days noticed a HUGE difference in my energy level, and actually got out of the fetal position I usually lay in almost all day. Although, there are only so many things I can actually do around my house and living alone, so a lot of built-up energy that finds me pacing and wanting to call and talk to every person I know, which doesn't work great, feeling like a bother to everyone. The depression went away within a few days of starting this med, but has since felt like it is returning. I am currently taking 3 mg and have been waiting 5 days for my insurance to actually 'approve' that they will pay for it, in order for me to continue taking it at a 4.5 mg dose. Also, a HUGE increase in appetite!"

• Lil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2019

"I have bipolar, mixed features, and this drug did wonders for my mania and depression, however, after a huge 30-pound weight gain, I am choosing to discontinue this drug. I have been off of it for several weeks now and have had a nightmare of a time getting the weight off. Even though I'm not as hungry or eating nearly as much as I was on Vraylar."

• Nut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2017

"I have been on Vraylar 3 mg for one week now. I am an ultra-rapid cycling BP1 with severe OCD and other issues. I rejected Depakote due to my epileptic sister's weight gain, so my doc decided to try me on Vraylar. I was supposed to have 1.5 mg for one week before stepping up to 3 mg. Unfortunately, I was in a bad place when I was there and left the samples behind. After my pharmacy called to have my Dr. call the insurance company to verify it was medically necessary (oh boy, I am a nutter butter), it was then ordered (only person in town on it? Oh goody.) and I took the first dose at bedtime. Six hours later, I felt like I had the worst tequila hangover ever. Fast forward one week and I am actually trying out the 'feeling normal' thing I heard of."

• Sta...
• November 12, 2022

"I had a bad experience with this medication. It’s very hard to explain. I would get the feeling like I was in a place, but I wasn’t aware that I was there. Like it felt like I was in left field. The doctor increased my dosage, but that only made it worse. I’m sure it works for others, but it definitely didn’t for me."

• Cos...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 15, 2021

"I will never be the same after this. 3 years gone and almost lost everything. Started 2018/2020, I pushed my family away. I was empty of all emotions. Couldn't stand the TV. It was the worst experience I've ever been through."

• ARe...
• October 5, 2018

"So, I was on two other antipsychotics before this one. This one is the best out of the three, but I still have issues with side effects. The most annoying side effect is akathisia (a movement disorder). I always have to be moving. It's very uncomfortable. Another side effect is trouble sleeping. No matter what time of day I take it, I have trouble sleeping. My emotions are dulled, but at least I'm not having manic or depressive episodes, so I guess it's worth it. I have a lot of trouble with concentration and memory, but my doctor says that's not med-related (I think it is though because I wasn't having those issues before.) Anyway, the medicine does what it is supposed to. It suppresses my hallucinations to some extent, and I don't have manic or depressive episodes anymore. But honestly, I'm not sure if the side effects are worth it. I've been on it for about 5 months, and the side effects have not lessened or gone away like the doctor claimed they would."

• zac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2016

"This med is a wonder drug, it has kept my highs normal and my lows a lot better. I am not suicidal anymore, I am nowhere near as depressed as I was. My moods have been the same, a couple of mood swings, but I am only on 3 mg, so I still have some room to go up. It's the best medicine out there, I have been on a lot of them."

• Nov...
• January 28, 2017

"This medication worked for me for about 3 weeks. I started on 1.5 mg, then my doctor increased it to 3 mg. After the increase, I had an upset stomach, my chest felt very heavy, and it was difficult for me to swallow and speak without gasping for air. My doctor wants me to go back down to 1.5 mg, I told my doctor I am taking myself off. Anything that bothers my breathing I can't tolerate."

• dru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2021

"I wish I could say good things about Vraylar, but it was just not the medication for me. A few days in on 1.5 mg, and I felt restless to no end (akathisia). This feeling was unfortunately familiar to me, and I knew to ask to cease the medication. Not only that, but I had to wait 5+ days for the feeling to end after because of the long half-life. It was not meant to be..."

• Pia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2019

"I’ve been on Vraylar for about a month for bipolar. It works wonders, but it makes me excessively drowsy at 1.5 mg. I take the med at night and still feel drowsy the next day. Needless to say, I have to stop taking it."

• bip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2017

"25-year-old female with type II bipolar, coupled with ADHD, social anxiety, and hypothyroidism. I was on Vraylar for a month last year, and my experience was so bad that I switched psychiatrists. I saw no improvements to my mood swings (primarily depressive) and gained 17 pounds in the span of that month. If you have a slow metabolism or thyroid condition, I highly recommend you stay away from this medication."