Cariprazine for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)
Brand names: Vraylar
Reviews for Cariprazine
- mic...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 29, 2023
Cariprazine "This is the only medication (after trying 6 others) I have ever been assertive with my doc to get off of before my follow-up. After two weeks of not working and mild side effects, my doc bumped me from 1.5 mg to 3 mg. After a week of that increase, I was like, 'No way, get me off of this.' Very weak, tired, where it felt like I had worked 8 hours after only 1-2. Very unusual thoughts and feelings brought on the worst of anxiety. Paranoia. So happy I didn't have to wean off and just stopped taking. An awful trial. Weird thing is this one was a 'green light' on my GeneSight report. I am not convinced I am bipolar, but my doc was. My point being, if you have only depression, don't try this unless you really suspect you could be bipolar."
- puj...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 21, 2023
Cariprazine "This is literally the WORST antidepressant I have ever been prescribed. I've been on it for less than 48 hrs, though I have been experiencing pretty bad side effects. Side effects: dry mouth, jittery/can't sit still, drowsy all day, scratchy throat, almost feel like I'm high, and I just feel weird overall. I am also on Lamictal, which I've been on for 12 years, as well as Prozac."
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take for Vraylar (cariprazine) to work?
- Do Vraylar (cariprazine) side effects go away?
- Does Vraylar (cariprazine) cause weight gain?
- Does caffeine affect Vraylar (cariprazine)?
- Joh...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 1, 2024
Cariprazine "I have ADHD, which triggers anger issues. I started taking another drug that affected my ability to have sex, so my doctor switched me to Vraylar. I have been taking this for 3 weeks and have noticed a pleasant change in my mood and my ability to satisfy my partner. So far, the only side effects I have noticed are stumbling with speech while talking sometimes. I also have extreme heartburn, but I am not sure if it's Vraylar or the Semaglutide that I am taking causing it. I have an appointment with my doctor to discuss the possible causes of the heartburn. Outside of those 2 issues, I am well pleased with how Vraylar is working for me."
- Kri...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- April 25, 2025
Cariprazine "I'm having second thoughts about continuing to take it even though I feel like it is helping with my depressive symptoms. I normally don't pay too much attention to possible side effects listed for medications because I don't want to overreact. Today, though, I read through them because I'm having some weird stuff going on medically, including problems with breathing, weight gain, cough, constant hoarse voice, muscle spasms almost daily, and sometimes multiple at once."
- sav...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 24, 2024
"I have suffered from treatment-resistant depression my whole life. I was on Lamictal and Exxira and Vraylar for years, and my depression was in remission for 3 years until my C-PTSD was severely triggered on holiday in October 2024, where I almost literally felt a switch go off in my brain the moment the trauma happened (I had my cool drink spiked and was SA'd in a public pool, nothing severe like I experienced in childhood, it's how the staff treated me). Anyway, I went into the worst depression of my life. I tried 11 ketamine infusions, and it made me worse. It feels like the past year has been one month. I started getting paranoid thoughts and stopped eating and drinking and lost so much weight. I have Addison's disease and a rare immunodeficiency disorder, so that was not good. I was dying. I could feel it. Severe pain, chronic infections. My psychiatrist of 7 years suddenly immigrated. He referred me to an absolute angel that put me on Reagil 1.5 mg. It's been 5 weeks, and I'm changed!!!"
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- April 16, 2023
"I've been on this medication for three weeks now (taking 1.5 mg). For the first two weeks and a half, I felt it wasn't helping at all. I even have to take Alprazolam every night to be able to sleep, if I did not, I could only sleep for two hours. I started to feel better a few days ago (people close to me told me they see I'm in a better mood), but now I'm having trouble sleeping again. I wake up in the middle of the night and find it hard to get back to sleep. I'm going to see if I continue taking this, I don't see a huge change and don't like the sleeping issues."
More FAQ
- Jad...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- August 6, 2025
Cariprazine "I spent two decades searching for this! I tried every first-line depression treatment out there - Zoloft, Effexor, Cymbalta, and more, but none of it worked! I tried multiple forms of therapy, CBT, ACT, IFS, and even ketamine, but I still felt as hopeless as ever. I did genetic testing to find out what meds my body might actually respond to, and the list was quite short. Vraylar was one of the options, so I decided to give it a try solo, not as an adjunct to anything (though I do take buspirone for anxiety). The fog has lifted! I no longer want to die every day! I don't know how, but Vraylar cured my depression. I'd say it took a week or two to start feeling the effects. Full disclosure, I did experience intense restlessness when I first started taking it - it was hard to sit still and read a book or watch TV - but that feeling has waned significantly. Still better than severe depression! I've actually found that taking the lowest dose, 1.5 mg, every OTHER day is plenty for me."
- Kat...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- December 18, 2024
"It calms my anxiety better than Xanax or other drugs in this class. Be sure to wait 4-5 hours before taking opioids for pain. This medicine is great for anxiety and works longer than any other drug in this class. In my experience, and I have tried a variety in this class. Just be careful and use common sense. Hope it works well for you too! God bless."
- Rea...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 2, 2025
"I've been on 1.5 mg/day for about 3 months now. I certainly feel better, no more suicidal thoughts, less cyclical thoughts, more serene and less deep-dark depressive (I suffer from chronic MDD). I do, however, have Parkinson's-type tremors (embarrassing!!) and out-of-control sweating at the smallest episode of anxiety or just worry. Libido and erections also nil. My doctor just reduced the dosage by half, waiting to see if there are improvements in side effects. All in all, still thankful for improvements in the debilitating effects of 3rd year into MDD episode. For the record, male 64 years old here, no other outlying medical condition. I was put on Reagila after unsuccessful treatments with Lexapro, Rexulti and aripiprazole."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- March 13, 2025
Cariprazine "I have been taking Vraylar for about 8 weeks. It was wonderful. I immediately could see improvement. But as fast as it started, it stopped working!"
- bgd...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- June 2, 2023
Cariprazine "The side effects are terrible. I found it hard to even move, my legs felt rubbery and weak. It was hard to do anything, really. Things got better when I quit taking it."
- Mmm...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 20, 2023
Cariprazine "Medicine sucks. It makes me feel like I am there but not there."
- Cry...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 1, 2023
Cariprazine "After adding Vraylar to the Effexor I was taking, I showed marked improvement in my depression and anxiety."
- All...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 28, 2023
Cariprazine "Female, 65 years old, 3 mg past 7 weeks causing insomnia, looser stools, loss of appetite. No significant improvement with depression."
- Not...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 3, 2024
Cariprazine "Took this for around 6 mos, at 1.5 mg, for MDD. It was effective on symptoms, but I was taken off due to uncontrollable pacing. If this happens to you, talk to your doc about switching meds."
- Mar...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 15, 2024
Cariprazine "Has helped. 1.5. First used every other day. Was too much, so now every two days. Thirsty."
- RKR...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 10, 2025
Cariprazine "Immediately helped depression. Side effects have been extreme tiredness and indigestion."
- fgr...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- March 4, 2025
Cariprazine "Incredible drug for managing anxiety and depression. It also helps with mental compulsions related to OCD. I take it along with Prozac 40 mg."
- Dia...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 13, 2025
Cariprazine "Not good. It appears to have caused multiple side effects, including stiffness and weakness of my legs, for which I made an ER visit. It did help my depression, though."
- tds...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- November 9, 2024
Cariprazine "Good med. Helped relieve my depression, and I felt good on it, but it caused weight gain/increased appetite. That was the main drawback. 1.5 mg to 3 mg. Added to other depression meds."
- Ano...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 9, 2025
Cariprazine "Only been on this new drug for 2 weeks. I definitely have dizziness going on and lightheadedness."
- kay...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 26, 2024
Cariprazine "Reduces anxiety and racing thoughts. Able to focus on tasks while having the energy and motivation to complete them. Only downside is the occasional hiccup and restlessness since I have energy now."
- LAK...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 5, 2023
Cariprazine "Just started 3 days ago. Anxious about taking due to side effects. Personally having a sedated feeling a few hours after taking, hoping this will get better with time."
- MDD...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 13, 2024
Cariprazine "Taking this for MDD with psychosis. Got rid of my psychotic symptoms due to trauma after a week. I’ll be on this a long time. Prescribed 1.5 mg. It’s a very good med."
See also:
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Cariprazine "Been on Vraylar for 3 years. Had bad side effects from the shot. Found Vraylar in studies overseas. Talked to my doctor. We watched it come and be given FDA approval, but I was on it way beforehand. I just can't say enough about feeling like a person again, not a drugged person. On the 6-month injection, dreads overwhelmed myself knowing I had that coming up. Now happy. Very much energy fills my day with so many great things and friends, family. Who can forget my best friend, K9? Thanks so much."