Cariprazine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2021

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "The worst medication I've ever been on. It threw me into a 24/7 anxiety attack. I couldn't sleep, I didn't want to stand, sit, walk, or do anything except pace around the room. I also couldn't breathe! It has this 'energizing' factor to it, I thought it would help my depression, but it seriously messed me up for 2 weeks."

• Lol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2019

Cariprazine for Schizophrenia "The medication did take away the hallucinations, but I have become anxious. I get leg cramps, weight gain, severe neck and headaches, fatigue that are so bad. I’ve been on it for 17 days. I’m definitely getting off Vraylar."

• sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 16, 2016

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "So I have been on almost every antipsychotic out there. So now my pdoc put me on Vraylar. I was going through a bad mixed episode, severe depression, not leaving the house, racing thoughts, etc. The Vraylar has helped with all of that. My pdoc started me at 1.5 mg for 2 days, then upped it to 3 mg. The depression got better almost immediately, but now I'm having extreme anxiety-can't stop moving my leg. So he increased it yesterday to 4.5 mg, and so far no change in the anxiety, but it's only been 1 day. I'm just hoping the anxiety is due to the episode and not a side effect of this med. Although now I'm feeling a tad manic. Also, sleep has been an issue. It makes me sleepy, but I sleep restlessly and wake up at 7 am, but I'm wide awake and rested, so it's ok."

• OMK...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 2, 2023

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar 2 in 1996. So, I've been on lithium until my kidneys couldn't take it anymore, and on just about every other cocktail. I started on Vraylar 1.25, it made me very anxious. It wasn't until my doctor added Pristiq 25 mg that I felt relief from the anxiety. I, in general, don't have sadness with Vraylar, but my motivation is still in question. I've taken Vraylar for at least a year. So, compared to the other medications, I do feel better."

• See...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2018

Cariprazine "I suffer from schizoaffective disorder. Vraylar has stabilized my mood and cut the incidence of hallucinations by about 1/2. I've noticed two main side effects. First, fear. I am frequently terrified, particularly when riding in a car, but at other times as well. I had to cut my dose when I started suffering flashbacks. Now the fear isn't gone but is livable. Second, I've lost interest in social interactions to the point I even have trouble watching T.V. or reading because I can't identify with the characters. Feelings of empathy and compassion are muted. I've already tried and failed most of the antipsychotics due to side effect sensitivity. These side effects are mild by comparison, but still debilitating."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2021

Cariprazine for Schizophrenia "I have auditory hallucinations and changed from Zyprexa to Vraylar because I was so tired of the weight gain. I gained 20 lbs. I experienced restlessness, anxiety, upset stomach, insomnia, and so much more. I actually had chest pain and went to the emergency room, and they did a CAT scan and two EKGs and found out it was anxiety! I have never in my life had anxiety that was so bad that I had shortness of breath and chest pain. I had sharp pains in my chest. The anxiety was so bad for me that I had chest pains and thought I was having a heart attack. The shortness of breath was so terrible throughout the day that I could barely finish tasks or chores. I know everyone is different, and I wish this med could work for me because it did take away the auditory hallucinations. It made me so bloated, and I barely ate. I had leg and back pain. I didn’t want to move but felt so restless. I could hardly sleep. I was on the lowest dose. Good luck to everyone that tries it. I hope it works for you. But it's not for me!"

• mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2023

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I took Vraylar for a total of a month. I saw good effects at first and was in a very good mood. After about a week and a half, I started having cognitive issues while driving and even walking, and I started to get very confused. My anxiety level was at 100, heart pounding fast while driving. I had to stop taking it."

• izz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2016

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I usually don't read reviews on medication because I want to give the drug an unbiased try. After 5 weeks on Vraylar at the lowest dose, here are my adverse reactions: insomnia, panic, paranoia, fear, mania, easily startled, itching, rash, decreased vision, dry cough, GERD, upset stomach, increased urination, loose stool. The insomnia started immediately. I would sleep a couple of hours and then be wide awake. The drug wore me out because of all the resulting side effects. I had no side effects on Seroquel and, after discontinuing the Vraylar, I am relieved to be back on it."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 30, 2021

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I started Vraylar because I was dissociating frequently. It felt like I was watching my life happen, but I wasn’t in control, nor did I want to be. It has been a little over a month on Vraylar, and I’m still experiencing the same side effects I was having in the beginning of starting it. I asked to be taken off of it immediately. I’m not able to sleep at all. Horrible night sweats and rapid dreams. Yet I wake up early with anxiety. I feel very restless on this medication and no improvement mentally. It also caused me to have blurred vision, even with my glasses. This medicine just didn’t work for me. They switched me over to Latuda, so we will see."

• Coc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2021

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I see for some people this works. The first week I felt great. After 2 months, had to go off because of rapid heartbeat and increased anxiety. One night on 6, I got a horrible ringing headache, and my jaw and arms and legs were jerking like a fish out of water. Another night on the lower dose, my arm moved above my head in a slapping motion. Now off it, I'm disappointed it takes so long to get out of my system. The experience really scared me."

• BBP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2018

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I could only handle this med for a little over a week. I did notice a lessening of my anger due to bipolar, but the akathisia was out of this world. Under no circumstances was I able to sit still, which of course made my anxiety that much worse. Ended up going to the ER in the middle of one night because I officially felt like I was losing my mind. The doctor gave me a high dose of Zyprexa to calm me down and told me no more Vraylar. That was a week ago, and it STILL has not completely subsided."

• joj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2022

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed this medication to help stabilize my mood. I want to say I noticed a difference around day 5. I felt good and more calm on day 5. Two weeks into this medication, I started experiencing horrible side effects. I started feeling very anxious and jittery. I felt like I could not stay still. This was a horrible experience for me, and I am scared to try something else."

• joj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 15, 2022

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed this medication to help stabilize my mood. I want to say I noticed a difference around day 5. I felt good and more calm on day 5. Two weeks into this medication, I started experiencing horrible side effects. I started feeling very anxious and jittery. I felt like I could not stay still. This was a horrible experience for me, and I am scared to try something else."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2022

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "Taking Vraylar for the last month, extreme restlessness, feeling anxious, agitated, and high heart rate, manic episodes too. Not feeling good but hoping for side effects to reduce. Few positive thoughts and will continue the next few weeks. An engineering student but took a break as not able to concentrate. Was on olanzapine for 6 months but that made me groggy, sleepy, so stopped."

• Ame...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2022

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "Tried it for 3 months. Vraylar made me delusional and paranoid. I was on Seroquel for bipolar 1, and it stopped working well. So we decided to try Vraylar. The 3 mg dose was too high. I need more like a 0.5 mg every day, it would've worked then. It made me restless and severely afraid of explosions (from the microwave and pool chemicals). Made me afraid of water too (taking a shower, washing clothes). I really wanted this med to work. Was put on Buspar and propranolol to control the anxiety side effects. It didn't help. Citalopram made me less afraid of water and microwave explosions. I did lose weight with Vraylar. It just wasn't worth the side effects of hallucinations and severe paranoia."

• Djo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2023

Cariprazine "I like it, but I’m also taking bupropion 300 mg and Lexapro 20 mg. The Vraylar was prescribed to me by my new primary during our first visit after I complained of feeling depressed and anxious. However, I’ve been taking the two other meds for at least 20 years and am scheduled to meet with my new psychiatrist as soon as I have relocated. Overall, I feel good, but I also feel antsy, nauseous, and anxious. Maybe that will change after my first visit with the new doctor."

• Spe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2021

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I started Vraylar 1.5 mg after being diagnosed with Bipolar I at 48 years old. At first, it seemed nothing short of a miracle; however, the low dose didn’t help with my severe symptoms long, and I quickly experienced mania again. After increasing to 3 mg, I began experiencing severe anxiety, restlessness, and the feeling that my “skin was crawling”! I literally felt like coming out of my skin. There aren’t other words to describe it. Now, I’m back to 1.5 mg. Not much better, yet…I’m going to be asking for another drug when I see my doctor again."

• Sea...
• May 11, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been on Vraylar (1.5 dose) for only about 4 days, and I’ve never felt worse. I was rushed to the E.R. today because my anxiety has only gotten worse from this drug. I can’t stop moving my legs as I’m so worked up. I would feel my heart rate increase as well as my breathing being affected. I’ve been restless ever since starting this and refuse to take it starting tomorrow. It left me feeling so hopeless, I didn’t know what to do with myself. May work for some people, but certainly not for me."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2021

"This has been a terrible drug overall for me. I am taking it for depression and anxiety. I haven’t slept through the night in months. I’ve gained 20 pounds despite all efforts (and my ADHD meds) and have virtually come out of my skin every moment. The lack of sleep, weight gain, and terrible restlessness have been the hardest to deal with. I’m constantly hungry, anxious, and my shopping has been so impulsive. I’ve literally scared myself on this medicine. Never again!! My primary care doctor put me on this medicine to help with anxiety, but it caused more problems than I had before. I don’t think this should be prescribed unless by a psychiatrist and even then only as a last resort. This has been awful. I’ll take my anxiety, thanks. Now can I finally sleep, quit eating like crazy, have my foot muscles quit spasming, and actually get my libido back? Don’t take this unless nothing else works!!"

• Jan...
• September 17, 2016

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "Started to feel okay the first week, but once the doctor upped the dose to 3 mg, all heck broke loose. Massive anxiety, panic attacks, and loss of sleep. Felt like I was losing my mind."

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

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "On Vraylar and so far it’s okay, except for some pretty bad insomnia. My mood is more positive and I have some mild anxiety. Pleased so far, but hoping for more. Taking for bipolar depression."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2019

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "Worked great for a few months, then gave me really bad anxiety and racing thoughts. I want off this."

• jud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2022

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "It gave me extreme anxiety, where I couldn't even drive. It worked great at first, but slowly got worse. Plus, my hand shook all the time."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2019

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I will start tonight. I've been reading all comments, so I will give it a chance. They gave me 1.5. I’m bipolar, have anxiety, panic attacks, and paranoia, and Seroquel was not helping me at all."

• Dtm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "Horrible medication. Made me very restless, anxious, and difficult to function at work. I had to stop after 4 days at the lowest dose (1.5 mg)."