Cariprazine and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Sud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2016

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I have now been on Vraylar for just under 2 months. Once the side effects (pain!!! lack of sleep, blurred vision) wore off, it really became a miracle. Even other people notice a difference. I did have to increase my dose, which caused severe tiredness and restlessness for a few days, but all in all, it wasn't horrible. If you've been on stuff like Geodon, the tiredness isn't even comparable, but definitely tired. My biggest issue is the weight gain. I have BED on top of bipolar, and this has made my BED rear its ugly head bad. But, my doctor wants me to keep with the meds because he feels it's a side effect that will wear off. Overall, very happy with my improvement."

• coo...
• December 7, 2016

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "Terrible experience on Vraylar, upset stomach, insomnia, felt like the flu upon stopping, would not take again. Glad I stopped after 5 days, easier to detox. Had almost the same experience on Saphris, which caused hair loss as well and rough detoxing."

• Ros...
• July 16, 2017

Cariprazine for Schizophrenia "So this stuff works, but beware, if you have sleeping issues, I promise you it will only make it worse. And if you decide to stop taking these meds, please, I beg you, go to the doc so they can help lower your doses bit by bit safely."

• 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."

• lm2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2022

Cariprazine "Used it off-label for severe OCD after not responding to SSRIs. I took a GeneSight test and my doctor prescribed this. After day 4-5 of 1.5 mg, I noticed a significant decrease in my anxiety and intrusive thoughts and was able to not engage in as many compulsions. Overall, it worked really well, but I had to stop taking it after 2 weeks due to it causing extreme restlessness, constant boredom feeling, and insomnia. Going to try Latuda next."

• Dep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2018

Cariprazine "I'm on the fence with this medication. I was prescribed this for treatment-resistant depression. Today is day ten. While it seems to be helping the depression, the side effects are almost too much. Weight loss/appetite suppression has been nice, but the shakiness, heartburn, nausea, cramping, bloating, increased insomnia, and (probably the worst) blurry vision. I keep hoping that it will go away, but so far..."

• Hae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2018

Cariprazine for Schizophrenia "I've only been on Vraylar for two weeks, and it's returned me to better cognition and a positive mood. The only side effects I've experienced are a little trouble staying asleep for long and an insatiable appetite. I gained 8 lbs in a month (but I was in the hospital at the time and ate a lot of their food because it's better food than I get at home). I still have voices, but my delusional symptoms have been greatly attenuated."

• Cam...
• March 10, 2021

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "My doctor and I tried EVERY anti-depressant known to man and even looked into hippy dippy medicine, and nothing worked. She had a sample of Vraylar for three weeks, and it worked. Pros: No more Sad Sack. I have my life back. I have one episode a month now and nothing more. Cons: I have to take sleeping medication because it causes drug-induced insomnia. The restlessness was real until the dose increases stopped. Too little of a dose and you'll look like you're a spun-out meth addict combing the carpet for dog hair. I don't talk as much, don't get as nervous as much anymore, so the talking went with it. Doesn't seem too bad to me, but my husband had to adjust to the change."

• Dic...
• March 6, 2018

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "Vraylar is an effective mood stabilizer. Initially had nausea that subsided. Then I had insomnia and occasionally mild akathisia. I recently added trazodone for insomnia and anxiety, and it seems to be a great combination. Dx: bipolar 2 and GAD. Good luck on your search!"

• Amy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2021

Cariprazine for Schizophrenia "I have been taking Vraylar for over six months now. My anxiety levels went way down. Also, I definitely have had less paranoia and overthinking problems. Vraylar has helped with my thought processes. However, I have had trouble staying asleep on it. I am able to fall asleep but cannot stay asleep past about 2 hours at a time. My sleep has been very interrupted on Vraylar. In addition, I have gained over 30 pounds on this medicine. I have very recently decided to go off of Vraylar because of the sleep problems and weight gain. I wish I hadn't experienced these side effects because it has helped me think more clearly and be able to function without overanalyzing everything."

• Amy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2021

Cariprazine for Schizophrenia "I have been taking Vraylar for over six months now. My anxiety levels went way down. Also, I definitely have had less paranoia and overthinking problems. Vraylar has helped with my thought processes. However, I have had trouble staying asleep on it. I am able to fall asleep but cannot stay asleep past about 2 hours at a time. My sleep has been very interrupted on Vraylar. In addition, I have gained over 30 pounds on this medicine. I have very recently decided to go off of Vraylar because of the sleep problems and weight gain. I wish I hadn't experienced these side effects because it has helped me think more clearly and be able to function without overanalyzing everything."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2018

Cariprazine for Schizophrenia "I feel like my old self! I am doing creative things like beadwork and enjoy learning again, like studying Spanish. Getting things done around the house. I have been stable on Geodon for 16 years, but was having dyskinesia. My only problem with Vraylar is the horrible insomnia. I am wondering if it will get better. A bit of nausea, but need to eat well is all. Overall, I am grateful for it."

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2021

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "Stick with it and push through the initial side effects! (*Except if you develop tardive dyskinesia). At first, I almost quit because the insomnia and restlessness were significant for the first few weeks, but eventually my body acclimated. It has stabilized both my depression and mania without making me emotionally or cognitively dulled. This drug has given me my life back, and now I'm functional and achieving my goals. The only lasting side effects are that I get easily bored with TV and books now and have noticed a slight decrease in libido. However, I choose to live with those if it means I can regulate my emotions."

• Rol...
• November 6, 2019

Cariprazine "Initially, after a few days of Vraylar 1.5 mg, I started to feel more like myself. However, anxiety started to return, and now I've had awful restless leg symptoms and difficulty sleeping without medication. I wish I knew for sure Vraylar was the cause because I would then just stop the medication and try something else since I'm not bipolar or schizophrenic."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2022

"Weeks of insomnia, energy, leading to revision of anxiety and depression. Also, cognition and memory have improved substantially. Took 6 weeks to complete the adjustment. The insomnia totally resolved, and I sleep great. The need to move slowly got better but never fully resolved. I have added on Strattera, and it is reducing my fidgeting and restlessness. Give it time, there seems to be 3 different stages your brain must go through. Worth it!"

• SWa...
• February 16, 2021

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I have taken Vraylar for a year. It has been great for me and has adjusted my mood so that I am not crying all the time. I don't have manic episodes anymore. I went through the agitation/insomnia days 1-14. Gained and cannot lose the 40 lbs. New doc who tells me I can take something else that will replace Vraylar and I can always go back on it if I need to, but I am ready to get this weight off, so I'm going to take the chance. The average weight gain was 2.2 lbs for a 6-week course, and I, of course, am above average, but even going to the gym has done absolutely nothing to get the weight off. But this medication has worked wonders for me and is the first bipolar medication I have ever taken, so I have to recommend it highly if you don't mind gaining a few - or several - extra pounds. Good luck to everyone! We are not alone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Mid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2018

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I started taking Vraylar on July 17. I suffer from major depression, OCD, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. I felt emotionally regulated. However, I gained weight and experienced insomnia, which was already an issue for most of my life. I stopped the drug twice. My mood deteriorated and became more unregulated. I've been back on for 4 weeks. My mood has stabilized. The weight gain has been an atrocious side effect for me. I'm very petite, and gaining 12 lbs has been very physically uncomfortable. I eat well and am always on the move. I've also suffered from chronic diarrhea; however, I have IBS. I do feel the constant diarrhea that is now occurring is related to Vraylar."

• And...
• February 26, 2021

For Schizophrenia "This is the second day I'm taking cariprazine, and I think I'm lucky that here in Italy I have all free medications, because the price of a pack of 30 pills (1.5 mg) is 67 euros. I couldn't afford this. I am taking this drug for my dissociative identity disorder (my alters have another mental illness like schizotypal, paranoid, narcissistic, borderline, major depression, and schizophrenia. All of them are diagnosed). I was passing by all the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, like emotional flattening. With this drug, I am developing the need to be around people. Yesterday, I was so confused and sleepy, but at the moment, I feel kinda well. I don't have insomnia, and I slept very well without waking up for the first time. I also have sexsomnia, but I don't have enough information about the effects on this right now. I feel more active, and I think this is good because I used to stay in bed all day. By the way, my hallucinations don't seem to go away."

• Gho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2020

For Schizophrenia "After I tried out this 'new' medicine, cariprazine, I don't feel well at all. 1.5 mg normal side effects, but on 3 mg, horrible restless legs and problems with sleep at night, still after 3 weeks. Normally, I slept good after a small dose of Mirtazapine, with this substance, impossible. Down to 1.5 mg, better, but side effects still made and bad compliance. Bad experience with other new neuroleptics. Without, I feel better to start a day at all."

• 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!!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2025

Cariprazine for Major Depressive Disorder "Very hesitant to take an antipsychotic medication for depression, out of worry about the potential side effects. Vraylar improved my depression quickly, and I now feel more emotionally stable than I have in 35 years trying every type of antidepressant medication (e.g., SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics, and MAO inhibitors). Vraylar stopped my excessive tearfulness and rumination within 2 weeks, with some improvement in my anxiety. The side effects experienced were: insomnia - I wake up after 3-4 hours of sleep, and am rarely able to return to bed. My prescriber added a sleep medication, but that has only slightly improved that issue. Other side effects experienced are: increased appetite, resulting in a 10-pound weight gain, dry mouth, and constipation. As long as I don't gain any more weight, I’ll tolerate and continue on Vraylar due to the dramatic improvement in my mood, noticed by all. This medication has truly changed my life as the dark cloud of depression has been finally lifted."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2023

Cariprazine for Major Depressive Disorder "Female, 65 years old, 3 mg past 7 weeks causing insomnia, looser stools, loss of appetite. No significant improvement with depression."

• Cra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2018

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "A miracle drug for my depression, but I did have to go through 2 to 3 weeks of restlessness and insomnia for me when I first started taking it."