Cariprazine and Restlessness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Moo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2016

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I began at 1.5, then titrated to 3 mg dosage. At first, I loved the medicine, as it completely eliminated my depressive symptoms and helped regulate my sleep. However, after being on the medicine for two weeks, I developed akathisia and was told to stop. However, for those who do not experience TDS or EPS from the medicine, I imagine this will be a solid option to consider. Just be warned-the most common side effect listed is 'restlessness,' which hit me hard and fast."

• Moo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2016

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I began at 1.5, then titrated to 3 mg dosage. At first, I loved the medicine, as it completely eliminated my depressive symptoms and helped regulate my sleep. However, after being on the medicine for two weeks, I developed akathisia and was told to stop. However, for those who do not experience TDS or EPS from the medicine, I imagine this will be a solid option to consider. Just be warned-the most common side effect listed is 'restlessness,' which hit me hard and fast."

• Eli...
• February 21, 2018

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed this over a year ago, before I was diagnosed with bipolar depression. I was barely able to take this drug for 5 days, I was sleeping a lot and not eating. I was awake around 5-7 hours a day. The time that I was awake, I had trouble sitting and focusing on something. I was restless and felt like I needed to get up and walk. I missed work because of sleep, but when I did go, I got comments like “you look like a zombie” and “are you okay?” I ended up having to quit. Once off the medicine, the symptoms like sleeping and focus never resolved, along with being stuck in depression for over a year that weirdly started when I was taking the medicine. Now, it could totally be my depression that kicked in and took over, but all my problems just quickly followed the first time I took it and I’ve never been in depression nowhere near this long. I’m not saying it couldn’t help people tremendously, but this was my experience, so take with caution."

• Nat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2021

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking Vraylar for about 2 years. I've been told that I have bipolar depression. I don't really have many manic mood swings (just a lot of horrible depression). It's definitely helped me! It didn't make me lose my sex drive, and it also did not make me gain weight (like a lot of the other meds I've tried). It's controlled my pessimistic ways. Recently, I've been doing some research on Vraylar, and I have encountered some other side effects like akathisia, elevated liver enzymes, and lack of concentration (which I was prescribed Adderall, and it's helped me with 'brain fog,' which doesn't really let you concentrate on regular day-to-day things). Overall, it has helped me out tremendously with the wicked depression, and that's what matters the most to me. Uncontrollable depression is the worst feeling, and I feel like I'm finally under control."

• Rev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2019

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "Was given a diagnosis of bipolar after years of antidepressants that didn't work. I was on Lithium for over a year but gained a ton of weight and have horrible acne. Have tried Zyprexa and Abilify, and nothing seems to work as well as the Vraylar does, with some restlessness at 3 mg. I take 2 mg Klonopin, and they help with the restlessness a lot."

• Kri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2017

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with Bipolar II three and a half years ago. I have been on so many medications with not much luck. Lithium works fairly well to manage my mania. My deep depression has not been able to be managed. I have been on Vraylar for over 3 weeks and still feel unmotivated, depressed, and don’t know how to fill my whole day. I had nausea and restlessness. I take a medicine for the restlessness that seems to be working. I am just praying that this drug needs to just build up in my body. I need relief really soon. Going through life without happiness is so very, very bleak. I am using the coupon and paying $15.00. I take 1.5 mg in the morning. This is my second time trying Vraylar and staying at the lower dose. 3 mg caused my legs to give out."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 27, 2016

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Vraylar for almost two weeks now, and I don't seem to notice a difference. I do have hopes, as my doctor thinks I need to stick with it, but I've been having severe mixed episodes since right before I started taking it (I'm not blaming this on the medicine, but I want something to work quickly, and it's not for me). I have been feeling restless but extremely tired. Like I'll go out to do a bunch of errands because I can't sit still, but then drive right back home once I'm out because I'm so exhausted. I went from taking it at night to the day, to back at night because it was making me tired. Also, severe blurred vision, which I heard will go away. Very expensive."

• Aly...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2021

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I’m bipolar 2 with really bad anxiety, and I’ve been on Vraylar 1.5 mg for about 5 days. Usually, I’m very sensitive to meds and have had allergic reactions to most, but I have had NO side effects from this medication yet, which is a miracle for me! I have noticed some restlessness, but I’ve gotten a lot of housework done in these last few days that I’ve put off for months due to my depression, so that’s good. I’ve also noticed my depression has gotten a little better. I might have to be put on something for my anxiety, but so far, no complaints about the Vraylar."

• COR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2019

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar II and took this to treat mixed features during hypomanic episodes. At 1.5 mg, it helped to reduce but not eliminate the hypomania and mixed features. At 3 mg, it gave me horrible akathisia. Now I'm trying to get it refilled, but the coupon my doctor gave me isn't working with the pharmacy (4 trips and over an hour wasted). I've been 2 days without the medication, and I'm experiencing intense anxiety due to withdrawals. I am going to refuse to continue taking this medication and demand something else. I'd rather be hypomanic than down $240."

• Bip...
• June 19, 2018

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I know everyone has different brain chemistry, so what works for some may not for others. Vraylar was horrible for me. I had terrible brain fog, akathisia, and sadness for the month that I took it. My performance at work was going downhill, and I was constantly ready to snap at someone. Finally off this stuff and back to my Seroquel XR. Doc added some Rexulti to help the Seroquel. It’s been 3 days since I’ve stopped Vraylar, and I feel much more like my old self already. Thank goodness my doc gave me free samples for the Vraylar, so I never had to pay for it."

• Ken...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2019

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "HORRIBLE. My psychiatrist put me onto this a few weeks ago. It made me feel loopy and drowsy, so taking it at night wasn’t a problem. However, as soon as I would take it, I would immediately fall asleep. I would then wake up at the slightest sound and not be able to go back to bed. I also had the side effect of akathisia that would keep me up. It was to the point I had to pace around to keep myself at bay. Sitting down was uncomfortable, standing up was uncomfortable as well. I also did not see much of a difference in my mood. I just got switched to Latuda due to these issues... hopefully it works."

• 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• Loa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2018

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I started at 1.5 mg after coming off of 50 mg of Zoloft. Since starting Vraylar, I've felt wonderful. I was like a roller coaster with ups and downs. I still have ups and downs, but they're less severe and less common. I have been a bit restless, and I've started sleep talking, which may or may not be related. I feel amazing now."

• RED...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2019

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I just started my 3rd week on 3 mg. I really don't feel any different, to be honest. I have been on Lamictal for a couple of years, and it has been a life-changer for me, but I started feeling so sensitive, having a lot of crying episodes, which is not like me at all. I have been very restless, but I'm not sure that's from this medication. I follow up with my doctor next week to see how I'm doing. If I can't tell a difference by then, I will probably discontinue."

• 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."

• 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."

• Mik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 6, 2018

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Vraylar for a few months at different doses, trying to balance side effects and benefits of the drug. I often feel restless—I can't stop moving my legs—but extremely drowsy, an odd combination. Beyond that, my bipolar disorder is managed fairly well with fewer episodes of depression."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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!"

• Dav...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 20, 2021

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "Unfortunately, Vraylar was not beneficial for me. I have a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder. In addition, I suffer from panic disorder. My doctor prescribed Vraylar to control both the manic and depressive symptoms of my bipolar. I tend to be more depressive than manic, so my main goal was to improve the constant and debilitating fatigue, malaise, and general poor mental and physical hygiene that accompanies my depressive episodes. I took Vraylar for six months and noticed no improvement in either my depression or mania. I just stopped the Vraylar, and we switched to Latuda. Latuda is geared more for treating bipolar depression. I'm putting my faith in the Latuda and hoping it works more effectively than Vraylar. I'm not saying that Vraylar isn't a good medication. I had no side effects from it; no tardive dyskinesia, akathisia, or other symptoms. Atypical antipsychotics tend to work faster than SSRIs, so you can usually tell in a couple of weeks if you are improving."

• Vic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2018

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed Vraylar for treatment-resistant depression. I developed extreme akathisia, and it was so miserable. I had to leave work, it was so bad. Maybe if I was able to begin with a lower dose, I would have tolerated the medicine better. However, it is currently only available in capsule form, so I was not able to break it in half at its lowest dose, 1.5 mg."

• Bri...
• December 12, 2019

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I am already so thankful to get off my last medication. I have been extremely restless at night, but I am still able to wake up every day at 5 am and work a laborious 10-hour shift. I appreciate this after having to endure three months of lithium while working as an automotive technician. I am still with a clear head, and I haven't noticed any significant anxiety problems such as my last medication. Although it will take weeks, such as with lithium, to see what will actually take place, my digestive problems have diminished (huge cry out!!). I do have problems with appetite but not to a point where it has affected me while actually sitting down with food. I tend to enjoy that part no matter, and I've taken medication that completely shuts off your enjoyment of food. Overall, I am okay with seeing if this will improve along the way down and test out the symptoms that will occur."