Cariprazine and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

• fav...
• December 5, 2017

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking it for 2-3 months. I feel like myself again. I feel fantastic, friends and family notice. I have gained some weight, about 10-12 pounds. I'm exercising, though. Good thing I was small."

• 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."

• Dal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 3, 2021

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been on Vraylar for about 6 weeks, and I’ve definitely noticed a difference. I started with 1.5 mg, then increased to 3 mg about two weeks ago. Not really any side effects that I’ve noticed-maybe slight weight gain, unfortunately. I’ve been on medications for Bipolar II that have made me feel like I was absolutely losing my mind, so Vraylar is a nice change. I take Vraylar along with 100 mg of Seroquel. I’d recommend this medication for Bipolar II."

• 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."

• GMo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 11, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I had a meeting with my doctor yesterday after 3 months. Same meds to continue except Fludac 20 mg to be taken now on alternate days instead of taking it daily. So currently I am taking 3 mg Cariprazine daily. In addition to this, I am taking Fludac 20mg, Licab 300mg twice daily, Quetiapine 7.5 mg once daily, and Mirtaz 50mg once daily. No more depression, suicidal thoughts, mania, manic episodes, or anxiety. I am lucky as Cariprazine is working well for me. I have gained a lot of weight, which is okay. Next meeting in September 2024."

• Bas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 28, 2021

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "2nd time on Vraylar. 1st time it saved my life. Doc took me off it despite it working wonderfully, due to weight gain. I have been on everything but nothing seems to work. I also have severe anxiety and insomnia. I take 10 mg of Valium 3 x day for the anxiety, but when my doc took me off the Vraylar, it made my anxiety unbearable at times. So I would 'smoke' to help. Now back on Vraylar, back up to 6 mg, no real side effects. The anxiety is gone, but I find I only need about 4 hours of sleep a night, even though I'd love a full 8. I'm definitely more 'activated' too, but it beats the depression I sunk into when taken off the Vraylar."

• GMo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 17, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "This is my second post. I am on the 7th month. So far, cariprazine is working fine. No depression, mania, suicidal thoughts, or anxiety. But GI problems. Not constipation, but incomplete evacuation, so I have to take laxatives. My doc told me to continue this med, 3 mg daily. I do hope it helps others. Follow-up visit with my psych next month. Other issue is weight gain, but I don't mind it."

• GMo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar disorder. My doc tried various drugs but still was edgy, panicky, and depressed. Then he put me on cariprazine. This drug has taken off my edginess, panic attacks, and depression. I have a lot more energy, no anxiety. Started with 1.5 mg and now am on 3 mg. The downside is this drug is affecting my bowels, and I have developed irritable bowel syndrome. I also gained a lot of weight. But all in all, a positive experience."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2022

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been on this medication for 4 months, it has helped with my depression. I experienced what can best be described as cognitive delays or brain fog, which allows me to deal with my emotions before exploding. This makes it easier to get along with the people around me. Unfortunately, it makes it difficult for me to do my job. Additionally, I also noticed an increase in my appetite, which has resulted in weight gain."

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication is wonderful for my Major Depressive Disorder. My Dr. prescribed it off-label to treat my depression because its cousin, Rexulti, also worked great for me but caused a 20 lb weight gain. So far, I haven't had weight gain, but it's too early to tell. It pretty much cured my depression (short-term at least). It feels like I can't get low, like there is a block stopping me from feeling sad. I have a ton of energy, I'm cleaning again, picking up new furniture, etc. I hope it continues to work so well. I started feeling the effects day one. PROTIP: take this at night because it causes crazy drowsiness for the first couple of hours."

• 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."

• Mis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 16, 2019

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I gained 67 pounds over the course of 10 months at 4.5 mg-just beware of weight gain."

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

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "It's a great med, but I have put on almost 15 pounds on it."

• tds...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 9, 2024

Cariprazine for Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Dep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2018

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "Awesome. No more racing thoughts. Mania has slowed down, and no weight gain. However, I have samples. Don't know how I am going to afford it."

• Tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2021

Cariprazine for Schizophrenia "I had very bad agitation, and this medicine did not do a thing for my psychosis, voices, racing thoughts, and things of that nature. Massive weight gain as well, risk everything for no reward."

• Kar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 3, 2024

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "Seem to be much better than Abilify as long as there is no weight gain."

• Bip...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 4, 2025

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "Not good, gained a lot of weight! Uncontrollable eating! Only taking 3 mg."

• cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2023

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "Vraylar did not help my bipolar symptoms at all and caused a massive weight gain."

• Inn...
• January 10, 2022

Cariprazine for Bipolar Disorder "I like this medicine, but the weight gain is not fun. Every winter I gain 28 pounds I lose in summertime. It's mostly water weight."