Vraylar for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)
Reviews for Vraylar
- mic...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 29, 2023
"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
"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
- Vraylar vs Abilify - How do they compare?
- What are 6 Vraylar side effects you need to be aware of?
- Should you take Vraylar in the morning or at night?
- How long does it take for Vraylar (cariprazine) to work?
- hai...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 13, 2025
"I've tried a number of medicines for depression and anxiety over the past few months. I started Vraylar for depression while also taking Trintellix, but I stopped the Trintellix because the combination caused severe nausea, and I didn’t notice meaningful benefits from Trintellix. I stayed on Vraylar at the lowest dose, hoping it would improve mood and motivation. At first, it seemed to help a bit by giving me a slight boost in get-up-and-go energy and helped me sleep through the night some, but after a few weeks, the irritability became unbearable. I tried to push through these side effects for about three months, but the irritability worsened, and I had to take Zofran every day just to manage the nausea. Vraylar was incredibly overstimulating, activating my nervous system rather than stabilizing my mood, and despite the small benefits, I ultimately could not get past the overwhelming irritability."
- Jad...
- Taken for 1 to 2 years
- August 6, 2025
"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."
- Joh...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- December 1, 2024
"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
"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."
More FAQ
- How does Vraylar compare with Seroquel?
- Do Vraylar (cariprazine) side effects go away?
- Does Vraylar (cariprazine) cause weight gain?
- Does caffeine affect Vraylar (cariprazine)?
- bgd...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- June 2, 2023
"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."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- March 13, 2025
"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!"
- Cry...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 1, 2023
"After adding Vraylar to the Effexor I was taking, I showed marked improvement in my depression and anxiety."
- Mmm...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 20, 2023
"Medicine sucks. It makes me feel like I am there but not there."
- All...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- May 28, 2023
"Female, 65 years old, 3 mg past 7 weeks causing insomnia, looser stools, loss of appetite. No significant improvement with depression."
- fgr...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- March 4, 2025
"Incredible drug for managing anxiety and depression. It also helps with mental compulsions related to OCD. I take it along with Prozac 40 mg."
- Ano...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 9, 2025
"Only been on this new drug for 2 weeks. I definitely have dizziness going on and lightheadedness."
- Not...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 3, 2024
"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
"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
"Immediately helped depression. Side effects have been extreme tiredness and indigestion."
- Dia...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- February 13, 2025
"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
"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."
- LAK...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 5, 2023
"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."
- kay...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 26, 2024
"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."
- MDD...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- September 13, 2024
"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."
- Kel...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 11, 2024
"Vraylar has been making me shaky and very lazy feeling, like I never want to move once I've sat down. It hurts my stomach."
- dia...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- November 20, 2024
"The improvement in my depression symptoms has been remarkable, but I am experiencing nighttime lower leg and foot muscle cramps."
- rho...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- March 1, 2025
"It helps with my major depressive disorder. I don't remember taking it before. This is my first time taking it. My doctor put me on it."
See also:
Learn more about Major Depressive Disorder
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"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."