Abilify and Tremors: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 7, 2013

For Depression "I have suffered from major depression since I was a child, and my psychiatrist put me on Abilify 10mg after a suicide attempt. This medicine has helped me tremendously! I actually have energy and motivation now, and without Abilify, I don't know where I would be today. The only side effect I have noticed is some shaking but not too bad. I told my psychiatrist about it, and she put me on Cogentin 1mg, which helps a lot with the shaking! I would definitely recommend this medicine!"

• TJF...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 22, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "My first week I felt like a whole new person. I had an extreme amount of energy and wanted to get out in the world again. Week 2 - it all went downhill. I felt like I was trapped in a body that wasn’t my own. I couldn’t eat, I wasn’t thirsty, I lost weight, my legs would not sit still. Like to the point I wanted to cut them off. They constantly were twitching uncontrollably or aching. My doctor gave me a shot of Benadryl, then I had to take Benadryl every day for 2 weeks to get any sort of relief, even then, it was a 5/10 of uncomfortableness. My anxiety started to skyrocket where basically I felt like I was living a constant panic attack. I stopped cold turkey, and after a week I’m still having chest pain, and my legs aren’t back to being completely still, but now down to 2/10, so tolerable. I seriously will never, ever recommend this to anyone. Maybe it was just me, but I would never wish the way I felt on anyone. I never want to feel that way again."

• alb...
• January 26, 2010

For Depression "Over the years, I have taken a number of different drugs and combinations of drugs for depression. By far, the worst side effects I have ever experienced were associated with Abilify. The muscles in my legs became so stiff that walking anywhere was slow and painful. I felt nauseous all the time and several times experienced acid reflux. There was the constant feeling of needing to move and involuntary jerks of arms and legs. Sometimes, my legs would shake uncontrollably. It took a while for these side effects to subside after coming off the drug. It's really good to see that this drug has helped so many people, but it's not for me!"

• Dar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2021

For Depression "My husband is 76 years old and has suffered with depression for several years. He was prescribed Abilify a few years ago, 10 mg daily. A few months ago, he presented with Parkinson's-like symptoms (shuffling gait, stone facial expression, stooped, slow walk, and just an overall slowness with movement and speech, also intermittent dizziness). The psychiatrist stopped Abilify immediately 1 month ago. I have noticed some improvement. We have been told these symptoms may or may not go away. His liver and kidney function are normal. Tremors are also evident intermittently. Abilify administration needs careful monitoring by a trained professional. I just wanted this information to be available, it is not for everyone and can have severe, life-changing side effects. Be aware and educated on all meds you are prescribed."

• ass...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 13, 2018

For Depression "I absolutely hate Abilify. I cannot stay still, I feel like I have to be doing something constantly. Even when I am doing something, I feel the need to lay down all the time. I get super bad shakes, super sweaty all the time, and bad insomnia. I can't even eat anymore, this medication makes me feel like not myself. I'm glad it has worked well for other people, but this just isn't for me. Even when I'm off of it, I still feel the same. I'm not sure how long it takes to get out of your system."

• Bev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2024

For Depression "I was on Pristiq 25, Adderall 20, and Reluxti 0.5. I have depression, severe anxiety, and panic. My provider kept me in samples of Reluxti for 5 years, and then quit getting them, so I tried weaning off. I went to hell without even a glass of ice water. It was horrible torture. Severe panic and anxiety out of control. I was running out of samples to take 1 every 3 days. My provider finally started me on Abilify. I forgot to mention that Reluxti costs $1800.00 for one month, the Abilify is $17.00. In 2 days, I was better! Panic stopped, anxiety eased. The shakes, nausea, and vomiting stopped. I’m on Abilify 5 mg, and I’m doing good. A little upset stomach. It has helped me so much. I praise God every night."

• Kel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Abilify for over 6 years, and at first, it worked very well. Year 2, I started having face twitching, shakiness, and stuttering speech. In the 3rd year, I started with tardive dyskinesia. In 4-6 ish years, I had all the aforementioned and added falling at least 6 times a day. I was so shaky I could barely walk, plus my memory was shot. I couldn't remember my phone number or email address I had for 10 years. A new psych took me off, and within 2 months, almost all of the symptoms were gone. I think some of the shakiness and memory loss are permanent, but I have a new lease on life. Poison. Pure poison. I wish I could have those 6 years back."

• Amy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 18, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "So I've been on this drug for a few months. Still on it. I ended up in urgent care because my blood pressure bottomed out. I feel like I can't sit down and relax, anxious (more so than my anxiety itself). I even told my doc my symptoms, and she insisted that it was not the Abilify. The symptoms got way worse from then on. I felt (now I know) horrible driving, it was claustrophobia. I came home the other day from work trembling, which lasted three days. I can't believe the amount of side effects there are from Abilify. Oh, and they upped the dose, then gave me something to counteract the issues. Thank you to those who have posted, I would have just thought I was crazy. Hopefully, this post helps someone understand the side effects better. Please choose for yourself. There are positive reviews as well. Good luck on your decision."

• Gab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2019

For Depression "I was prescribed Abilify for depression/bipolar disorder, and after taking it for only 3 days, I had some of the worst side effects I have ever experienced on a medication. Muscle spasms, inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, complete loss of appetite, stomach pain, pain in joints and muscles, full body ache, extremely intense manic episodes, heart racing, anxiety, shaky hands, and feeling extremely foggy and unable to form proper sentences or think critically. This is the worst drug I've ever tried. If you have depression, just stick to SSRIs."

• Sue...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 3, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "Abilify keeps me stable. Period. Awesome med with side effects for me though. Went through 15 years and 12 hospitalizations trying different meds. Finally put on Abilify and have been mostly stable for 15 more. When I can't think well, my dosage increases. I have a cycle though, I get tremors that are severe on higher dosages then try another antipsychotic. I eventually go back to Abilify at a lower dose because it is the best for me by far. Even though it has side effects, the results are well worth it."

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2009

For Depression "My son is 16 and has ADHD and had been diagnosed as being depressed and having an eating disorder in the last 6 months. He takes Concerta for the ADHD. He started Abilify, and we saw immediate results. Better behavior, less controversial and argumentative. Unfortunately, after being on the Abilify for 3 days, one of his teachers observed that his hands were shaking. My son didn't realize until it was pointed out to him. Then, 5 days later, he completely passed out and had tremors. Fortunately, he was at home and fell on the carpet and did it in front of me so we could get help. The doctor immediately took him off the Abilify. We were so hoping the Abilify would work."

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2009

For Depression "My son is 16 and has ADHD and had been diagnosed as being depressed and having an eating disorder in the last 6 months. He takes Concerta for the ADHD. He started Abilify, and we saw immediate results. Better behavior, less controversial and argumentative. Unfortunately, after being on the Abilify for 3 days, one of his teachers observed that his hands were shaking. My son didn't realize until it was pointed out to him. Then, 5 days later, he completely passed out and had tremors. Fortunately, he was at home and fell on the carpet and did it in front of me so we could get help. The doctor immediately took him off the Abilify. We were so hoping the Abilify would work."

• Gol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Started on Abilify in addition to Effexor and Lamictal. Immediately had tremors in hands, lips, and speech. Gained weight and was anxious. Stopped taking when I ran out; tremors stopped, lost weight, and no noticeable negative consequences. Don't know why it was prescribed, but it caused more problems than it helped. Side effects were terrible."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've never been diagnosed as schizophrenic, but this made me paranoid and delusional. Strong twitching and noticeable jerking movements, intense anger, frustration, anxiety, unwanted intrusive thoughts, weight gain, and various other symptoms. In response, my psychiatrist increased the dose of aripiprazole and added additional meds to combat the symptoms. I stopped seeing friends, stopped attending events I had been going to on a weekly basis for years. Eventually, I couldn't even go into a grocery store. Two days after discontinuing aripiprazole (with new doc's blessing), I landed in a psychiatric ward. It never occurred to me that it was the medication's side effects and not me, my mind, my inability to just put on my 'big girl pants' and deal with life. Approximately six years since then, and my mind is not the same, I'm not the same. The fallout is real. Then, I was working full-time, just promoted, and in school. Now, I'm on disability. It works for some, but please proceed with caution."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 18, 2014

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was put on Abilify to help with major depression/clinical depression and anxiety. The side effects were life-changing. Just horrible. I was put on it at 15. I had hallucinations, pass-out spells, times of absolute carelessness, and increased suicidal thoughts. I also became very hateful and paranoid. I developed unexplained muscle twitches, so my doctor finally took me off of it. I also had constant migraines and increased irritability. I was just a mess on this medication! I still have the muscle twitches, and it's been 5 years since I had Abilify."

• Wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I felt like a different person. I felt weird, socially withdrawn, and introverted. I had fogginess in the back of my head. I had no appetite or sex drive. I had shaky legs and hands. I was up all night. I would have times where my eyes were out of focus and I couldn’t see straight. Please do not take this medication. Everybody is different, but my experience was horrible. As I stopped taking it, these side effects are going away. I couldn’t function or do simple tasks."

• Wil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 3, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I felt like a different person. I felt weird, socially withdrawn, and introverted. I had fogginess in the back of my head. I had no appetite or sex drive. I had shaky legs and hands. I was up all night. I would have times where my eyes were out of focus and I couldn’t see straight. Please do not take this medication. Everybody is different, but my experience was horrible. As I stopped taking it, these side effects are going away. I couldn’t function or do simple tasks."

• Voo...
• June 21, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "This is a good antipsychotic and does well for bipolar disorder. I was on 20 mg per day when I suffered a severe manic episode, so it is possible to have episodes while on the medication, but I should point out that I was not taking it every day as I was supposed to. The only side effects I get from this are restlessness, anxiety, and slight tremors."

• Poc...
• February 5, 2019

For Depression "Took a small amount, 2 mg Abilify, to augment Lamotrigine. Really did not like it. Caused me to have tremors, which stayed with me during the duration of therapy. Also increased my anxiousness to the point where sometimes I could not sit down or feel relaxed."

• ann...
• March 25, 2010

For Schizophrenia "I've been on Abilify for about two months. So far, I've found it to be weight neutral. At first, I felt faint a lot, but much less now. I also had tremors at first and difficulty speaking, with a lot of tiredness, but all that has passed. In all, it helps my psychotic symptoms and delusions, not 100%, but it's good enough. I would recommend it to anyone it's prescribed."

• Kie...
• June 14, 2020

For Autism "I've had horrible shaking all over my body, even on the smallest dose (2.5 mg), to the point where I couldn't walk and was escorted in a wheelchair in my room. This medication was given to me for no apparent reason, like everyone else in the ward (autistic and non-autistic). I was the only one not handling it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2012

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Sadly, this medicine was at one time my worst enemy. I couldn't sit still on it, I kept pacing and twitching, half screaming, half crying, agitated, itchy, and angry. I couldn't sleep for more than 4 hours a night, and I was only on 2.5 mg of it. I don't remember if I ate or not on it, but probably not because I was in a type of hell. I know it's a good medicine for a lot of people, but for me, it turned my life upside down."

• she...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 1, 2016

For Depression "I just started taking Abilify for my second go around. It's been about a week, and reading these posts is making me recollect all of the effects the medication had on me last year. On top of things going maniacal with my best friend and husband, I had to deal with weight gain, twitching, and a terrible shallow attitude burst out (hence the maniacal matrimony). But I felt so much more focused, happy'ish (laughing more but the not reaching my eyes type), and more energy, less lethargy. After being so sluggish and down and gray and tired for years, this was a temporary battle of conscience in deciding whether or not to continue taking the medication. I gained about 50 lbs within 2 months on 4 mg a day. I twitched all through the night for months."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine did not work for me. I suffer from bipolar disorder with mood swings and panic disorder. I went up to 10 mg, and it seemed to help my mood, but it pushed my anxiety off the charts. I was a shaky mess while taking it and also unable to focus and complete tasks. Went off within 4 weeks."

• fre...
• December 18, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "In a cocktail of anticonvulsants, this non-neuroleptic antipsychotic is great in stabilizing mixed manic symptoms and the depressive side. It took me one month to bear the side effects, but now it's okay. Better than all the antipsychotics I tried before that gave me unbearable tiredness or tremors/jerkiness."