Abilify User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Wha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2016

For Depression "I have suffered depression most of my life and finally was 'diagnosed' by a psychopharmacologist in 2011. I have been on pretty much every antidepressant known to man over the past 20 years and finally was put on a cocktail of Lithium, Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Clonazepam (at bedtime). I had also taken Abilify at this time for about 1 year but the doctor felt I probably didn't need it anymore as I was stable. However, for about the past 2 years I have been suffering from MAJOR fatigue and some days I was unable to go to work as I was so tired. My GP has just put me back on Abilify 5 mg and I feel fantastic. I have so much energy and I have found happiness and enjoyment in the things I had lost interest in."

• Sub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I am a 24-year-old male with Bipolar II. Depression is what I struggle with 98% of the time. I have been taking this med, Abilify, for about a month now, so long enough. I switched to this from Zyprexa, and that switch was rough. My anxiety came back worse than before on this med, and the restlessness was too much for me. I took 5mg, and I would get an hour or two of sleep per day and not be able to sit still during the day. I will say that it cured my depression completely, so for that, I am grateful. As far as my anxiety, sleep, and overall mood, it has not improved. Moving up in dosage caused more restlessness, and moving down to 2.5mg or less made me tired and didn't do much for my mood. This med didn't work for me, but it's not the worst med, give it a shot. I'm switching to Latuda, wish me luck."

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2017

For Depression "I am 6’4, 185 pounds, and had 2mg generic ABILIFY added to my 450 mg Wellbutrin. It works. I could feel the improvement within a week. I have more energy and motivation to do things. I don’t dwell on negative things as much as before. It appears that low doses of this drug are the best as an adjunct to antidepressants for depression compared to higher doses. Higher doses are better for the other indications. It does seem to be somewhat constipating for me, and others have different GI side effects. But the benefits far outweigh any transient side effects."

• jwj...
• February 27, 2016

For Depression "Our 12-year-old son was having terrible anxiety and could not get along with anyone at school. He did not trust anyone and would not listen to anyone either. He suggested suicide more than once but thankfully never went through with it. We regularly saw a therapist but he would not listen. We reluctantly decided to add the smallest dose of Abilify to his depression medicine. In approximately 2 days, we saw an immediate change. He seems more 'balanced' and the anxiety level down significantly. It has only been 2 weeks... but so far so good."

• 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!"

• Ran...
• November 8, 2015

For Depression "My anxiety and then depression began about 4 months ago. I didn't want to get out of bed, and had compulsive negative thoughts, no energy or motivation, and couldn't sleep, lost 20 pounds. I was prescribed Lexapro generic. This med did almost nothing for 3 months. Within a week of adding Abilify generic, most symptoms changed. I feel much better, have appetite, better energy, optimism, more like me, and motivated to get out of bed when I wake up... which is great."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2016

For Depression "I've been taking Venlafaxine (Effexor) for about 5 years for depression and anxiety, but my dosage had to be increased by my psychiatrist a few times. He suggested I try 2 mg of Aripiprazole (Abilify) for a couple of months. I've been very pleased with the results. I find I have more energy and I'm able to complete tasks without procrastinating. My thoughts have become much more positive, and I don't fly off the handle the way I used to. Negatives are waking through the night every hour on the hour, and I'm not the night owl I used to be, which is probably a good thing. No weight gain either. Reading the other stories, I can see many people have side effects, so I can't recommend it, but it could also turn your life around."

• Anonymous
• October 2, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I am currently on Prozac 20 mg for panic disorder and depression and Abilify 10 mg for schizophrenia and trazodone 50 mg to sleep, and all I can say is wow! This combination has literally saved my life. I wish I would have gotten on Abilify years ago for schizophrenia, it has totally changed my life. If you have schizophrenia, I’d say definitely give it a try! It has drastically improved my quality of life!"

• JC ...
• February 9, 2017

For Depression "I've dealt with profound depression most of my adult life. I've gone the gamut of most antidepressants with varying degrees of success. Most, even the very useful, usually lose potency after a few years. Out of desperation, my physician prescribed a small dose of 2 mg of Abilify in conjunction with Wellbutrin. Within a few days, my energy levels skyrocketed, and my mood greatly improved. Even though I'm concerned about the many side effects, I plan on staying with it while it still helps."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2015

For Autism "Abilify changed the life of my son, who is 15 years old, with autism. He takes 15 mg in the morning, and it has allowed me the chance to take him to a restaurant or the movies. I love the changes it brought to our life."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2017

For Depression "I have experienced depression for years now and nothing seemed to work or I would get all of the side effects. A few weeks ago, my Dr. prescribed Abilify and wow, it works. I am taking 5mg a day currently. I say give it a try. It improved my mood and my depression after a few days. It has given me a better quality of life with my 10-year-old son. It has pulled me out of the dark. I hope it keeps working."

• Jus...
• March 26, 2014

For Depression "So this stuff worked wonders on depression. I couldn't believe how fast it worked and how much better it made me feel, and I mean like in less than a week! BUT the bad news for me, I had a rare side effect, the first one of my psychiatrist's patients to ever get it and he had to look it up to confirm that it was being caused by the medication (although I knew it was for sure)... It made me go blind! I don't mean black out blind, but rather it made it so my pupils couldn't dilate and constrict properly so I couldn't focus my eyesight enough to even read anymore. So, 10 days after starting it I stopped and luckily 3 days after stopping my eyes started to return to normal, but that freaked me out beyond belief!!! Worked great for depression."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Abilify (generic) for about a month now. My lows are higher and my highs are nonexistent. I’m mostly flat emotionally, lacking interest in everything, including people. It is good for my irritability and delusions, but the side effects are tough."

• Hel...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication has ruined my self-esteem and essentially my life. I have gained 50 lbs from this medication. That wasn’t a typo, 50 freaking lbs! I’ve recently stopped taking it, but no weight has come off yet. I’m beside myself. I don’t know what to do. I hate the way I look now."

• Coo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Abilify and Zoloft work well for my bipolar depression. My mood has never been so controlled, I feel like a new and normal person. It kills my sex drive, so I also take a supplement for women, which helps a lot."

• Bab...
• January 5, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Absolutely amazing has changed my life. I absolutely love this medication. It helped with my anxiety, depression, has helped with all-around social anxiety, very highly recommended. I got to put down three other medications just to take this one pill a day, awesome."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2021

For Depression "I suffered from severe anxious depression for almost 2 years. I even spent $4,000.00 in early 2019 out of pocket for a series of ketamine injections. I was a full non-responder to ketamine for depression. Less than 2 months ago, I started 2 mg Abilify added to my 50 mg Zoloft, in just 7 or 8 days, my depression was GONE, as was my catastrophic anxiety-filled thinking patterns. I'm now on 4 mg Abilify along with 50 mg Zoloft. Abilify has literally changed my life 100 percent in such a short time. I have ME back!!"

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2009

For Depression "I developed Tardive Dyskinesia and Dystonia after having taken Abilify (for too long apparently). It has made my life far more difficult. I am posting this because I just want to make people more aware that this happens so it doesn't happen to them if they can avoid it."

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 8, 2014

For Depression "Abilify has truly changed my life. Before I started taking it, I was crying every day for hours. A day, I felt a sadness for what seemed like no reason, and it just would not go away. I started with 2.5mg and felt no change, but at 5mg I felt a drastic improvement in my mood. I take it in addition to Adderall XR for ADHD. I was taking Vistaril for my anxiety, but that doesn't do anything but make you ridiculously tired, so I just got Klonopin, going to give that a try. My only drawback to Abilify is that for me it makes me very tired, so I take it at night."

• Sa1...
• April 10, 2013

For Depression "After thinking that antidepressants were just a huge money maker for the pharmaceutical industry, I was prescribed 2mg of Abilify in combination with Wellbutrin (300mg) and 10mg of Prozac. I feel like a new man. I just hope that the effects don't wear off over time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 19, 2019

For Depression "Abilify is not the answer. I have been taking it for 3 years. I am emotionally numb and have gained 35 lbs. I now have issues with cholesterol, blood sugar, and thyroid function. I still hear voices and have gone through some of my darkest episodes of depression. Blocking dopamine levels is not the answer. It disturbs homeostasis and cures nothing. The psychiatric community is reaching for an answer when they still don’t understand the disease. They cannot measure dopamine levels and have no idea if high dopamine levels are truly the cause of psychosis. The side effects are not worth it especially when it doesn’t cure psychosis."

• Isl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2019

For Depression "I was sleeping up to 15 hours a day on this drug. I would leave work early nearly every single day because I was so exhausted. If there were any positive changes to my mood, I didn't notice because I was either sleeping or half-asleep 75% of the time."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2019

For Depression "I started Abilify approximately 6 weeks ago, 2 mg. I had finally found a drug to help me. I was happy, busy, catching up on things I had let go. Then I noticed my legs were very weak. I thought I was anemic again, or was it a statin for my cholesterol? So, I had to see my neurologist for dystonia. I told him about my legs. He had me do different motions with arms and legs, and told me to get off of this Abilify. It had affected the Dopamine in my brain, which has caused Parkinsonism and will last 6 months to 1 and a 1/2 years. When I walk, I’m exhausted and when I can, I use a scooter. I’m so sad and upset... this medicine worked, but very bad side effect."

• jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2013

For Depression "After 7 weeks on Lexapro & seeing no change at all in depression or anxiety, my primary care doc switched me to Abilify (only). I was on Abilify previously with Remeron and did well. I was told by doc on Friday 7/19 that I should start feeling better by Monday & he was right! I feel almost like myself again. Wake up a few times during the night, but am able to go right back to sleep. Still have some anxiety in the mornings (it used to be debilitating and would have to take 1mg of Ativan to calm down). This morning I only had to take 0.5 of the Ativan, so I think this is really working good. I also just got a new small dog on Sunday, which I'm sure helps also with the depression/anxiety but the change is so great I had to share."

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was on Abilify for 2 weeks and developed Tardive Dyskinesia quickly. It started with hip thrusting and then mouth smacking, eyes blinking. I couldn’t handle it. I was on a fairly low dose once a day. I also take a small dose of Reglan daily for gastroparesis and I went off of that and quit eating (can’t eat without it) to see if the TD would stop, and it didn’t. So, I am quitting the Abilify. I did have one positive experience, though, with Abilify, and that’s that it brought me out of my extreme depression to where I was able to get up and shower and do normal things again. My depression had gotten so bad that I couldn’t even shower. So, would I recommend this drug? Give it a try, but make sure if you show any signs of TD to talk to your doctor ASAP!"