Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• MakaM...
• February 5, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "This drug is horrendous. I spent a week in a psychiatric ward the year I was twenty, and they titrated it up to ten milligrams by the time I was let out. I was a complete zombie, exhausted all the time - could fall asleep anywhere, any time of the day - so anxious that I had to keep moving my body to function. Kept crossing and uncrossing my legs, wringing my hands, etc. I was so numbed out I simply didn't enjoy life. I don't know how I managed to not kill myself. This thing will wreck you."

• Cathy
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 11, 2012

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I've been on Abilify for nearly 2 years. The first month or so was rough (tired early at night or after a cocktail, restless sleep, waking up early, dizziness, foggy head), but after my Dr. reduced my dose to 2.5 mg/day, side effects improved. The ones that remain are profuse night sweats (SOAKED sheets) and constipation. It does make you a bit tired, but I take it before bed. It completely helped with my irritation/agitation towards people and my children. I have a ton more patience and less anxiety overall. The biggest issue I have is the cost. Get the Abilify Savings card if you are starting a new prescription!"

• Juan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I found out I was bipolar about a month ago. The first pill my PCP gave me was Abilify. Starting on 2mg for the first 2 weeks. I didn't notice anything until maybe the third day. However the rest of that week and the following I have been on a roller coaster. I just started taking 5mg of Abilify and I notice the next day. I had the feeling of being normal again. Only side effect I've notice was when I was depressed I was depressed. Since upping the dose I feel way better."

• Amy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I HATE this drug! I have the more depressive side of bipolar disorder and for some reason got put on this antipsychotic instead of antidepressants. I have had irritability followed by flat affect. All of my creativity is gone as is my sex drive. I'm starting to get more and more depressed. My medicines provider keeps saying to wait or cancelling appointments! I'm probably going to taper myself off if things don't get changed soon."

• kyloo
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I'm on Abilify in conjunction with Lamictal. In ten years this combination is the only one that has worked. While it took some tweaking it is well worth it. Two side effects, constipation and eye rolling."

• queen...
• October 24, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was diagnosed as bipolar type II and my nurse practitioner in WA prescribed me abilify and I gained 30lb within a month of taking it. I blew up like a balloon and he said he doesn't have that side effect. I looked online and it says that it clearly does. He said to take it a few more weeks and see how I did. I gained ten more pounds and my mother insisted I stop taking it. I went from 148 to 188lb. It may have started helped with my symptoms but I was to concerned about my weight gain so he finally put me on Topamax."

• Anonymous
• November 8, 2012

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was prescribed Abilify 15mg in addition to Depakote 1g daily for bipolar affective disorder and my mood was stabilised but it wad constantly low and on the edge. I was heavily sedated that I slept 15 hours a day and when I was awake I didn't feel 'completely there', and I also had blurred vision. I was taken off the Abilify and put onto Quetiapine and was more alert and my vision improved, so in my case Abilify really didn't suit me."

• Kay
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2022

Abilify (aripiprazole) "DO NOT take Abilify for dissociation. I got prescribed this medicine for my bipolar disorder and because I’ve been very afraid of the side effects of others but was told this one would be easier for me to handle. I took it for 2 weeks and had constant panic attacks and intense dissociation. It’s been months since I’ve been off of it and I still have to deal with intense depersonalization from the anxiety and fear this medication brought up in me. Coming off the medication as well is very horrible because it gives you constant headaches during but coming off makes them 100% more intense. It’s like withdrawing from a hard hard drug. It’s not worth your mental health. There are better alternatives than this medication. This medication has ruined my perception of other meds and I don’t think I could possibly take any ones like it again. This medication DOES NOT help dissociation, it makes you feel 100% worse."

• LaSki...
• September 1, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Wow. I took it and many of the reviews here could have been me. Was on it for 3 weeks couldn’t take the side effects. My tongue was swollen 2x it’s size uncontrollable salivating. Anger outbursts that were uncharacteristic of me, impulsivity, akasthasia horrible kicking legs as I tried to go to sleep. Doc was kind enough to pull me off it as I gained 20 pounds in this month. Ridiculous. It was not a “live saver” for me either. "

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2008

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have been taking Abilify for a week. It has already taken the edge off the rages. However, am still experiencing high anxiety. My family says I am calmer so that is deinitely a plus. I feel tired and wired at the same time - it is a weird feeling. I am very paranoid. I was paranoid before but this seems to have made it worse. But I am only on 2 mg's. At least the rages are better. I am hopeful that this medication along with help from my doctor will be enough to get my life back."

• Keddey
• November 18, 2009

Abilify (aripiprazole) "It did wonders for my mood, HOWEVER I was NOT told of the risks involved. And the positive did NOT outweigh the negative in this case. After only a month, I developed Atrodystrphy and my legs hurt badly. I can't sit still, I pace, I cry, ...anything to get the pain to stop. My pysch said it was from the Abilify. I'm now on Geodon and praying this isn't permanent. PLEASE be informed before taking this medication!"

• boo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2022

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Okay, this was the worst for me. I know some people love it but it gave me SEVERE AKATHISIA to the degree that made every single day a nightmare. Could not sit still for more than a minute, could not sleep, super jittery, extremely angry... I tried it twice over the last 5 years and both times were the same. I wouldn't take it again, not for a million dollars!"

• Kaise...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "On the first day of abilify I experienced stabilization. My mood was stable after two weeks on Abilify and I have not experienced any side effects. I do not experience weight gain on Abilify which is a blessing. I notice that my mood is friendlier and more positive. I started eating more fruits and vegetables and I maintain a healthy diet on Abilify. I only have positive things to say about Abilify. Please give this medication a try it’ll change your life for the better."

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

Abilify (aripiprazole) "This medicine did not work for me. I suffer from Bipolar with mood swings and panic disorder. I went up to 10mg 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."

• royals
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 3, 2019

Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole) "Before Abilify I was in and out of the hospital for years. They had me on olanzapine and it made me feel like a slug so I would stop taking it and end up back in the hospital because of manic attacks. They finally suggested this med for me and it has really worked! I don't feel manic, I can think clearly, I feel normal emotions and I have a decent amount of energy. The only side effect I had was that it made me feel sick for the first month every morning. It has really worked for me but you have a give it a month for it to actually work if you are on it."

• vinny...
• January 8, 2018

Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole) "It's not for me 6 weeks on and cannot wait till it's out my system. Makes me feel like I can't stay in one place too long. It has ruined my sleep and has made me unsocial. I am not saying it's a bad drug just not for me......"

• TJano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2018

Abilify (aripiprazole) "It did not stabilize my moods. I’m still all over the place, and the fact that I can’t sit still get really under my nerves. I’m super paranoid on this. I feel 10x worse than I did before. It messed me up completely. Side Effects: Severe akathisia, High anxiety, Paranoia, Delusions, Mania, Depression, Suicidal Ideation. I only took this for 2 weeks at a low dose of 5mg and I'M DONE."

• Loulou
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 13, 2019

Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole) "Starting in 2003 I have had problems. By 2009 it increased and my family finally took it serious when I tried to jump out of my mother's vehicle. 2012 I saw a new psychiatrist who finally got me stable on Abilify Maintena 400mg dose. It has been a miracle drug for me. Side effects suck but I can deal with the weight gain I guess. To counteract the fatigue I also take nuvugil and vyvance which I can sleep through these drugs that is how strong the fatigue is. But I am functional, happy, and no crazy wild thoughts. If I do have them they are not as strong and I tend to just shrug them off. I can tell the shot is working because at the end of the month I start getting irritable and sad and immediately when I take it I feel better. Oddly enough I cannot take abilify by pill form because it causes akathesia. I have tried every psychiatric drug there is and nothing has gotten me to where I am today expect Abilify Maintena"

• Candy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "A psychiatrist of very questionable competence added Abilify to my antidepressant so that I would have to come back more often for visits (my antidepressant was working fine). The six weeks that I was on Abilify, I could not sit still in a chair for even five minutes. All I would do is pace. I have never been classified as bipolar by anyone but this doctor (major depression - yes) and I lived a nightmare while taking Abilify. I don't wish this on anyone. If a doctor suggests that you take this drug, please ask a lot of questions and do some research on your own."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "This med wasn’t good for me. It made my anxiety really bad, to the point where I couldn’t even leave my house. I became lightheaded and dizzy and wound up in the hospital because of it. I am currently on zyprexa to fix what the abilify has done to me. This was my experience which may not be the experience you have. Good luck."

• kaylee
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2023

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I've suffered from depression since I was 12. I'm now 36. At 31, I was diagnosed with bipolar 2. I've tried various combinations of antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants. I've found a few that have somewhat worked, but none of them have given me the motivation and will to live like Abilify has, just in the 4 days I've been taking it. I'm doing my hobbies again, and I actually cleaned the whole house at once for the first time in a year. I'm painting my nails again and doing makeup again, which I haven't done in over 4 months now. I read the reviews on here before suggesting it to my doctor, and boy, I'm so glad I did. I have hope again for my future. I have the will to actually live again! The only side effects I'm experiencing are kinda unfortunate but worth it in my opinion - I sometimes throw up in my throat and have heartburn. I may be experiencing insomnia a tad bit too. I recommend trying this drug. I'm also taking 100mg lamotrigine once daily."

• Anonymous
• March 10, 2012

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I've just finished my first week on Abilify, and although I've been told that the med is ready to do its job from the 2nd or 3rd day you take it, I don't think my brain chemistry has settled down to one reaction. Right now, I'm pleased. I have Bipolar Type 2, and Abilify was prescribed to help with my constant depression. Now I am going back and forth between a little anxious and mildly manic, sometimes in one day. This is a huge improvement. I have energy! I can smile! Hope this is permanent"

• bigger...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 1, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I like Abilify a lot because I used to be extremely irritable. I also couldn't ride my bicycle when I was manic because I would not focus on my safety. Luckily, I now only get hypomanic episodes thanks to Abilify. I feel like I am free to get off of my emotional roller coaster and explore the world outside. The only few problems it gave me were akasthesia and weight gain. I'm 14 years old, and I don't know whether I gained 40 lbs from growing, the medicine, or both."

• Lucy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have always been against taking medication, although I have epilepsy and have to. I was very weary of starting this one, or any other mood stabilizer. Now that I have been taking it for two weeks, I'm so glad I did. It was like walking out of a dark room and back into the light of day. I use to just go about my daily activities with dread. Now I am excited to be a part of society again. I have gotten back in contact with old friends don't experience hardly any social anxiety and have so much energy. Thank you abilify"

• Chris...
• May 4, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I take Abilify 2mg along with Wellbutrin 300mg as well and feel so much better. No side affects at all. I was on Risperidone which was AWFUL! I think this medication must work differently when taken with Wellbutrin because I noticed a big difference for the better!"