Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Skinn...
• June 5, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "My experience with Abilify was destructive. I am 25 now, and have had MDD since age 10. 4 Years ago I took Abilify for about 3-4months. During that time I experienced paranoia, delusions, worsened depression, and extreme weight gain. I'd never had paranoia or delusions before and it brought my normal baseline from a 5/10 to a 1/10. That still hasn't changed. I also experienced an extreme compulsive desire to eat (did not go away after I stopped the med) as well as total thyroid shutdown (atrophy) as can be affirmed by my endocrinologist. In about 4 months I gained 80 lbs (more than 60% of my original body weight). I will be on multiple medications the rest of my life to treat damage from Abilify."

• Green...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 12, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I first tried this drug about five years ago and have been on it consistently for two to three years. The good: this drug really changed my life. I'd tried a laundry list of antidepressants and they were mostly like popping sugar pills--they didn't do much at all. My psychiatrist suggested adding Abilify and it did something that no drug had ever done for me: it stabilized my mood (which was all over the map) . It allowed me to be happy and productive for the first time ever in my adult life. The bad: I have consistently gained weight every year I've been on the drug, with no sign of a plateau. I'm experimentally discontinuing it to see if I can lose the weight (which is, counter-productively, making me depressed again)."

• Depre...
• September 11, 2017

Abilify (aripiprazole) "While this medication can be obtained relatively cheaply, please make sure you read about any side effects it can cause. While I did feel a little better while taking it, I gained a significant amount of weight in a short period of time (40lbs in 2 months). I have since been taken off of it because the rapid weight gain was concerning to my PCP who relayed it to my Psychiatrist. Make sure you speak up if you are experiencing any of the side effects. Weight gain like I experienced is not worth me taking this medication."

• 66young
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 30, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was prescribed Ambilify for MDD, it was added to my Citalopram. I noticed a positive difference within 4 days. After a few weeks on it I felt even better, had energy & motivation for the first time in years. I slept better and was ready to get out of bed in the the morning. However, within 3 months of taking this I gained almost 20lbs. I had a bit of a weight problem before this so I was of course really freaked out. My doctor told me it wasn't the Ambilify, it was my eating habits, I knew different but I loved how I felt so I kept taking it. Fast forward 6 months, I've gained 38lbs, I hate the way I look so much I won't leave my house and my depression returned. I stopped taking it slowly, I've lost my energy and physical things are twice as hard because of my weight. I'm seriously disappointed to have to stop taking something that helped me so much because of the extreme weight gain."

• Never...
• July 31, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I took abilify once, at night, in a psych ward because of my new doctor. I went to bed, like normal. When I woke up in the morning to take vitals I started to get this tightness in my chest that I couldn't place. I was going to ask for my inhaler because I have asthma, but then I heard roaring in my ears and my vision went fuzzy. I didn't know it then but my blood pressure was dropping from a healthy level down to 53/28. I panicked and stood up, and then dropped to the floor like a rock. I was lucky the nurse caught me. My heart stopped. I don't truly remember a lot about that day but that was because I was either unconscious or in a dreamy haze. Ability sent me into anaphylactic shock and almost killed me. No ratings lower than one, sadly."

• garre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 26, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Update: I have been on Abilify 2 mg. And 45mg Remeron three months and still doing good. Have gained 10 pounds but needed it. A little tired at times, but we'll worth it. No sexual side effects. Hoping for long term success!"

• vena...
• June 19, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I took 2.5 milligrams of abilify for a month, then the generic came out and I had to use that because the insurance wouldn't pay for brand name. It was the worst experience I've had, I couldn't stay awake so I started taking it at night time still really bad result so I called my insurance company and I called my doctor and I'm now back on the regular abilify brand name 5 milligrams. However I'm afraid of the weight gain I've already gained weight on Cymbalta and I'm afraid I'll gain more on the abilify however it does make me active enough for hopefully I'll be able to walk a lot of it off or something, does anybody have any suggestions to keeping the weight off?"

• realf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I'm still hoping this drug will actually produce some results, but it hasn't made a difference yet. What it has done though is make me feel REALLY lethargic, to the point I stopped taking it in the morning as I was directed, because I'd be unable to function at all. But now that I take it at night, I still feel lethargic, but I cannot actually fall asleep or stay asleep. I just feel like a drugged out mess. Also, I read this can cause weight gain and excessive hunger, but I'm the opposite. I have zero appetite. I'm not impressed yet, but I'm encouraged by so many others who say it's helped them. So I'm gonna try a little longer."

• Jojo
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 27, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "While this medication is quite effective in controlling my depression, I've gained 25 pounds despite reducing calories. This in itself has cause me to be depressed. I crave sweets and I feel blood sugar spikes. I do not have diabetes. I am an otherwise healthy 48 year old. I am on the lowest dose possible. I have been on the drug for two years so do not be fooled that this may be a temporary condition for some. Exercise has done nothing to reduce the weight. My knees and back are suffering. I am on a 1200 calorie diet and still slightly overweight. My doctor tells me it's a price to pay for being emotionally healthy. It's hard to accept. There must be something out there to counteract the weight gain."

• Hopeful...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "On the 2 0r 2.5 mg as an add on to Trintellix. Definite noticeable improvement on mood and energy. No weight gain. The effects seem to be intermittent, so I'm hopeful my dosage will be increased on the next visit to my P-doc. It shows potential of being a life changer for the positive. I think an up to 5 mg may do the trick :) Great there is a $4 generic for my insurance."

• cyan
• May 31, 2017

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I agree w/ Triple Dee. This drug=the worst. It was suppose to help psychotics. It turned me into a zombie. Also turned me into a compulsive shopper, which can be accomplished from the couch I became glued to due to my zombie state. With no motivation, my house was a mess. And, the eating!!! OMG. I gained a pound a day. I have clinical depression & massive anxiety. I take 40mg of Viibryd. Tough tough drug to get on in the beginning, but I stuck to it & it's been a blessing. No sexual or eating side effects. I went on 450 WellButrin to survive Midwest winters. I stay on it year round. Anxiety-I take Xanax-four .5 pills a day-3 @ bedtime & I split the 4th-1/2 in the morning; 1/2 at dinner. Don't want all these drugs, but they keep me going & productive."

• Zano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2018

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I’ve only been on it for a few days, I have anxiety/ADHD/depression/BPD. I’m on lexapro 20mg and it helped for a little bit but I was still having crazy ups and downs throughout the day. Happy and then 20 minutes later crying and upset. Although I haven’t been diagnosed with BP 2, I believe I have it. This medicine so far has done wonders. I’m actually energetic, talkative, I WANT to work out (I always had to drag myself to the gym), and I feel like I’m living better. Downside is it’s hard to fall asleep at night. Nothing major, I’m gonna try Melatonin tonight and see if it helps. Other side effects are nausea and a slight headache for me."

• unico...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have been on Abilify (10mg) for the past 3 weeks. It has been very helpful with my psychosis/hallucinations. I have only hallucinated twice in the past 3 weeks. There have been some complications though. I have experience side effects of nausea, light-headedness, being constantly tired, and dizziness. My depression seems to be lightening up every day and that it wonderful."

• Gungu...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 3, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "This drug was a life saver. I was put on this medication after going through a tough bout of post partum depression right after having the baby. If I hadn't gotten help when I did I'm sure it was becoming psychosis. After taking Ability along with anti-depressant and smtg for anxiety for a couple weeks I was finally able to see the light again. Wasn't sure I'd ever be normal again but thankfully I was able to figure it out and function again."

• AnonA...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "When I was younger I was put on Abilify in combination with antidepressants. I've been off of it for about 5 years or so now. As I recall it didn't do much for me, however my weight skyrocketed during the time I was on it, and it stuck with me even after I was off of it. At my worst I was about 250 pounds. I've lost a lot of weight since then, however, I still struggle with my weight today which creates a self-esteem issue that adds to my depression."

• Laura
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 6, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was put on this medicine a year ago and yes it helped my depression but I had dizziness and I felt like a zombie. No energy or ambition to do anything. I am just now telling my doctor to take me off. I can't go back to work this way. I can see it helping some people if they need to be calmed down per se"

• XHorw...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 16, 2019

"Miracle drug!!! I am 27 years old and have suffered for over a decade with MDD, Anxiety and ADHD. I have tried every anti-depressant, stimulant, mood stabilizer out there ... you name it, I've tried it. My psych recommended trying Abilify alone, not as an add on. It has changed my life since week 1. I AM ALIVE AGAIN ... something I never thought would be possible. I have my energy back, no more brain fog, and I am able to maintain relationships with the ones I love. I am no longer living in a dark black hole of sorrow. I am so grateful for this medication. It is worth every penny and more. I am now going on 2 years on it and no side effects AT ALL! Xx"

• Hard2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 21, 2017

Abilify (aripiprazole) "This medicine made me have dream's that seem like reality night terrorism. Had me talking to and seeing people and things that were not there. I was talking to dead people! My family almost had me committed. A real vacation in a bottle is what I call it now! I'm so upset thank god I stop taking it when I did or who knows what else would or could have happened! Was a really bad vacation in a bottle!"

• Cheerio
• September 16, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Several years ago I was prescribed Abilify as an add on to my Paxil 50 mg. Which I've been taking for 24 yrs for Major Depression. It was amazing. I was so happy. I became interested again in things that I used to enjoy. Unfortunately my only bad side effect was that it made me cry for absolutely no reason. I could be talking to someone about anything at all, and the tears would start. I had to stop taking it because nobody wanted to be around me anymore. My doctor has never heard of this happening with Abilify. Lucky me."

• Krieg...
• June 18, 2017

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have taken every medicine that there is for my Major Depressive Disorder & the only thing that helped was Viibryd 40mg. So I've been on that for 2 years and last time I went back to my psychiatrist I told him that I still had a lot of days where I'm still extremely depressed. So he put me on Abilify 10mg once a day. Been taking that for almost a week. Well my problem is that both meds work great for me. But I've never had high blood pressure and I'm 37 years old. I went to my primary care Dr Friday and they put me on blood pressure meds. So I'm wondering if it's the Abilify causing me to have high blood pressure since all my life my blood pressure has been perfect till now."

• vitalis
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Tolerated 5mg so was bumped up to 10, tolerated that and was bumped up to 15. AT this point, I'm so confused and disoriented by the Abilify that I can't tell the difference between real life and the fever dreams it gives me."

• SC Gal
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 22, 2017

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I prescribed Abilify adjunct 60mg Cymbalta I had been on for years during a very stressful and depressing time in my life. It was GREAT ! I was going to have to go into the hospital but it worked within 5 days!!! I was recommending it to everyone in my family! After being on it for 6 months, and gaining about 20 lbs., I developed a profound tremor or tic in my hand and I couldn't make it stop - not even at night so I couldn't sleep. They took me off the Abilify and within 4 weeks the tremor stopped completely. I also lost 25 lbs. without even trying since being off of it. Recently, I noticed increased depression and anxiety so I am trying other meds now to get back on track. So far Deplin & Latuda have not worked. Just started Rexulti...."

• SlimGuy
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 13, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Took the medication for about 2.5 years, in addition to various other antidepressants such as Lexapro, Effexor XR, and Cymbalta. It did help me feel better and more stabilized for about the first 6 months of taking it. However, after those initial 6 months I felt it did very little if anything at all and my mood began to deteriorate. Additionally, I also gained over 25 pounds. I have always been a slim to toned athletic individual, so this weight gain was very uncharacteristic of me. In fact, my condition got so bad that I was actually too depressed to even get out of bed most days and never exercised. My diet remained more or less healthy throughout my time on Abilify. Stopped~Thanksgiving 2014, lost 30 pounds since, all else constant."

• Taper...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Abilify 2mg added on to my regular SSRI took me out of the nightmare pit I was living in and brought me back to stable. The fatigue with this drug is indescribable; I could sleep 20 hours a day if I didn’t force myself to work. I am finally off if, but I had to taper with a 1ml syringe and use a liquid form. It took me 4 months. If you want to discontinue, please taper very very slowly."

• Yalli...
• October 18, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was prescribed 2.5 mg of Abilify to augment Pristiq 200 mg as depression severe. It worked quickly & my sleep & appetite improved a lot. So far I get some hungry periods but no huge weight gain yet. Hope it won't occur as it seems to help me. Good luck. It is expensive at $166 for 2 months supply. Insurance rebate $133 though."