Aripiprazole for Schizophrenia User Reviews

• jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2021

"I've been on Abilify for about five days. And I noticed a big change. I'm not having any intrusive/destructive thoughts. I'm not hearing voices. Even my dreams have gotten better. So, I WOULD DEF RECOMMEND!"

• Sta...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 2, 2014

"My experience with Abilify has been great because I no longer have schizophrenia or psychosis. I have been on this medication since 2008 and I have never had any side effects at all, which is brilliant! I also feel so much better since I was diagnosed, like I am a new person."

• Gyp...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 3, 2020

"My son was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2017 at the age of 21. He tried just about every psychiatric medication in the market over a period of two years with little improvements and lots of side effects including weight gain, etc. Finally, he was put on Abilify 20mg daily tablets. Within less than a month, his condition started to improve significantly. He is now on a monthly injection, which is very convenient. No side effects whatsoever. It is now almost a year, and we are very pleased with the results. Abilify was a godsend."

• jjp...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2013

"I used to hear bad voices in my head, and thought the government was watching me, had evil thoughts in my head while hearing voices. My doctor prescribed me Abilify, and within 2 days all the voices went away, as long as I take it, the voices are not there. What a miracle it has been for me."

• Roc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2019

"When I was 24 years old, out of nowhere I started having schizophrenia symptoms. I believed incredible grandiose religious delusions, thought my television sets had cameras in them, and believed that when people coughed or made sounds, they were mocking me subliminally. I didn't receive treatment until the age of 30 and was working full time but getting myself in reckless situations. After I lost everything I had besides my awesome family, I was put on a Community Treatment Order (CTO). After 4 months on Invega, I was extremely suicidal and thought I'd never regain my normal life. If there is one thing I have learned about meds, it's that they take a lot longer to work than you think. I have been on 10 mg of Abilify for approximately six months, and for the entire duration, I would have intrusive thoughts and random urges. Finally, going into the sixth month, the side effects are really starting to subside, and I'm starting to fully regain my emotions and not be afraid of people."

• End...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2020

"When I was first diagnosed with psychosis, about six years ago, they put me on risperidone. It was only recently that I discovered that, for all that time, even a moderate dose like 3.5mg/night was making me sleepy ALL DAY. I had no motivation, I became completely inert, I gained a lot of weight, maybe 50 or so pounds, which is a lot for my height. They recently switched me to Abilify, and I’ve gotta say, it’s a hundred times better! I’m back to being 'up', I’m interested in things again, in being productive, I can even work. As for the weight, it doesn’t give me the appetite that risperidone did, nor does it mess up my blood sugar levels like risperidone did. There’s still a bit of fatigue, but my Concerta, prescribed for ADD, nips that in the bud. Besides, even without the Concerta, the fatigue levels are just nowhere near risperidone levels. TL;DR in terms of fatigue, motivation levels, and weight gain, Abilify is, by FAR, the better choice over risperidone."

• Anonymous
• October 2, 2020

"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!"

• Ove...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2018

"This medication's side effects are far worse than any good it does. If you don't mind sleeping all day, gaining weight, breaking out with zits, becoming a total zombie, and doing nothing productive with your life at all, this is the drug for you. Hearing voices is not so bad in comparison to how bad this drug makes you feel and the want to gamble your life savings away. The second the injection enters your blood, you instantly feel greasy. This stuff is a total joke and has the power to turn a smart and clever individual into a total brainless slug."

• Lov...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 8, 2014

"Struggled with paranoia for 20 years while taking Effexor only. Checked into a psych ward after a manic episode and they added 5mg Abilify. I was skittish for a month but then the paranoia and general suspicious nature just went away. I still see a shrink every month for upkeep but I'm the happiest I've ever been in my life and I swear by this medicine! Clear head and no side effects."

• adv...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 13, 2020

"Abilify Maintena has changed my life drastically in such positive ways. The AH, VH, and TH are all gone, I am able to function without the distraction of delusions and can hold a steady job and take care of my children. I wouldn't be able to do any of this if it weren't for this injection."

• Anonymous
• February 5, 2020

"This medication, Abilify, has been life-changing for me. I lost my job and was scared about my future living with schizophrenia. I'm currently taking 15 mg daily in the morning. I do experience some symptoms from time to time, so I am going to have them up my dose to 20 mg. But overall, I am thrilled and thankful for this medication."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2019

"I have been on Abilify for just a day, so far no side effects. I'm on 10 mg and I know it's only been a day, but I have no stiffness in my legs, and my appetite is non-existent, which I'm happy about. The voices have quieted down, and I feel in a better mood. Hopeful and looking forward to getting back to work. Fingers crossed it will continue :)"

• Doi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 9, 2019

"Was on paliperidone for 6 months and pretty much wanted to die. Switched to Abilify 200 mg injection, and things are much better. Took a very long time to get over the first medication, but once I did, the difference between the two was night and day. I am not dizzy when I stand up, and my strength has returned. I still feel a little zombie-like, though, so cannot give it a ten, but no voices and no obvious side effects. If you are suffering from a not too severe case of schizophrenia or a drug-and-alcohol-induced psychosis, then this drug may just work for you. Best of luck."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 9, 2020

"This Abilify was my first antipsychotic I was put on. It wasted a year of my life. I had to abuse stimulants (which made my symptoms worse) to function. My hallucinations were semi-controlled, but I still heavily struggled with delusions. I thought it was the best I could get, but no. After trying many more, I found an antipsychotic that doesn't make me a robot. If this one makes you feel terrible, ask your doctor to talk about your options. Don't settle for any less than you deserve! Life is livable with schizophrenia, but you have to have the right tools."

• Pho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2020

"Went on an episode and relapse and took them away. BUT BE WARNED: it is like working out (as in going to the gym). You take the injection and then you work out your mentality because depression side effects start to kick in. Took away my passion for pretty much anything, and I gained 15 pounds. Been on it for 5 months. But also remember that it is different for everybody. My sleep has been horrible, but I still sleep for 10-14 hours a day. It makes you careless about your decisions, so you won't care about what you eat, and you will eat a lot since you won't care."

• Kor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 25, 2016

"Abilify 20 mg. I am a patient diagnosed with disorganized schizophrenia, depression, schizoaffective disorder, and bipolar. I have experienced a sensitivity to my emotions, as well as how I react to my feelings. I really don't feel out of the normal with any 'sexual frustration'...and I wouldn't say this has increased or decreased. I feel less anxious on the medication and seemingly more at ease with myself when I take this medication. It is a hard step to have people telling you that you actually do better on this pill when half your life ago, you didn't have 'mental illness', and suddenly you become someone else. My weight did fluctuate when on this drug. But I feel it was due to stress factors outside of a regular environment. I feel if you place yourself in good surroundings and support, you do much better at being the person you are here to be. I am so much happier in life with a routine. I feel like I only referred to elongated periods of sleep because of depression, and events surrounding certain time frames hence thoughts, and reactions. Abilify (aripiprazole). My instant reaction from this drug is concern for my well-being. I am nervous because I am one of the people taking this drug till the stars fade, every day to my last. My doctors all seem to say the same thing, and that is, 'This medication is working for you'. I do blood tests when I go into the hospital frequently, and they are not finding anything off the charts and everything is always normal with my vitals. My thought is, how do they consider this medication works for me? Because I am not showing side effects? Because I am accepting? I feel I have to hold patience, my own value, what I care about around me to help better myself mentally and my virtue. I feel that I am just not the type of person to curbside answers to things we wonder deeply about, I guess. I don't know if there are any people who would agree then that I should ask if there are any women who have taken Abilify during a pregnancy? Just wondering what the reaction is... Is my question? I am a 30-year-old female diagnosed with mental illness starting in 2004. I started to take Abilify 20 mg in 2004 to present. Overall, since this medication has not been threatening to me, I feel I should embrace it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 20, 2013

"I switched from Risperdal to Abilify two years ago. On 15mg, and it works much better for me. On Risperdal, my symptoms (paranoia) still poked through, but not anymore. Also, the side effects are a lot less present. I still sleep about 10 hours, though. Otherwise, my functioning is high."

• Win...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2019

"I started Abilify a week ago at 20 mg daily. The only side effects I’ve noticed are that I fall asleep fine, but I do have vivid dreams and tend to wake up throughout the night. Then, in the daytime, I seem to have an inability to sit still for extended periods of time without moving or stretching. That part is mildly annoying. However, I have noticed a slight increase in energy level or the ability to just get up and take my dog out for walks and have started to get more motivated to actually get stuff done around the house, which off medication was very hard for me to do. I’ve had no weight gain or any other side effects yet, but I have only been on it for a week. 20 mg is a high dose to start at, but it’s what the hospital gave me, so it’s what I’m taking. I’ll update my post as I get a little further down the road with this medication. But no voices as of late, but still have those delusions that I’m being watched and followed."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2020

"My son is diagnosed with schizophrenia in middle school. His first medication was Risperdal, which worked for a small amount of time, however, I think he outgrew it or the dosage weakened against the imbalance. It took some dramatic changes before they changed his medications. However, when given Abilify, which is what he is currently taking, I see vast and major improvement. It took a slow gradual change at first, however, now it is very noticeable that this Abilify is having a positive effect thus far on my son. Abilify allows him to think with a calm mind and little to no agitation at all. If this medication proves to be effective for a long period, I would assume he may, down the road, only need to adjust the dosage, not now, however. I would give it, from my personal experience as a mother with a son who is currently taking it, a definite 8 out of 10 thus far."

• Anonymous
• October 25, 2011

"I've been on a variety of medicines over the years, including Risperdal, Geodon, with Zyprexa, and now Abilify. Though I feel I'm overly medicated at 40 mg per day of Abilify, I've improved to the point where I don't hear voices or feel paranoid anymore and am active in the community. I take it at night and sleep around 9 to 10 hours per night. Not sure if that's normal with Abilify or not, but I'm not complaining. Surprisingly, there are no other side effects."

• Mik...
• December 1, 2020

"I have taken Abilify for 10 years for schizophrenia. It has been a wonder drug in some aspects because it keeps my schizophrenia at bay. Before I started taking it, I was losing my mind, thought “people” were after me, heard thoughts, and saw visions. Basically, I was not functional and couldn’t hold a job. All of this has gone away over the years, and now I am a functioning adult. It regulates my sleep and moods, too. The side effects are minimal but noticeable. I developed type 2 diabetes even though I maintain a regular exercise schedule and eat right. Also, I have no sex drive, and it kind of screws up all of your sexual functions. Also, beware of these medications and take them only if you have to have them. I developed something called tardive akathisia when I tried to stop taking Abilify. It is an absolutely horrible side effect caused by your brain trying to return to the way it originally worked, and it is truly awful. Look it up!"

• tes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 2, 2020

"I couldn't sleep on Abilify, and the anxiety was horrible. I wasn't able to go to work as I was terribly afraid of all the people. I developed a fear of acting out on this drug. It's been more than 6 months now that I've stopped this drug, and the fear is still very present but a bit reduced. I can go to work again, but I am still very much afraid of social interactions."

• nut...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 10, 2016

"If you want to sleep between 7-10 hours a day and want a good sex life, this is the medication for you. I have had no side effects, no shakes, tremors, or drowsiness. On Clopixol, I used to sleep up to 20 hours. The doctors will be reluctant to put you on it, as it is very expensive, but if you work or want to return to work or study, this is the medication for you."

• Aby...
• March 24, 2020

"Been on aripiprazole for a year and a half now. I cannot sleep, only getting about 3 hours a night, restlessness, and spending money. My lifestyle is completely different from before. It might not seem it, but I was aggressive and hearing voices. Also, the TV would interfere with my actions. Now, taking this medication, I feel somewhat better. Really, I don't get myself into so much trouble, like arguing and shouting, but now I am calm and confident and can laugh again."

• Mei...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 23, 2024

"I had my first case of auditory and visual hallucinations when I was 26 and wasn't sure what I was experiencing. It quickly went downhill from there when the hallucinations would interfere with my ability to sleep, creating a spiraling cycle for me. I was finally hospitalized and given Aristada Initio and Aristada Lauroxil in the hospital. I get one 882 mg injection monthly, it does taper in effectiveness after a two-week period. I then supplement during that two-week period with 10 mg of Abilify oral medicine daily. Abilify and Aristada gave me back my common sense and my pride and keep my schizophrenia symptoms at bay. I would not be stable without this medicine."