Aripiprazole and Irritability: What Users Say

• yes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2014

For Depression "I have suffered with depression since I was 12 years old. Knowing manic episodes would pass, I still kept thinking I absolutely couldn't live my life this way. I tried everything - Prozac, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Lexapro, and Seroquel. Finally, after going back and forth with antidepressants, we decided to try Strattera with clonazepam instead of an antidepressant. For 10 months, I did fine until a few weeks ago when I had the longest and one of the worst manic episodes yet. Bed-bound and showerless every weekend. My doctor decided to try the Abilify 2.5mg. The first 2 days I was VERY irritable. I couldn't sleep at all, slowly those side effects are going away. I cannot describe how great I feel now, sleep still interrupted but much better."

• 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."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2019

For Depression "I took a 2 mg dose of Abilify three days ago, and within hours regretted it. It is a horrible drug with horrendous side effects. I only took one pill, but due to its terribly long half-life of three days, I am still feeling nauseated, agitated, and have a stiff neck and sore joints. Yuck!"

• Jes...
• March 12, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Day one: TERRIBLE! Very tired, had to stay home from work. Day two: Getting better. Very tired in the morning but the day improved. Day three: Wonderful! I am not sure what 'normal' is, but if this is it, I am in heaven. Awake, focused, appropriate amount of energy, easygoing mood, less irritable, and lower anxiety (could be the Xanax on the last one). I am just beginning the medication, but typically meds have a quick effect on me and stick. I have not noticed any unusual appetite increases, but I am certainly going to keep an eye on it because I noticed a large percentage experience weight gain. As my fiancé says-mental health is more important than gaining a few pounds anyway."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2020

For Agitated State "Honestly, I feel horrible, even after 24 hours of taking Abilify, I am a mess. I can’t keep anything down, I feel sick. I feel like I should just run around to get rid of this horrible feeling. My ears are ringing. I can’t get rid of this weird muffled head feeling. It’s a nasty drug. I just cannot relax. I’m more panicky and agitated than usual."

• BP2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "This was one of the worst medications I’ve ever tried. I have bipolar II with rapid cycling, and this medication literally made me out of it. I could barely gather thoughts. I felt dumb as a rock and couldn’t focus. I also felt so agitated that it took all my energy to survive the day. It made me hungry but did nothing for depression or hypomania. My eyeballs felt like they were rolling around, and I could have just stared at a white wall. Stopping it was like a dream. I took it for a few months. Worst med ever. Totally net negative. Beware if you have my combo of bipolar."

• NeG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "My diagnosis was atypical depression (a type of MDD) and was prescribed Abilify paired with Lamictal. My Abilify dose was a 5mg pill per day. From day one that I took it, I became incredibly irritated. I felt agitated and restless almost immediately. I was so restless, like I was itching from inside my chest and soul, I don't know how to describe it. I couldn't eat, couldn't feel hungry, slept fewer hours, had insomnia, felt stressed, felt anxious, and constantly felt nauseous/stomach pain. The only benefit was that I had intense energy to get up and move, but it didn't feel nice. My motivation for getting up was because of how irritated I got when I lay down or rested. Working out would help but never enough to calm down my restlessness. Overall, I gave it a chance for 1 month (plus a few days of withdrawing it with the assistance of my psychiatrist), and it didn't get any better over time. Horrible experience."

• Kom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 3, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine has done so much for me. I've had horrible 'mood swings' for years, and they just kept getting worse. I would also cry myself to sleep every night for years and years. I always felt irritated and annoyed with everything. I would yell and scream, get hyper and crash into a pile on the floor, be suicidal one minute and happy the next. I was all over the place. This medicine has done so much for me."

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2019

For Depression "My psychiatrist put me on 1 mg of Abilify about two months ago, hoping it would augment the Paxil (paroxetine) I've been taking for 20+ years, and which is no longer effective. My mood almost immediately improved, but unfortunately, Abilify makes me feel restless, irritable, and fatigued, as well as slightly hypomanic."

• Dog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2022

For Depression "Dx BPD, MDD, GAD & C-PTSD. Other meds: Hydroxyzine, Lamictal, prazosin, and trazodone. This medication combo has been a lifesaver. After years of severe depression, the fog has lifted. No more mood swings related to borderline personality disorder. No more irritability/anger. My motivation has increased significantly as well. My apartment is clean for once in my life. I highly recommend this medication for depression and/or borderline personality disorder."

• 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."

• Dai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2019

For Schizophrenia "Successful on Abilify Maintena 300 mg for 5 years, except flat affect, anxiety, and inhibition. Switched to Aristada, hoping to help negative symptoms. First month thought it was a miracle drug... was able to smile, feel more emotion, go to the gym daily (on Abilify, I felt fear going alone). Started feeling agitated slowly, then psychosis started on/off, then full inpatient hospitalization for 2 weeks. Returning to Abilify. Why won’t NIMH reinvest in improved research? Find what was helping in Aristada and remove what wasn’t! I felt so close to feeling normal, but psychosis can take my life away!!!"

• 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."

• Nex...
• March 13, 2017

For Agitated State "Abilify made me extremely agitated about the smallest things that wouldn't normally anger me. The time I was on it, I am surprised I didn't end up in prison or a psych ward. One of the worst experiences of my life. They must have had a good ad campaign for this drug, because doctors seem to think it is the answer to everything. The fact is, the two trials done for the drug before it became the next coming of Jesus were done by the drug company that made it. Funny thing is, they didn't hide in their trial that it caused agitation in a little less than half of their patients, which raises the question of why these companies even bother doing trials. They should just sell sugar pills because it is clear that money was their only motivator."

• xfr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 18, 2022

For Depression "I will not have enough space to share all of the horrifying side effects. My resting heart rate went from 64 to 100 on day one. Stomach pain was intolerable. Constipation. Agitation. Brain fog. Hallucinations, constantly seeing bugs that weren't there. Exhaustion. 20 lb weight gain in 3 weeks. Intense food and cigarette cravings. Terrifying and vivid nightmares. Wanting to attempt suicide after 3 weeks on a very low dose, and the doctor told me to stop the meds. The most horrifying side effects I've ever had on a pill. Coming off the med after 3 weeks was a nightmare too."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2020

For Agitated State "I was recently prescribed Abilify (the generic) during COVID. I have PTSD, BPD, and depression, so with everything going on, it has made me insane. I had rage outbursts and would want to hit people, not to mention the stress and lockdown. Every time I left the house, there were signs and masks everywhere. Anyway, I needed a change. I tried Abilify, I'm on 5 mg now. I found it actually increased my appetite, I gained at least 10 lbs, which I'm not fond of, but I've been eating again. I find it has worked great as far as a mood stabilizer. I've only had 1 panic attack since being on it. The first few weeks, I was really agitated and paranoid, though. If I don't take it at the exact time every day, I feel sick. Overall, it does help with my mood and rage, so I'll stay on it. I don't like the always having to move, it's nice at work, but not if I ever want to relax."

• I...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 9, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I am on the 400 mg Abilify injection, and I am miserable! My pdoc is the worst. She does not listen to anything I have to say about the drug regarding side effects. I am having muscle spasms as I am typing right now. I also have dry mouth, constipation, depression, and agitation. I had this doctor with tunnel vision ten years ago, you think I would have learned my lesson, but I do have an appointment on the 18th with a new proc, thank God!!!! God help us all!!!"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2012

For Depression "Intake Effexor XR 375 mg and lorazepam for depression and anxiety. My doctor added Abilify, and I took it in the mornings. It made me foggy. I moved it to bedtime and sleep better overall. I have noticed an increase in irritability, which equates to feeling extremely angry by 3 pm daily. I've rearranged my lorazepam to reduce that but need more time. I'm also having restlessness, which almost feels manic. We shall see. Increased cravings for sweets."

• gra...
• July 29, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Abilify for one month. I had restlessness, a feeling that I needed to do something. It was a good thing in a way. At first, I was more irritable, but that subsided substantially after a few days. It made me feel a lot calmer and in control of my emotions without making me feel like I was suppressing them. This is the first pharmaceutical medicine I have tried to treat my condition, and it definitely worked better than the natural remedies such as St. John's Wort, sam-e, and passion flower. It even helped more than meditation. I have just switched to Latuda because Abilify gave me chest pains. If the pain was anywhere else, I would have definitely stayed on the medicine because it worked. It helped me gain 10 lb, which is good for me."

• Nut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2022

For Schizophrenia "I just got prescribed this yesterday, and I took it today thinking it would be a great drug compared to the Zyprexa I came off of a few months ago. BOY, was I wrong!!! This medication was GODAWFUL!! 20 minutes after I took it, I started feeling insanely tired, then that turned into extreme sleepiness and drowsiness. I became weak, I had severe akathisia, was insanely angry and irritable, I had hallucinations, vomiting, and diarrhea. I quit cold turkey. Most of the side effects wore off even though I took a nap, but I still feel tired, like I need to nap. Never again 0/10. I took this in 2012 when I was 13, but I don’t remember it being this awful. Terrible medication."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "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 medicine's provider keeps saying to wait or canceling appointments! I'm probably going to taper myself off if things don't get changed soon."

• Anonymous
• September 9, 2011

For Depression "I am on Lexapro but felt I needed a push mentally, like I was stuck. There was something not right. I was prescribed Abilify, and for the 2 weeks under the minimum dose, it was great. Then I felt slight agitation, aggressive, the worst was memory loss. I knew it was not sudden onset dementia, but stopped and weaned after 4 weeks. I feel better now without it. The everyday, over small stuff, memory loss stopped. I sure felt good the first 2 weeks."

• Anonymous
• September 27, 2012

For Agitated State "My teen is on the first week of Abilify, and Strattera will be added in another week for ADD. He had been on Focalin for ADD/ADHD, which we thought worked the best of all ADD meds we tried over many years. But what we didn't realize is that stimulant meds (like Focalin, Concerta) can cause paranoia, anxiety, and agitation, which came out in him-making his doctor think he had a secondary, more worrisome disorder. Every symptom went away after stopping the stimulant med for 2 months. I hope Abilify works as a balance for the Strattera. His doctor said no more stimulant meds for him, although they work the best."

• CAC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2021

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Was prescribed this by my Pdoc. Took my scheduled doses for two days, and the next thing I knew, I was in the hospital. Extreme heart rate and blood pressure through the roof. Made me extremely manic and irritable. It's been six years since I have taken it and still have some effects. Thought process has changed dramatically since the episode, and I lost the ability to think and problem-solve. I have lost most short-term memory as well as some long-term. My once-creative side before taking (musically, art) is now completely gone. Many tests later, doctors still cannot find what the problem is, no evidence of brain damage, but they do believe something was altered in my brain. Happy for anyone that can take this medication without side effects, but if you get prescribed, ask about these side effects. This has impacted my life drastically, and since then I cannot take any medications. I'll get extremely agitated taking pills and anxiety through the roof."