Asenapine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 4)

• Roo...
• August 24, 2010

Saphris (asenapine) "I have Bipolar with depression, mood swings, panic attacks, racing thoughts, voices and suicidal tendencies thrown in with seizures. On top of all that I cannot sleep. I've tried just about all the medication out there for Bipolar but after a time they stop working. Saphris 10 MG, has worked miracles for me. All those symptoms are now gone with this fast acting pill. You can stop a panic attack within a minute or two. The down side is weight gain, it is a very bad side effect. Recently I had two packages that I had to take to the pharmacy because they just would not open. They had to break the finger tab and unlock the clip beneath it. Bad design but otherwise very happy with this medicine."

• Noone
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 18, 2017

Saphris (asenapine) "Saphris changed my life - but not until I went to 10 mg. I was finally "normal" - completely taking care of myself, my house, my business affairs .... I even realized I had hoarding tendencies and was able to rid my life of all the clutter. Then the wheels came off : Tardive dyskenisia. I can't think of a more humiliating side effect, and it started a year before I finally got a second opinion and was diagnosed. TD worsened when I stopped taking saphris, and unfortunately for me, all my "old" habits are back. It was so nice to be normal for the time it lasted -- but TD is horrific, and a truly unfortunate side effect."

• Rey
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2013

Saphris (asenapine) "Saphris is the best. 10/10. For those of you who had bad experience starting out, I suggest trying it out again from a low dose. The key is to get the medicine in your system until it builds up in a few week. When all else failed Saphris was the one that had saved my life and improved it like it has reversed the chemical imbalances associated with my bipolar. My mind and sense of attention has been brought back from the severe depressed and mixed episode. And severe agitation. When I first started Saphris with 5mg it too gave me severe akathesia (restlessness). Thank fully after finding out that my other medication mirtazapine (Remeron) reduced restlessness. I can now sleep well after taking the Saphris with the Remeron without any insomnia."

• ky134...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2019

Saphris (asenapine) "I was prescribed asenapine 5mg 2x/day. Was assured by my psychiatrist that it would only make me mildly drowsy. The very first dose hit me hard. Within 40 minutes I was nodding off while trying to talk to people. I slept for ten hours after that. Side note, medications don't typically affect me like that! This made me scared to keep taking it at all, but my psychiatrist said I could just take it at night and see how it went. Over the course of a month, I began feeling extremely agitated (like a mixed episode but worse) and it put me in a dark place. Looking back, I'm honestly surprised that I didn't attempt suicide, that's how bad things got. I'm glad to see that this works for so many, but it's 100% a no from me. For those worried about the taste, it isn't good, but I got used to it after the first dose. It does make your tongue numb, which lasted about an hour for me, but I think it's definitely something you can get used to. I'm quite sensitive to taste and have a sensitive gag reflex, but that aspect was tolerable."

• HSog
• May 31, 2016

Saphris (asenapine) "Bad drug I wonder If all the good reviews on the internet was written by the Company behind it ...first i took 5mg X2 The morning dose made me sleepy at the point that I can't stay awake for 5 minutes...Now I take 10mg at night It makes me sleep for 12 hours (Can't wake up) & gave me Flat affect- totally impaired Thinking- Loss Of hope in life - Suicidal thoughts -Problems in tongue & Talking ( bec. Its sublingual) ...Horrible Drug & Don't Believe All the good reviews you read !"

• Anonymous
• May 1, 2012

Saphris (asenapine) "I was diagnosed with a mood disorder about 5 months ago. I tried Abilify and gained 10 pounds in a week and tried Lamictal but I kept getting the rash on my face, so finally my doctor put me on Saphris. It made a world of difference. It's been 2 months now and I'm no longer on any antidepressants and I have been without any depressed episodes since a week after I started it. I had to start taking 20 mg at night because it made me so tired in the morning. I'm still on Klonopin because I have really bad restlessness still, but I'm slowly phasing that out with lifestyle changes. The bad taste gets better with time and the side effects are greatly outweighed by the benefits. I have and would recommend it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 22, 2013

Saphris (asenapine) "Saphris has slowed my thoughts down a lot! I have the black cherry flavor. I do feel suicidal, but I felt that way before the meds. The only problem I have is the weight gain. I've been on Saphris for almost 2 months and have gained 20lbs. I find it hard to shed the weight."

• Pratt
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 1, 2016

Saphris (asenapine) "I'm currently on Saphris, I just starting working for the first time in 3 years. Ive been on Saphris about 10 months. 2 days ago I woke up and had white canker sores in my mouth, tingling lips. This drug is so great, can take it and wake up 6 hours later and not feel tired all day."

• Anonymous
• January 24, 2011

Saphris (asenapine) "Saphris seems to really calm my manic symptoms. Especially the racing thoughts and restlessness. My doctor gave samples of the new Black Cherry Saphris and the taste is 1000 times better! It's almost pleasant tasting. And to top it all, I've only gained 3 pounds the 6 months I've been on it."

• soulg...
• November 26, 2015

Saphris (asenapine) "I was diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder a month ago, previously Bipolar 1 with mixed episodes. Saphris changed my life for the better in so many ways. It helped cut down the agitation and anger associated with the mixed episodes almost right away. The paranoia still bites me every once in a while but it has been majorly decreased as well as the hallucinations and delusions that were plaguing me continuously. I sleep so well and don't have the medication hang over that risperidone was giving me at the dose I required. I started at 5mg and am now at 20mg at bedtime and it's working great. Hope the best to all who are trying to get the right med combo!"

• MistyC
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2016

Saphris (asenapine) "I have found Saphris to be very effective, especially for my bipolar depression. I felt happy for the first time in 4 months and its only 2/3 days to work! I was taking lithium and lamotrigine, but the lamotrigine didn't bring my mood up and the lithium didn't either. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty down. Saphris made me feel clear thinking, motivated and reduced my anxiety. And it has only been a week and a day since starting it. I am very pleased. I still have a ways to go in terms of my over all experience with this medication. All the best."

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2010

Saphris (asenapine) "I have to say this is a great medicine for people to try especially if those having difficulty sleeping. I had mania and my highs and lows have become stable. I have been taking this for about a month and noticed a difference the next day. It does have an awful taste but it is worth the benefits. My cocktail currently for Bipolar 1 is Effexor XR, Depakote, Lamictal, and Saphris. I plan to ween off some of these medicines since Saphris has been working well. I have tried Abilify and Seroquel and had bad reactions."

• Jisduit
• October 6, 2016

Saphris (asenapine) "I am the mother of an adult son that has been taking this medicine for over 2 years. It has done wonders !!! He has remained stable on this medicine. He takes 2 10 mg doses at night with trazadone, lamictle, welbutrin and valium. Right after taking his meds he does get the munchies and right after he is asleep - He functions very well during the day - is attending college full time going for his bachlors - Because he has done so well he was determined no longer disabled and lost his health insurance - the cost of this out of pocket her in VA is 1300.00. He has applied for the assistance program and we are hoping - he doctor did give him samples and he is good for at least 2 months - if not maybe I will check into a Canadian pharmacy"

• Erica...
• March 1, 2017

Saphris (asenapine) "ABSOULTELY AWFUL!!!! I was given this for depression and it made everything so much worse! I only took it for 4 days and days 3-4 were so bad I was concerned. Day 3 I was manic and skipped a midterm, completely unable to control my emotions in any form. Day 4 I awoke confused and disoriented. As the day progressed I was manic, had numb hands, couldn't articulate well, had cognitive impairments, and stiff muscles. It was a LIVING NIGHTMARE. I am also an alcoholic and two years sober so feeling anything besides normal was such a detriment to the drug I don't care if I would have gotten over those symptoms - this drug is pure poison."

• Deep...
• May 31, 2016

Saphris (asenapine) "Bipolar II with severe anxiety. Saphris is doesn't work for most people but for the ones it does work for, it can be a life changing miracle drug. That's been my experience. I spent 10 years either so depressed or anxious that I could barely get out of bed. I took my first dose at bedtime and when I woke up the next mrning the anxiety was gone. It gave me my life back. I take the whole daily dose at night. It knocks me out cold for at least 3 hours and I can't function at alI if take it in the morning. I had horrible mouth sores.Finally figured out that it was from the dry mouth caused by my other meds. Now I take a sip of water first and after it dissolves, I suck on a caramel or a couple of pieces of candy. "

• Ozrach
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 5, 2016

Saphris (asenapine) "I started taking this at 5mg for bipolar disorder. Firstly, the wafer I had to put under my tongue was horrendous! The taste can only be described as the taste of poison. It made my tongue numb. It made me extremely drowsy but it was hard to sleep because I had almost a painful restlessness in my legs so felt I couldn't stop moving yet I was so tired. It was a very uncomfortable feeling. This drug, an anti-psychotic MADE me psychotic. It dramatically changed my personally from the moment I took it. I became aggressive and angry at everyone. If I'd had a higher dose, i think I could have become homicidal. This was a terrible drug for me so I didn't last on it long at all, it was just too dangerous for me."

• P J A
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2016

Saphris (asenapine) "I've been actively seeking a remedy for my 'weirdness' for 40 years. I've tried counselling, antidepressants, and bipolar meds. While all of these have helped, none of them could do what I really needed for them to do to reach my ultimate goal; To fit in with society. I went to a shrink for GAD, and was prescribed Saphris. The effects were virtually immediate. The list of improvements in my life is 26 items and counting. The drug is over $200/month in the states WITH good insurance. I found online pharmacies in Canada that sell it for $90 for a 3-month supply. It is shipped from India, which scares lots of folks because of their legendary lack of gov't regulations. I'm not made of money, so, to me, the risk is worth it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 25, 2012

Saphris (asenapine) "I responded well to this medicine but I gained 50 pounds and was tortured by unending hunger. Eventually I had to get off of it and that wasn't easy. It took about a month to get over the withdrawal symptoms."

• 831
• November 30, 2016

Saphris (asenapine) "I have been taking this med for years and I feel trapped. I don't think it really does anything for me. The problem is that I tried to stop taking it and I became completely useless, tired, irritable, and full of anxiety. Right now I have not taken it for two days because I forgot it before I went out of town. I am tired, got insomnia and I feel like I am hung over and nauseous. The withdrawals from taking this medication is awful. So I think anyone that wants to start this med should seriously consider this when making a decision to ingest this. I am not the only one who has experienced this. There is a lot about withdrawing from this med on the net."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2011

Saphris (asenapine) "I have tried everything under the sun for depression and anxiety over the past 15 years. Saphris is an amazing medicine. I take the black cherry flavor, which does NOT taste horrible, but is good (other flavor does taste horrible though) and I feel like my depression has been majorly lifted, my manic episodes and irritability have decreased greatly, and I am doing things in life that are productive for the 1st time in years and years. I must say I must also take Lamictal though, as without that the mania goes out of control even with Saphris. But together, excellent combination."

• jingl...
• January 19, 2012

Saphris (asenapine) "Miracle. I have felt so good after 15 years. I'm finally like I used to be, happy and strong and ambitious. I'm 52 and I'm going back to school, yay for me. I highly recommend this for bipolar disorder. It started working the next day and I sleep great."

• ABC
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2012

Saphris (asenapine) "I was very hesitant to start taking this medicine. I have tried so many different kinds before and they had done more damage than good. I read a lot of the reviews on here and after serious thought I decided to try it. I'm so very happy I did. I'm about two weeks in and I believe I have found the correct mix. I'm so happy, and excited! It's almost hard to believe. If anyone is on the fence about this I would recommend taking it. If you trust your psych doc, I would assume you do then go for it. I was told you can tell the next day if you should stop taking it. I have Bipolar 1 disorder and I also take Wellbutrin XL 150mg 3 x a day. Klonopin 4 x a day and now Saphris 5 mg at night. I love it!"

• Anonymous
• May 18, 2012

Saphris (asenapine) "I recently wrote when I was 2 weeks in, now I'm going on week 4. I'm still feeling pretty well. I seem to be able to get a lot accomplished now, I did before but was always overwhelmed with it. I'm no longer overwhelmed. The worst side effect of this medicine, in my opinion, is being sleepy. It knocks me out within a few minutes of taking it. Other that that no other issues."

• Seanie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2015

Saphris (asenapine) "I have been taking Seroquel for 7 years and was initially happy with the effects, but the medication hasn't been working as well lately and I have gained 40kgs in those 7 years. So I was put on Saphris 3 weeks ago. The benefits have been amazing, with increased energy, memory and positive thoughts. Unfortunately, I had a severe allergic reaction to Saphris a few days ago and I've had to stop taking it. I hope to find something just as good. I suppose the good news is that now I know that there are other Atypical Antipsychotics that could help me."

• mae
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2018

Saphris (asenapine) "I don't currently take this prescription anymore because in the US it is expensive, when I was prescribed for panic attacks and anxiety at a low point in my life oh my god it helped so much, I felt so normal- not strung and feeling doomish, I had clarity mentally and emotionally (with bouts of panic attacks from heavy personal experience, for that I had clonazepam), I was in a good mood and living my own life on saphris, it felt like I had a sudden choice in feeling anxious or upset and I would mentally clear up my anxiety in seconds myself, and no more introspectiveness, the downside: I had anxiety sleeping and rapid crazy nightmares and waking up was a blur the first hour of waking.. I remember this helped a lot and I believe for bipolar (why I took it) it has a positive effect so much, but sleep is harsh on it and it was expensive"