Saphris User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• May 1, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "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
• September 19, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "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 wean off some of these medicines since Saphris has been working well. I have tried Abilify and Seroquel and had bad reactions."

• Edw...
• July 20, 2013

For Schizophrenia "I'm 28 and was just diagnosed with schizophrenia about a month ago. I was given Saphris, this is my first antipsychotic medication, and it makes me immensely drowsy after 10 minutes. It slowed down the racing thoughts and negative ideas in my head in order to set aside my wants and needs and socially accept what is happening around me and what I need to do. The only downside so far is the intense drowsiness and that gnawing restless sleep feeling when I tried to go to sleep before my regular sleeping schedule. I can't remember falling asleep at all due to the tossing and turning. I do recommend taking it when you're 100% positive you're going to sleep and not a moment sooner. Woke up calm and well-rested. DAY 1."

• sou...
• November 26, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "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 hangover that risperidone was giving me at the dose I required. I started at 5 mg and am now at 20 mg at bedtime, and it's working great. Hope the best to all who are trying to get the right med combo!"

• Mid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2012

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Before taking Saphris, I had hallucinations, both aural and visual; zero motivation, interest, and energy; a very flat mood; and paranoid delusions. Saphris has kept the visual hallucinations away. I do not hear voices anymore. I have interest, motivation, and energy, my mood is no longer flat, and I have been feeling pretty good. It has not done anything for my delusion, but I have hope that it will eventually help. I have experienced no side effects. I am on 10 mg a day, 5 taken in the morning and 5 at night. I am not at 100%, but I am so much better than I was."

• Neg...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 10, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "This drug ruined my life. I started taking it when I was 9 years old until I was 17. I gained 30 pounds. It made me so tired to the point I couldn’t wake up in the morning. I would miss school and sleep till 2 PM. My parents tried to wake me, and I would start throwing up every day if I woke up before 12 in the afternoon or pass out. It was nearly impossible to wake up. Keep in mind-I went to bed at 8 PM daily. I missed out on a lot of my life and failed high school because I couldn’t wake up, which made me unable to go to college. I would wake up drenched in sweat. I would get extreme stomach problems. I got nightmares so bad I woke up screaming. It made me socially awkward, and I slurred my words on it and started to forget how to speak. I had to go to a speech therapist. My parents forced me to take it. I secretly stopped taking both at 17, although I feel it has changed my brain permanently, not for the better, and long-term health issues. My life became better as soon as I got off it and happier."

• Anonymous
• September 8, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "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 (the 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 first 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."

• ky1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed asenapine 5 mg 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."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "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 20 lbs. I find it hard to shed the weight."

• Dam...
• April 16, 2012

For Schizophrenia "I have been on several medications over my many years (36 years old now). I have been on medications for over 20 years off and on. I have been on Saphris for almost 3 weeks now, and I cannot tell you what a godsend this has been. My doc just added lithium to my regimen, and as he refers to it, it is like Batman and Robin. Batman works great but can sometimes use the help of Robin. The only thing is it can be cost prohibitive without insurance."

• Bip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Took Saphris for about 2 1/2 weeks for bipolar one mixed w/ psychotic features. First time taking it, hated black cherry taste, but after that, it didn't bother me anymore. First week was wonderful. High-flying mania delight. Cleaned my house like crazy. Mania wasn't 'too high' though. Was in a great mood, but no major shopping sprees. Week 2, I started backing down on the cleaning and happiness and started getting agitated mania. Moods were all over the place. Cried for an hour after a death in a TV show and felt like I was going to die of grief. Then it changed to anger and then depression. Moods were a little scary and rapidly changing. After that, it lessened in intensity, but I was still having depression, so I decided to come off and try another med. Also had bad heartburn and gained 5 lb in 2 weeks. May work for some but not me."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I have found Saphris to be very effective, especially for my bipolar depression. I felt happy for the first time in 4 months, and it's only 2 or 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 overall experience with this medication. All the best."

• hei...
• December 18, 2013

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I had a very sudden onset of post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and psychotic depression. What absolute hell I was going through for a good 18 months of doctors experimenting with different medicines on me. All the other antipsychotics had bad effects on me and made my depression worse. My last admission to the hospital was for my own safety and as a last-ditch effort when I was suicidal, my psychiatrist thought we'd try Saphris. Within 4 days, I noticed a complete change for the better. It helps me sleep, but I suspect it also takes away a bit of my drive to exercise, which I hate because I used to work in the fitness industry. I do take 2 other medicines, so it could be the combination. Generally, a positive experience with this medication."

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

For Bipolar Disorder "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 150 mg 3x a day, Klonopin 4x a day, and now Saphris 5 mg at night. I love it!"

• She...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 2, 2017

For Schizophrenia "I've been on this medicine for about 6-9 months, and it's a wonderful drug. No more paranoid thoughts or delusions. I'm on the max dose, which is 20 mg. It made me sleep for 12-14 hours a night at first, but not anymore."

• jcl...
• February 2, 2011

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This medicine is fantastic. I have been on almost all the medicines available for my disorder, and I was previously on Fanapt, which caused me to gain 15 pounds, and I think I might have gained a little with Saphris as it made me really hungry about half an hour after I took it for the first two weeks. But now that has tapered off, and I find myself having to remind myself to eat. The only thing I don't like about it is the taste, but I take it with a sweet tart (candy) on my tongue as it is dissolving under my tongue, and it's not too bad. I get a good night's sleep on it as well, and I don't feel the 'hangover' effect that most psychiatric medications can give you. I'm up and ready to go!"

• Anonymous
• May 18, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "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 than that, no other issues."

• Sam...
• November 24, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I was very hopeful when starting Saphris, but it didn't take long for my family and me to see this was NOT the medication for me. I asked doctors to take me off this, but I kept being told to give it more time. I would sleep over 12 hours a day, and if I could SOMEHOW manage to stay up with the use of coffee and energy drinks, I was a shell. I would sit there, confused, unable to really talk or take care of myself. I took it twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed, and rather than give me my life, it was robbing me of what little I had. It also didn't help with my delusions or paranoid thinking. I even still saw shadows and things of that nature from time to time."

• jin...
• January 19, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "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."

• Chi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 17, 2018

For Schizophrenia "After my whole life suffering with schizophrenia and being nonresponsive to antipsychotic drugs, Saphris (10 mg) put me into complete remission to the point that I no longer had ANY mental illness in any shape or form. And every year that passed, I become stronger and more alive than ever! But unfortunately, I get intense sugar cravings through the night after I take it that I can’t control, and I have to get out of bed and eat. This had resulted in unwanted weight gain, and I have a history of an eating disorder, so it’s important not to be overweight. The weight gain bothers me so much that I’m now trialing Rexulti to see if that can help with hunger."

• Bon...
• February 14, 2015

For Schizophrenia "I have been on first 5 mg, then 10 mg, now 20 mg of Saphris since 10-14. At first, I thought I'd found the Holy Grail of schizophrenia! All hallucinations just stopped! However, as time goes on, schizophrenia sticks its insidious little head out of the sand, and back I go into the hospital. Overall-compared to the other antipsychotics out there, pretty good stuff, man."

• Anonymous
• October 17, 2012

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "I have post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression. My doctor started me on Saphris almost a week ago, and as of this time, I'm getting more sleep than I have in years! I'm very happy with the performance of this medicine."

• Jam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 30, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I'm a 50-year-old man. I have been on Saphris for 5 years for schizophrenia after many years of Risperdal. The Saphris quiets the voices pretty well, and they come back quickly if I'm late with a dose. I still feel a little anxious, but the med really helps. I sleep heavily at night with lots of strange dreams and usually take a nap during the day, but I haven't had any weight gain."

• Jen...
• October 25, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I recently got my life back. I was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I have been on about every medicine for depression you can name over the last twenty years. None had any good results. A lot of them had severe bad side effects. I did not sleep well, cried all the time, was agitated, reclusive, and unmotivated. Bless my PNP for trying me on Saphris! I can honestly say for the first time, in a long time, that life is good."

• Dee...
• May 31, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Bipolar II with severe anxiety. Saphris 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 morning, 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 all if I take it in the morning. I had horrible mouth sores. Finally, I 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."