Asenapine and Bad Taste: What Users Say

• Gar...
• June 17, 2013

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "You have to be aware of the positives and negatives of any medicine you take. Even Tylenol. I have found that Saphris has worked pretty well despite a few side effects that I've learned to live with. My doc tried me on Latuda first because I was a bit concerned with taking something sublingually. I should have tried Saphris first. Latuda had me wanting to jump out of my skin and made me want to eat all of the time. I gained 50 pounds in the six months I was on Latuda and have lost all but 7 lbs on Saphris. I don't mind the numb tongue because it goes away. I am even used to the taste now. Overall Saphris gave me my life back."

• Cat...
• May 4, 2013

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Saphris 20 mg nightly for 2 months. I have bipolar rapid cycling with ADHD. This medication is the best. I fall asleep within 10-15 minutes. The horrible taste is a small price to pay. My mood is the most stable it's been in a long time. I'm happy about life, feeling very positive-a huge change for me!"

• cpa...
• April 27, 2013

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder almost five years ago and have tried just about every medication without success. I have recently started taking Saphris, and it is my miracle. My mood swings have gone, and I'm no longer angry or depressed. I have plenty of energy (minus the mania) and feel a complete sense of well-being. The dissolvable wafers have a very bitter taste, however, this is a very small price to pay considering how awesome I feel."

• Jes...
• September 13, 2017

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "After 15 years of trying different meds, this is the first one to give me a positive change. I used to be suicidal every day and had a hard time leaving the house. Everything was overwhelming. Since starting Saphris, my mind finally feels like it has 'brakes,' and my thoughts feel lighter. I'm feeling true happiness, even happy to wake up. Little to no side effects, 3 months in. I take it at night because it does make me sleepy. Sugar cravings I've noticed, but I'm trying to control that because honestly this med is giving me my life back. Cons: 20 minutes of a nasty taste in your mouth because you dissolve it under your tongue. Sugar/carb cravings, but no excess weight gain yet."

• Ton...
• March 31, 2012

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I am bipolar, and I was not on a mood stabilizer due to severe sensitivity to side effects. I take Klonopin 1 mg and Lamictal 150 mg twice a day. I was taking Ambien for sleep, but now with the Saphris, I don't need any sleep medicines, and I am so much more relaxed and not stressed out. I'm very happy that I've finally found something that is working. My mind has slowed down, deeper sleep modes, and less stress reactions to people. I feel great. Not manic great, just great. I'm thankful to my family for their support and standing by me in the rough times of the disease. My family is benefiting as well. I have to rate this as a 10. The taste is bad, but the cherry is helping. Much luck to all to try and see if it can help you too!"

• Anonymous
• May 1, 2012

Saphris (asenapine) 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

Saphris (asenapine) 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."

• jcl...
• February 2, 2011

Saphris (asenapine) 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
• October 1, 2010

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "Started taking this a few days ago. The comment about the bad taste-UNDERSTATEMENT, it tastes NASTY, but seems to be working well. I am currently on Seroquel 200 mg, temazepam 45 mg, and Xanax as needed. I am dropping down on the Seroquel until I'm completely off. Horrible weight gainer, but does help. Since starting this, I have not taken ANY Xanax, and I have energy during the day, and it seems to curb my hunger."

• zer...
• April 3, 2010

Saphris (asenapine) for Schizoaffective Disorder "Started on this medicine in the hospital. So far it has worked at least as well as Zyprexa. It does have a bitter taste to it, but I have gotten used to it. The only thing I can say is I have a little bit more anxiety on it than Zyprexa, but Ativan controls it pretty well, and I sleep very well on it."

• Geo...
• May 8, 2010

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "Doctor warned me it tasted bad. Understatement. HORRIBLE! Numbs my mouth but is tolerable. Noticed a huge difference the next day. Mood is great, but I slept for 12 hours after first taking it. I'm sure my body will get used to it and that will stop happening. I'm supposed to take it twice a day but can't unless I want to sleep 24 hours a day. I expect to take it twice daily once my body adjusts. No other side effects except taste and sleep. Didn't have to use Lunesta for the first time in months."

• Ld1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2021

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I was just reading reviews, and I can’t believe some people actually said they thought ALL the hundreds of great reviews were “fake.” My family is so happy I found this medicine. I suffer from bipolar II, major depression, and anxiety. I’ve tried so many things. Rexulti did great, but I gained about 20 lbs. I’m still trying to drop all that weight, so they had me try Saphris. I automatically go to sleep about 15 minutes after I take it. Tastes bad, but it’s so worth it. I went from NEVER wanting to leave my house, bathe, wear makeup, dress, shop, spend time with kids (or family), be with my husband, so many things I used to love, even clean my house, to now getting up every day, getting dressed, and finding something to do or a place to go! It’s a miracle drug. If it lasts is the thing. I’ve only been on it a few months. Crazy story, it started to work after 1 day."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2012

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I just found out I have bipolar and also maybe schizoeffective, not sure how you spell that. Anyway, my thinking process was horrible, and I took this medicine, and the FIRST day I noticed a huge difference. For the first time in a while, I felt like a normal person! It was amazing! Side effects I've had were numbness of tongue and bad taste (which aren't bad), but I do sometimes wake up in the middle of the night feeling like my legs are asleep or tingling. But that was the first night I took it and the first time I updosed my medicine. I hope that isn't a bad thing and it goes away because other than that, it's AWESOME!"

• Anonymous
• June 12, 2010

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I have only been on this medicine for 3 days. It tastes very bad. Use a Listerine strip if you don't like the taste. It is not that bad for me. I take it twice a day, but I have to drink a pot of coffee in the morning so as not to fall asleep. I feel better, not sure if it is the coffee or the medicine. I do sleep very well with it. Haven't had this much sleep in years."

• Zur...
• November 2, 2010

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Saphris for 6 months now. It tastes horrible, but it works to control my moods better than any other medicine I've tried. I have vivid dreams on Saphris and sometimes stiff muscles. I use Flexeril for that side effect. I have been improving greatly on this medicine. It also works quickly, I feel the effects soon after taking it. My dose is 10 mg twice a day."

• oce...
• September 6, 2011

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I am coming off Seroquel XR because of a 20-pound weight gain in 3 months. Now starting Saphris 5 mg, now on 10 mg, then going to 20 mg. I have tried all kinds of medicines to stop cycling and stop my depression. I never thought I would get out of the hole I was in until now. I have more energy, sleep great, and wake up wide awake, ready to go. Hate the taste. Do have more of an appetite, so since I'm eating, the weight should come off because before I was not eating at all. I pray this keeps working awesome."

• hop...
• April 20, 2012

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on 20 mg Saphris for 4 weeks, after taking 10 mg for three weeks. I wish I had the amazing results you people have had. I would love to have the happy feelings you speak of. After seven weeks, I still have a dazed feeling and difficulty processing information. I am waiting for my depression to lift. I take other mood stabilizers, including lithium. I'm afraid Saphris may be yet another failed attempt for me. The nasty taste and numb tongue are little bother for me, if it would just work."

• Kai...
• June 10, 2023

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I had a wonderful time on Saphris the last year and a half. It was my miracle drug after being on Ziprasidone, which was horrible! Saphris is a great drug. I felt normal on it and not all drugged up or zombie-like. I hated the taste, though. Also, it made me sleep 14 hours a night, so my doctor currently lowered my dose from 15 mg to 10 mg. The past two days, I’ve woken up earlier and feel less groggy in the morning. Hoping 10 mg is my sweet spot. Good luck to everyone on your journey, I pray this is the miracle drug for you too!"

• Anonymous
• February 4, 2011

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "Just started taking this today after a week of irritability and either wanting to sleep all day or not sleeping at all. Horrible taste, but I like the idea of a sweet tart with it. As soon as I took it, my tongue went numb and I felt very loopy as well. I fell asleep within an hour but only slept about two hours, and I feel better already. I have tried a lot of medicines myself and am hoping that this is the one. The only thing I am worried about is weight gain, but I am going to cross my fingers that with a healthy diet and hopefully some energy (I haven't felt like doing anything at all), I will be able to control it. Will definitely update in a week or two to advise on how things are going."

• Anonymous
• December 7, 2011

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Saphris for 6 months. I have had great results from it. I take Lamotrigine with it. The only downfall is bad taste, and I have gained 40 pounds on it! I'm trying to weigh my pros and cons. Other than weight gain, great medication."

• Raz...
• November 19, 2010

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I have just started taking this medicine. I just took my third dose about 30 minutes ago. The first night taking the medicine was difficult. Bad taste-definitely. My legs were fidgety and I tossed and turned for about 4 hours (very unusual for me, I normally sleep like a rock). I could hardly get out of bed for more than 10 minutes the first day. Dizziness was very bad. I took the second dose about 16 hours after the first dose (4 PM on day 2). The second day has been a bit better. I was able to get on the exercise bike for a few minutes even. This is my third day. I took the third dose at 8:30 AM. I am working up to taking 5 mg every 12 hours, but am not there yet. I have a follow-up with the doctor in a couple of days."

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2022

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Saphris for about a month (5 mg twice a day) and a half now, and I'd say it's going well. I always have issues remembering to take it, but I'm getting better with it. I have bipolar disorder (freshly re-diagnosed!) and psychosis, and I've realized my manic and depressive episodes aren't as bad, and I'm not as paranoid, and I can think way clearer. Only downsides I've noticed are I'm a bit hungrier, but not as hungry as I have been on other antipsychotics. It makes me pretty tired, but if I sleep it off, I feel well-rested when I wake up. My mouth gets a little numb after, but that goes away after 15-30 minutes. Also, it tastes pretty bad, but you get used to it. Other than that, zero complaints!"

• Mik...
• August 30, 2011

Saphris (asenapine) for Bipolar Disorder "This is only the 2nd day I have been taking Saphris 10 mg. I will say that this is the worst taste I have ever tasted in my entire life. This is only the 2nd day on it, but I can tell you I had the best sleep I ever had, and I am also on Ambien. Also, I didn't get into a verbal fight with my wife, so that was a plus. I read something that someone else posted up top. They said, 'To take it with a sweet tart to get rid of the nasty flavor.' I did, and it totally worked."

• Att...
• August 9, 2010

Saphris (asenapine) "I have been on this medicine for almost 2 months now. It has helped a little with anxiety but not as much as Clonazepam. I am now on 15 mg of Saphris, 5 mg in the morning and 10 mg at night. It messes with my sleep, with agitation to the point where sometimes it hurts. It is also very expensive for someone without insurance of some kind. Also, a trick I used for the horrible taste is Crystal Light powder by sprinkling it on my tongue when I take the medicine."

• tay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 20, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "Definitely does the job. I started it for my bipolar disorder, and my mood is much more stable, and I finally feel like myself again. I was also having sleeping trouble, so taking this at night has been helping me sleep, as it can make you very drowsy. The only negative thing is the absolutely horrible taste. Some nights, I find myself not wanting to take it because when it dissolves under your tongue, it leaves a rancid, sour taste, and it makes your mouth numb for like 15 minutes. Really wish they could do something about that."