Rexulti and Anxiety: What Users Say

• Ala...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was severely depressed for several months. My doctor tried everything that I could tolerate. I am on Trintellix & Klonopin. I started on the sample pack up to 1 mg. I snapped out of the hard depression within 10 days. I felt super. I talked to my doctor in to an increase to 2 mg. I was irritable and nervous. I went back to 1 mg. and was back to my happy self. I would highly recommend Rexulti to anyone with hard-to-treat depression. This medication gets a full 10."

• Gra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 13, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "Update from my last post on July 5, 2018. Things are still going well but I have now gained 30 pounds within the past year of being on Rexulti. It has almost spiraled me back into a depression gaining so much weight, as body image was something that made me anxious and depressed already. Just wanted to give an update because I hadn't seen anyone else mention the weight gain."

• Sba...
• April 24, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was given Rexulti as an adjunct, and it pulled me out of a dark hole pretty quickly (about 3 days). A dose of 1 mg worked for about 6 months, after a relapse, I went up to 2 mg, then 3 mg—anxiety off the charts. I found the dosage of 1 mg plus 0.5 mg (two prescriptions—cutting the higher dosages didn’t change the med on a molecular level) to be most effective. It was great for a long time. It was also so much better than Abilify (Abilify gave me horrible nightmares). Fast forward to 1.5 years later—I gained over 60 lbs (can’t lose anything either, even eating healthy foods—hunger unmanageable). So the weight gain is just as bad as Abilify. I am 2 weeks into tapering from 1.5 to 1 mg and have severe insomnia, body aches, joint pain, general sadness, lack of patience, and interest in usual activities. My doctor won’t do a faster tapering. I want this med out of my body ASAP. I’m done. Great short-term solution for depression, but crappy for the long term. Get the manufacturer coupon."

• Cut...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2018

For Depression "I think I have finally found what works for me! It took a lot of trial and error. I am currently on Pristiq (the generic kind) 100 mg, Rexulti 1 mg, and Vyvanse 75 mg every day. I take the Vyvanse and half a mg of Rexulti in the morning and Pristiq and another half a mg of Rexulti at night. The 1 mg Rexulti all at once gave me anxiety by the end of the day. Now I have back my passion, my drive, and excitement for life! I have anxiety, depression, and ADD, but these medications balance out everything correctly."

• Rob...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 3, 2024

For Depression "I started taking Rexulti about 2 years ago. I was in the middle of a total mental breakdown. I've struggled with anxiety since I was 12 and been medicated since 13. But for some reason, in 2020, at age 21, I became inconsolable and unstable. I was in the ER twice in one week for panic attacks that got so severe I thought I'd die. I was miserable, my body felt like it was shutting down, but every test was normal. I was ready to give up. All the medicines I tried failed - clonazepam, aripiprazole, everything. Then my psychiatrist found Rexulti. Within a matter of days, I was cured. I felt great. I felt alive. I felt even better than I did before the breakdown. And ever since, I've been doing amazing. I love life again and am safe and happy. I only take 0.5 mg a day, in addition to my venlafaxine 225 mg. My psychiatrist thinks this works as an additive to the venlafaxine and bolsters the effects. Whatever it is, I'm so thankful for what this treatment has done for me. It saved my life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've just started the starter pack of Rexulti. I am on day 3. It is replacing Abilify in my meds. I feel a lift in the depression, however, I am experiencing some agitation and anxiety. I'm hoping this improves. It is affecting my dreaming, they aren't nightmares, just very vivid and strange. I am hopeful for this medicine if we can just get the agitation to cease."

• Kia...
• November 15, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was put on half a mg for a week, then titrated to 1 mg. Everything was cool until about the 3rd or 4th week I started feeling overwhelmed and ridiculously tired to where I couldn't keep my eyes open. Then it progressed to full-blown anxiety in my POV. I never thought it could be Rexulti until I finally saw my doc, who took me off straight away after seeing how anxious I was. I can hardly deal with my son or life. He sadly has to calm himself as noise and lots of energy around me exacerbate my anxiety. I've been completely off for a day, but I'm wondering how long it will be before I'm not anxious. I hope not the 2-4 weeks my doc said. I can't keep living with all this anxiety and tiredness and wanting to cry all the time."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I took this medication for a couple of months in high school, and it didn't help with my depression at all, and it caused me to gain serious weight. In four weeks, I had gained two inches around my waist, which likely equated to about 15 to 20 lbs. My eating habits did not change, nor did my appetite at all. This medication caused me serious stress and was not worthwhile for me."

• Ano...
• June 4, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "My doctor gave me a starter pack of Rexulti in lieu of my antidepressant (Viibryd). I am diagnosed with depression, bipolar, and anxiety. I was only on this for two days. The first day I was out of it, not clear-headed, out of body experience, I was speaking slow, slurring, forgetful, anxious. That night I was up all night, couldn’t sleep. Racing thoughts. Restless. The next day my mind felt foggy. That night I was out of body experience that I felt I was in a black hole. I had a panic attack, paranoia, hallucinations, racing heart. Never going on this again."

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "If I could give this medication a 0, I would. My psychiatrist prescribed me a low dosage of Rexulti to help boost my 'regular' antidepressant. After beginning this medication, I felt paralyzed from my body to my increase in anxiety. I had no control of my motor skills, which was dangerous because while driving, my foot would tremor/bounce off of the gas and brake pedals. I couldn't move my hands or grasp things properly, and it absolutely terrified me after reviewing the side effects because motor movements were one of them, and it stated it might not be able to be reversed. I immediately ceased this medication, the craziness stopped, and I would never go near it again."

• MAK...
• December 9, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "This is an intense drug. At first, it seemed to be working, I wasn’t prepared for the side effects. My depression seemed better. I had just moved when I first started it. Keep in mind, every medication works differently for people. I didn’t think to check the side effects until I had to, but I just wasn’t acting like me. The medication had enhanced my anxiety tenfold. The depersonalization and the intrusive thoughts had me to where it was all I could do to recollect myself. I had just moved, so I didn't have a regular doctor. The last few weeks I was on this medication were tough. I managed to get into a better place and now know a few reasons why I am strong. I wouldn’t recommend this medication to myself again. This medicine seems to have helped some people, and that’s great, depending on why you take it. Be careful, if you interact badly with it, be aware of your situation, be aware of the side effects, be aware of who you are in your heart, and be aware that therapy is a lot easier."

• Sur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "It started out pretty well. I was feeling great. I had an appetite. Within a few days, I felt my manic depression even out. Then, a few days later, I started not being able to sit still or concentrate. Three weeks later, I landed myself in a triage appointment at my doctor's because I was having so much anxiety I was sick and couldn’t see straight. The doc said I had an adverse reaction - akathisia, where you can’t sit still and you’re shaking constantly. This was abnormal because I already do that, but it was way worse. Now I’m on all sorts of meds to get me to calm back down until I can get into therapy. I would not recommend this to a person with anxiety."

• Pud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2022

For Depression "I am a 60-year-old female. I have been on Prozac for OCD at 60 mg for over 20 years. The last 2 1/2 years, I’ve been filled with anxiety and dread. I was taking an Ativan nearly every day just to get rid of the pit in my stomach that I would wake up with. I would struggle all day to try to keep the anxiety away. To help me deal with some of the anxiousness, I was started on .25 mg of Rexulti to give my Prozac some help. After about four days, I didn’t need Ativan anymore. So far, so good, two weeks in, and I am pleasantly surprised. It is easy to get up in the morning. I usually have a couple of projects going during the day and even went for a walk today. I was spending a lot of time in the recliner watching television, feeling like I didn’t have any motivation. I was scared to take this medication, with all the side effects listed. Glad I got over that. I feel like my old self! OCD is not cured, of course, but anxiety and depression are a lot better!"

• Pud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2022

For Depression "I am a 60-year-old female. I have been on Prozac for OCD at 60 mg for over 20 years. The last 2 1/2 years, I’ve been filled with anxiety and dread. I was taking an Ativan nearly every day just to get rid of the pit in my stomach that I would wake up with. I would struggle all day to try to keep the anxiety away. To help me deal with some of the anxiousness, I was started on .25 mg of Rexulti to give my Prozac some help. After about four days, I didn’t need Ativan anymore. So far, so good, two weeks in, and I am pleasantly surprised. It is easy to get up in the morning. I usually have a couple of projects going during the day and even went for a walk today. I was spending a lot of time in the recliner watching television, feeling like I didn’t have any motivation. I was scared to take this medication, with all the side effects listed. Glad I got over that. I feel like my old self! OCD is not cured, of course, but anxiety and depression are a lot better!"

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 22, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "Rexulti has been a nightmare for me. I was prescribed 1 mg as an add-on to paroxetine 40 mg for drug-resistant depression, and I was so hoping it would work. The first few days were okay, but then I began to have side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, a stiff neck, and a horrendous feeling of inner tension akin to anxiety without the thoughts. Two weeks in, I decided the side effects were too overwhelming, and I stopped taking it. Unfortunately, Rexulti has a half-life of 4 days! So even though I have been off it for 8 days, the side effects continue. I hasten to add I am one of these individuals who tend to experience side effects, so it may be different for you. For me, Rexulti has been horrendous."

• Kut...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2016

For Schizophrenia "This was a game-changing medication for me. I was diagnosed schizoaffective, later changed to bipolar 1. I was a zombie from the medication combination I used to be on, Zyprexa and Depakote. Changing the Zyprexa to Rexulti gave me my life back. At first, it gave me side effects of dizziness and anxiety, but after stopping and trying again, it's given me energy, concentration, and the mood swings and psychosis stopped. I'm very happy with this medication. I just upped the dosage from 2 mg to 3 mg after being on it for a year and a half."

• sin...
• January 13, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started this medication 5 days ago. I get so hot, burning hot and very sweaty. My anxiety level has increased, bringing me to the ER twice in one week. My appetite has increased. However, I am a lot happier, everything is so clear, everyone notices the difference in me. I have become confident again, the first time in 15 years... I hate to discontinue....."

• For...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2020

For Depression "Was on 0.5 mg Rexulti for 3 months as an add-on to Mirtazapine for depression. It massively increased my anxiety and caused tremendous restlessness - I couldn’t sit still or concentrate. Have tapered off over a 30-day period and am finally feeling calmer. This medication was just released in the past few years, I feel like it hadn’t been evaluated sufficiently prior."

• McL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2020

For Depression "Absolutely horrible experience. My psychiatrist gave me a free two-week sample of 0.5 mg Rexulti pills. Since I began taking them, I have been EXTREMELY irritable, stressed, and unable to calm down. I’m throwing the rest of them in the trash, hopefully, these symptoms will go away soon."

• Har...
• April 27, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on Rexulti for a little over 2 months. I started on 0.5 mg the first week and moved up to 1.0 mg the second week. I am taking it as an add-on to my Lexapro 40 mg for MDD. My depression was almost immediately better, but by the second week, my anxiety was HORRIBLE!! I began getting sores in my mouth from the constant movement of my tongue. It's uncontrollable, as is the eye blinking. I stay tired from my body being tense 24/7. My Dr. took my dosage down to 0.5 mg and increased my Ativan, but I'm still not doing any better. I'm fixing to stop it completely. I pray that the issues with my tongue and eyes will go away once I stop taking it."

• Wil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 5, 2020

"I started Rexulti for panic problems, and the first 2 weeks were great. Felt amazing. Like a switch went off and was in the clear. Then developed inner hostility, rage, and irritability by week 3. Triggered a hypomanic episode, and I don’t have any mood disorder. Just severe anxiety. My cholesterol doubled, my BP, which was normal, required medication, and I needed a statin. Gained 20 lbs in 1 month. Off for 3 days, and all the negative feelings are gone. I really thought this was the winner. Through it all, no anxiety. No panic. But it made me so stressed and frustrated I had to stop it."

• Mel...
• September 5, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "This drug has been a major miracle drug for my 18-year-old son with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). He had been experiencing what I believe was a major depressive disorder for over 3 years. He stopped doing the things he once loved, he was angry, oppositional, anxious, OCD, and stopped eating-he went from 169 lbs to 108 lbs. I believe he wanted to die. We treated his autoimmune disorder with something called intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and started on 0.5 mg of Rexulti about 4 months ago. Every one of his symptoms is almost completely gone. I attribute a lot of the improvements to this drug. He is doing all of the things he once loved and more. Simply amazing!!"

• Min...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "Have been on Lexapro 15 mg and Rexulti 1 mg. Depression's gone, but after being on this for one month, anxiety is much worse. Also, I gained 10 pounds and am always tired. Two weeks ago, I started having full-body tremors where I lose consciousness. Was tested by a neurologist who believes this was caused by anxiety. Now my doctor increased both meds. Terrified of increased anxiety and having more seizure-type episodes."

• Spa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 25, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on Rexulti for about 2-3 months after taking Abilify for about 10 years, which I had to quit for various reasons. Rexulti is great for my depression; I've had zero anxiety, and it's really the only drug out there that works for me at this point. I didn't give it the full 10 points for two reasons. The first reason is I get really hot when I go outside in moderate, 70-degree temperatures. I can't handle hardly any heat! Second, while 2 mg works great now, getting up to that dose is hard! I was sleep-deprived for the first month on 1/2 mg, and until I got up to my current dose, I didn't sleep very well. One other thing, this medication does better for me without Topamax! Apparently, Topamax can minimize the effects of Rexulti!"

• Fra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "The beginning was amazing, the darkness of suicidal thoughts disappeared initially, but then I found myself shooting from 160 to 215 pounds, among other problems such as heightened anxiety, diminished sleep, blurry vision, red random bumps on my body and face, and other issues. I didn’t want to recognize that it simply stopped working for me."