Rexulti and Increased Appetite: What Users Say

• Mad...
• February 28, 2020

For Depression "I am a 22-year-old female and have been diagnosed with MDD and anxiety. I was prescribed 0.5 mg Rexulti as an add-on to my 20 mg Prozac to alleviate lingering symptoms of depression, lack of motivation/energy, and anxiety. I felt relief from said symptoms the morning after the 3rd dose! Now, I'm excited to wake up in the morning and just live life. I have the perfect balance of happy energy and calmness that makes going to school, doing daily life things, hygiene and self-care tasks, and social activities enjoyable and fulfilling. My social anxiety is gone, I am bubbly and eager to engage with others, I am excited and motivated to do school work, and I quit having negative/self-betraying thoughts and behaviors. The only side effect experienced was an increased appetite for the first week of the medication, but that symptom subsided within a week. I know there are plenty of negative reviews on here, but I HIGHLY recommend giving it a try. I feel like I have my life/personality back."

• kri...
• May 17, 2019

For Depression "I am an 18-year-old girl and I have a hell of a story. I was put on Zoloft for a long time - maybe 3 years, so I started when I was 15 years old, which was when I was diagnosed with depression. Three years went by and I started getting worse and worse. They misdiagnosed me - I really had bipolar disorder so they then took me off the Zoloft cold turkey. Then they put me on Latuda and Lamictal. Latuda made me throw up 30 minutes after taking it, plus it didn't work. The Lamictal did help my mood though, so they took me off Latuda. I felt so hopeless. That was until about a month and a half ago when I was put on Rexulti and within a day of taking it, I felt so much better. No joke, this Rexulti is a miracle drug, everything has been so much better. It helps me feel balanced and I don't have severe episodes. It really calmed me down and made me happier. My only complaint is that I had a big appetite within the first two days of taking it. To those searching for a prescription that works - PLEASE at least TRY Rexulti."

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2016

For Depression "I am on my 3rd week of Rexulti. My doctor gave it to me for major anxiety and depression. My depression is gone, and my anxiety is 80% better. My PMDD is even better, I no longer walk around under this dark cloud not wanting to live. I can't take SSRIs. Every med I have been given didn't work or made me suicidal or gave me every side effect in the book. I was scared at first trying this because of my usual reactions to medicines, and the fact that it is an antipsychotic freaked me out. The only side effects are jaw pain and hungry all the time, but I haven't gained weight yet. I feel so much better. This medicine saved me! (Knock on wood). Give it a try. By the way, I take it alone."

• cle...
• November 7, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been on Rexulti for a month. It was added in addition to my Zoloft 150mg and Klonopin 1mg regimen after I told my psychiatrist that I felt like I was right on the brink of breaking out of my depression, but couldn't quite get there. I started with the sample pack, which consists of a week of 0.5mg tablets and a week of 1mg tablets. After about the 4th day, I started feeling better -- more energy, less anxiety. When I upped the dose to 1mg in the second week, I felt even better. At the end of the 2 weeks, I felt 100% myself. The only side effects I've experienced are slight insomnia (waking up in the middle of the night) and increased appetite. But I've got my life back, so it's worth it. I love this drug. It saved my life."

• FLT...
• July 16, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have tried this medication as an add-on to Lexapro twice in the past year. Both times, I felt an immediate (within 3 days) change/improvement. I started at 0.5 mg and stopped because of weight gain. After several months of unrelenting depression and strong suicidal thoughts/intentions despite exercise and avoiding alcohol, I knew I had to try it again. Now I am on 1 mg and feel quite good. I am sleeping pretty much through the night, except when hormonal, but that has been a consistent experience. Overall, I do use less Xanax on this medication. My appetite has increased but has leveled off. My physical exercise routine has also increased, so I would say that I've only gained about 3-4 lbs total, whereas before I had gained about 7-9 lbs previously."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've been anxiety-ridden since 7 years old with depression. Would not take psych meds until I finally had a severe breakdown with agoraphobia. Zoloft helped, but 5 years ago at 56, I needed inpatient care and outpatient programs. I tried over 15 additional meds, nothing worked. Abilify a bit, but too hyper. Rexulti has been great. Gets rid of anxiety fast and depression too. It does stimulate my appetite, and I've gained 20 lbs."

• Ear...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 28, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have bipolar disorder, MDD, and GAD. I tried Abilify as an add-on, and it made me so tired all the time, and I gained weight. We switched to Rexulti, and I immediately felt fabulous. I was stable and optimistic! Soon after, I noticed I was eating nonstop. It was like an addiction. I struggle with weight as it is. I take Vyvanse for ADHD, and it helps curb my appetite a little, but the Rexulti still makes me want to eat all the time. Also, I've noticed it makes me really restless and irritable. I think it actually induces hypomania in me. I end up having major outbursts of anger and rage. It's even taken a toll on my marriage. I had to stop. I feel a little depressed, but it's better than being out of control."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have Bipolar II with major depressive and borderline disorder, and I started on .5 mg per day for two weeks. I couldn't handle it, it brought on a lot of side effects. Once my doctor reduced it to .25 mg/day, I am feeling very good. The side effects are almost gone. It has helped immensely improve my day-to-day life with depression, which was causing anxiety and other triggers for my mood disorders. I was on Lamictal and Trileptal before this. I switched entirely to Rexulti 6 weeks ago. A great part of this is that it's quick to help with depression. A bad part: tolerance is a bit tricky. Restlessness, digestive issues, and insomnia were horrible when I was on the wrong dose. Also, hunger is huge. I see why people have gained weight. I don't think it's like SSRIs, where it screws with your metabolism. It just makes you hungry. Try to get a schedule down for eating and only eat at those times normal amounts of food. This helped me avoid weight gain. Highly recommend."

• rex...
• May 5, 2016

For Depression "In my third week of 5 mg as an add-on to Paxil. After the first week, I thought to myself, 'So this is what it's like to feel good, upbeat, and happy.' Now this week, I definitely notice an increase in appetite, constantly snacking and looking for something to eat. That will not make me happy, as weight issues were already a problem. Also a bit troublesome is I am feeling tingling in my arm from the wrist all the way up to my elbow. Tingling numb, something is off. My guess it's the Rexulti. See the doctor on Monday and will update. If it gets worse, I will follow up sooner."

• Mma...
• June 26, 2017

For Schizophrenia "Rexulti has helped my bipolar mania in so many ways. From previous experience with antipsychotics, I was expecting side effects like increased appetite, excessive sleepiness, etc. I did get akathisia when I first began, but I did begin at 3 mg (a high dose). I reduced back down to 0.5 and gradually increased to 1 mg. So far (1.5 months), I have seen extreme improvement in my mood and sleep schedule. I feel more motivated and am getting more of my responsibilities done. My social anxiety is pretty much gone, as is my GAD. The only issue I have is periodically having trouble falling asleep, but this is not significant. Overall, I think Rexulti has really helped me in many ways, and I attribute the positive results in my recent life to Rexulti."

• MGY...
• August 17, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started on Rexulti four months ago. I take 1.0 mg Rexulti along with 160 mg of Duloxetine. My first reaction was tremendous energy and a much better mood. The crying episodes have stopped completely. The energy level soon returned to normal, and now I am feeling very tired and fatigued. I generally fall asleep right away but awake at 3:00 a.m., just like clockwork. I stay in bed until 6:00 a.m. Weight gain has not been a problem, although I admit to feeling hungry all the time. The benefits of this drug far outweigh the negative symptoms. I also suffer from anxiety disorder, and Rexulti has helped with that as well. The cost of this drug is very high. Hopefully, as time goes on, it will come down. My doctor provides me with samples for now."

• Mo7...
• September 22, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was one of the first to try this new medication at my psychiatrist's office. I found it to have controlled my emotions. I wasn't crying for any little thing anymore. I noticed my appetite increased, I felt more lethargic, and I had sleep disturbances. I chose to discontinue use. It's been 4 days since I abruptly had to stop due to other reasons. I'm still experiencing insomnia."

• squ...
• July 11, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "Have been taking for three weeks now and feel better than I have in years. Also take Wellbutrin, Viibryd, and Lamictal, they worked fairly well, but never felt 100%, and I recently started slipping into a very bad place. Doc reduced Wellbutrin from 450 mg/day to 150 mg a day and added 1 mg Rexulti. Only a few weeks, but noticing a huge difference. Only side effects so far are stomach upset (went away in a few days) and it really increased my appetite at first (great, just what I need), but seems to have leveled off. I take it at bedtime, so haven't had any problems with drowsiness."

• 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....."

• Eri...
• April 20, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "Awful medication. I’m coming off of it. I’m on day 3 of not taking it, and I don’t feel any different. It really wasn’t helping me anyway. I was still sad, emotional, and depressed, and felt like my life was out of control. I could cry at the drop of a hat. To add to everything, I have gained at least 10 lbs or more quickly, which certainly doesn’t help the situation. I feel like I gained all the weight in my face and stomach. It’s absolutely awful. I read one other review where she said she felt like a “big fat blob” and super bloated. That’s where I am. This medicine definitely increases my appetite and makes me crave sweets. If you don’t care about possibly gaining 10 to 20 lbs, I say go ahead and give it a go. Not worth it to me at all. I wish I had never started this awful medication."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2017

For Schizophrenia "I am on a dose of 4 mg. I feel very pleased about this medication. It is very quiet, no voices. I have been on the medication for 2 months. I was gradually introduced to a higher and higher dose. At 4 mg., I am finally not afraid of the thoughts I have that are delusions. I do have an increase in appetite and a bit of restlessness. But the benefits of this medicine far outweigh any adverse effects. I am not anxious as badly as I was either. And I can get up and take care of housework better. I am liking this med very much."

• Sun...
• March 27, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was prescribed this along with my Effexor XR when diagnosed with mild BPD, depression, ADD, PTSD. I originally took Abilify but discontinued it once I gained 30 lbs in a month. The Rexulti makes me feel tired, and I cannot lose the weight I gained with the Abilify. I thought with the Adderall I started taking and with working out, I would at least lose a few lbs. Nope! I think I am done with this med. I am in DBT, CBT therapy, and I think that has had more of an effect on my impulsive behavior than this medicine. The only thing I have noticed with it is I have vivid dreams and am always hungry."

• Anonymous
• April 16, 2021

For Depression "After just 10 days, I am beginning to feel more like my old self. I’m laughing more and have a more positive attitude. I have moments of joy. The only downfall is that I am really hungry, especially at night. I have RA, so it’s sometimes hard with the joint pain to exercise, but I have been making sure that I get some cardio every day, even if it’s only 10 minutes. I hope this med continues to work as I love having feelings again."

• Jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 19, 2022

For Depression "I have Asperger's, OCD, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and I've been on Rexulti, Pristiq, and Seroquel for a few years now. I've tried several medications that didn't work for me, these do. Although, when first starting on these medications, I was 70 kilos. I'm now 100 kilos, but I would put that down to the medications maybe lowering my metabolism and increasing my appetite, because I wasn't eating before! So if I had none of these conditions, I'd probably be where I'm at now anyway. When I forget to take my meds one day, I feel weird in the head. It's like a physical thing, like a tingling, but bad, and I lose focus, and I get crabby. People around me ask if I've had my meds. I'm more likely to want to binge drink when I haven't had them too. But the next day, when I remember to actually take them, I have energy, yet I'm calm. I feel peaceful but not like a zombie or wanting to sleep all the time. Also, my doses are 100 mg Pristiq, 2 mg Rexulti in the morning along with thyroid pills and vitamins. I take 25 mg of Seroquel at night to calm down and sleep."

• Peg...
• September 17, 2018

For Major Depressive Disorder "I'm up to 2 mg a day, but it really hasn't helped. All I do is sit and cry all day. I have no energy, no drive, no motivation, but it has increased my appetite, and that's not a good thing. I'm overweight now."

• bun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 1, 2021

For Depression "This has been amazing, and I am just starting my third free pack. I feel happy and content and hopeful for the first time in years. The change is amazing. I almost wondered if I was manic, as this new mood is so new. I'm able to handle stress. I'm able to enjoy tasks and work. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone. I haven't had the increased appetite that others have mentioned, but even if so, I would be overjoyed just due to the increase in mood and overall feeling of bliss."

• Sma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 29, 2024

For Major Depressive Disorder "I’m taking 1 mg Rexulti along with Prozac for MDD, severe anxiety, and psychosis. Started hearing voices, sometimes in other languages, so my psych recommended this med. Previously was on Vraylar, which gave me really bad akathisia, so I had to wean off. Rexulti has gotten rid of the psychosis in around 3 weeks with few side effects. I do get hungry more often, but I am controlling weight by eating healthy and exercising daily. It’s very expensive, even with insurance, but I found a coupon on the Rexulti website which got me the med for free."

• Col...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "I can tell I have gained weight, but my mood is stable, and I may be able to lose it with more activity. Definitely thirstier and hungrier. So far, so good. I’m at 0.5 mg and about 2.5 months in."