Vraylar and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• car...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 5, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I was put on Vraylar for bipolar 2, changed my life. I do experience these things though: overheating, intense boredom, indigestion, and drowsiness. I go to bed now around 9 pm and wake up at 5 am. I can’t stay up or wake up any later. The depression that came with bipolar is gone. I feel happy, I have motivation to do things, and I am not irritable. This drug helped me see the light in life again."

• Kdw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "Started out amazing. I thought finally I had found a medication that would work for my major depression, but nope. Around day 8/9, my mood fell back down, and the side effects hit. I feel like someone gave a sedative, I'm slow talking/moving. I don't feel like myself at all. To top it all off, I take Adderall for a sleep disorder, and now my Adderall is not working as effectively. Horrible experience."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication is the best one I have been on, and I have been on many. Latuda made me hallucinate, and I ended up jumping out a second-story window. Seroquel made me sleep all of the time. Abilify did not work at all. The other medications were out of my price range. My insurance company recommended that I try these and a few others prior to approving coverage of Vraylar. I was receiving samples from the public service agency I was in prior to my mother purchasing insurance for me. I am diagnosed Bipolar 1 with psychotic tendencies (hearing voices not in my head but in the rooms I’m in). They are cruel, critical of my actions, and threatening that I will be arrested, hurt by my loved ones, etc. Vraylar is the only medication I’ve taken so far that has helped ease these symptoms."

• MRB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 21, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've taken Vraylar for two weeks, and it has been a very unpleasant experience for me. It has been an add-on to Trintellix that I take for depression. I've experienced a number of side effects, including weight gain, insomnia, drowsiness, and brain fog, lots of brain fog. I don't get angry, and I caught myself today feeling like I wanted to go all rage monster while at the store as a handful of expectations went unmet, resulting in a lot of frustration. It seems like it works for some people, but it hasn't for me. I can't get past the side effects."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 29, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "20 years old, female with bipolar. The first few weeks on Vraylar, I experienced restlessness, drowsiness, and hot flashes. After my body adjusted to the medication, all I can say is that it’s worked wonders for me. I haven’t had any mood swings, I feel as stable as I’ve been for years and will continue taking this medication. Glad to have found something that finally works. Thanks, Vraylar!"

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 2, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "For the first 3 days, I felt a reduction in anxiety but had a cloudy feeling. Over the next week, I started to get depressed and increasingly groggy. In weeks 2 and 3, I thought I was going to die. I was up all night long shaking and extremely agitated. My heart was thumping. I had a terrible headache and dizziness. I only slept 2-3 hours and only during the day. For anyone who is experiencing these side effects, I hope you find some peace knowing you are not alone. The drug has a long half-life, so it’s going to take me a few days, but I hope I can get back to my regular state."

• Yea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I started on Vraylar 1.5 mg and took samples for about 2 months. I felt great on it, like I never had before on any other meds. But the side effect that I can’t shake is the drowsiness and 'fog' that started almost immediately. I didn’t want to quit because I felt better in every other way. I quit 2 days ago, and I feel extremely less tired. I am going to have to find another medicine. I wouldn’t be able to afford it anyway!"

• Sui...
• April 10, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Vraylar was, for me, quite awful. I was constantly drowsy and foggy. I would go to sleep for 12 hours, wake up for four, nap for four, and then stay awake for another four before collapsing from exhaustion. I was also pretty nauseated. I didn't see any meaningful change in my mood. What most disappoints me about my experience with Vraylar is that it was really pitched to me as a miracle drug: few side effects, quick appearance of positive effects, etc. However, it was a nightmare for me, and based on online reviews, my experience is a very common one. I have to say that it honestly really reduced my trust in my psychiatrist. (For some context, I'm bipolar II with ADHD. I've been on a lot of different things, and found that overall I respond poorly to atypical antipsychotics. I've been taking Wellbutrin for depression/anxiety, and it's really worked wonders for me. Now if only I could go to sleep before it's literally dawn, eat more than one meal a day, and actually get work done...)"

• Tar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2023

For Schizophrenia "Extremely depressed and psychotic for 30 years with several suicide attempts was put on Vraylar as an adjunct therapy. I only could last 2 days on this med. Day 1, extreme sleepiness (1.5 mg). Day 2, (3 mg) extreme sleepiness during the whole day, hard to breathe like an asthma attack, muscle stiffness, and involuntary tremors, hand shaking. Could not even walk around the house feeling like I was going to faint any second. This drug is a no-no for me. I'll be in danger if I keep on taking it. Advice: Do some research before taking Vraylar. Doctor told me this was one of the best drugs for me, but it made me more depressed."

• Pia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been on Vraylar for about a month for bipolar. It works wonders, but it makes me excessively drowsy at 1.5 mg. I take the med at night and still feel drowsy the next day. Needless to say, I have to stop taking it."

• Yuk...
• November 26, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I was on Lamictal 200 XR and Geodon 40 mg, switching to Vraylar 3 mg. I have not enjoyed the switch. I have a job that requires me to make decisions quickly, be calm, and teach others. Since starting the Vraylar, I have not been able to talk without having a hard time finding my words. I feel angry and cannot handle any stress. My body feels like I need to just move and cannot be comfortable in any position. My eyes are heavy, and I feel like I could just fall asleep if I didn’t fight it. I just feel so out of touch with who I am behaviorally since taking this in a negative way. I would not recommend this. I am stopping the medication with my doctor's help."

• Ptd...
• July 3, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I am titrating on 3 mg of Vraylar for week 2, and all my agitation is gone. I feel calm and sensible now. I'm tapering off of Seroquel, so I do not know how beneficial it will be with sleep, but there's less sedation during the day, which is a plus. I would recommend Vraylar because of its low side effects profile."

• jim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2016

For Schizophrenia "Works well on all symptoms. Treats cognitive symptoms better than other meds. Does not make my mouth twitch like some meds. No sedation at all. No sexual side effects at all. Only noticeable side effect is a disturbing mental state when going to bed at night. The only other drawback is that it is not yet available in generic."

• Soc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I have tried just about every medicine for bipolar I that is known to man, and none have been effective for me. Was keeping my fingers crossed that Vraylar would be the one that would offer some relief, but it proved to be yet another dud. I took this medicine at 2:00 p.m., and at 4:00 p.m., I could barely keep my eyes open anymore. I then proceeded to sleep for 24 hours, waking up only once or twice for about 5 minutes to go to the bathroom! When I finally did wake up the next afternoon, I was extremely sedated, and I had the typical zombified feeling that comes along with taking an anti-psychotic. Not to mention, I was on the lowest dose of 1.5 mg. I would hate to see what 3 or 6 mg would have done to me."

• Ken...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "HORRIBLE. My psychiatrist put me onto this a few weeks ago. It made me feel loopy and drowsy, so taking it at night wasn’t a problem. However, as soon as I would take it, I would immediately fall asleep. I would then wake up at the slightest sound and not be able to go back to bed. I also had the side effect of akathisia that would keep me up. It was to the point I had to pace around to keep myself at bay. Sitting down was uncomfortable, standing up was uncomfortable as well. I also did not see much of a difference in my mood. I just got switched to Latuda due to these issues... hopefully it works."

• Mik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 6, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Vraylar for a few months at different doses, trying to balance side effects and benefits of the drug. I often feel restless—I can't stop moving my legs—but extremely drowsy, an odd combination. Beyond that, my bipolar disorder is managed fairly well with fewer episodes of depression."

• PL1...
• August 22, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar unspecified. I was super afraid to start a new med, especially one that is considered an antipsychotic (ugh, such a horrible name). Also, because I haven’t had a full-blown manic episode… anyway, my mood became so erratic I was willing to try anything. So we added half Vraylar twice a week (on top of my mood stabilizer), and it seems to be helping! My rapid cycling between anxiety, agitation, and depression immediately chilled out. Side effects were pretty mild - sleepiness, nausea, and a strange sense of my brain feeling like a dead battery, but after about a month, I have no more side effects other than indigestion. I would say if you're on the fence, give this a try! It’s very gentle so far."

• nor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 6, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I was having severe mood changes, depression. My doctor prescribed Vraylar for the first time. I experienced very minimal side effects, such as sleepiness and mild triggers of migraine headaches. Now I am feeling great thanks to Vraylar."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Taking Vraylar for the last month, extreme restlessness, feeling anxious, agitated, and high heart rate, manic episodes too. Not feeling good but hoping for side effects to reduce. Few positive thoughts and will continue the next few weeks. An engineering student but took a break as not able to concentrate. Was on olanzapine for 6 months but that made me groggy, sleepy, so stopped."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Taking Vraylar for the last month, extreme restlessness, feeling anxious, agitated, and high heart rate, manic episodes too. Not feeling good but hoping for side effects to reduce. Few positive thoughts and will continue the next few weeks. An engineering student but took a break as not able to concentrate. Was on olanzapine for 6 months but that made me groggy, sleepy, so stopped."

• all...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I absolutely didn't like being on this drug. It was prescribed for bipolar depression. The cognitive impairment was severe. I couldn't think well enough to write out a grocery list and go to the store. I made mistakes at work. I am a lifelong reader and couldn't pick up a book. I was also very, very drowsy, sleeping whenever I could. I was on a very low dose-1.5 once every 4 days. I had nausea the whole time I was on it. After giving it months' worth of a try, I finally told my psychiatrist 'nope.' I think it probably did help my depression a bit, but it wasn't anywhere near worth it given the life-altering horrible side effects. Oh, and don't get me started with the price-fortunately, I had samples from my doctor to start, but they were about to run out, and the pharmacy was going to charge me $1300 per month. Nope. Nope, nope, nope."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "The medication seems to work. I’m not manic, but I am tired, and I sleep a lot with it. It's helping, in combination with Celexa, to level me out and also regulate my temperature, which can be annoying sometimes."

• LAK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 5, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "Just started 3 days ago. Anxious about taking due to side effects. Personally having a sedated feeling a few hours after taking, hoping this will get better with time."

• Kri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2018

For Schizophrenia "I have been on Vraylar for schizophrenia since Sep 2017. I have had no negative side effects apart from a bit of drowsiness here and there. No akathisia as well. I would definitely recommend this med."

• Fam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "1) Have become very forgetful. 2) I daze out a lot. 3) Hard breathing sometimes. 4) Sleeplessness. 5) Constantly have to be moving. 6) No real drive."