Vraylar and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 7, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I was prescribed this Vraylar for bipolar 2, mainly depression. I have been on it for a few weeks and I think this is the one that will change my life. I have a good level of mental energy for the first time ever (but not wired, like a stimulant), I suddenly have no problem motivating myself to do the things I want to do, I don’t have the urge to overeat, and I am a happier, more cheerful person. I have had none of the extrapyramidal or cognitive side effects, but it did make me a little bit hypomanic at first and has made my sleep very fragmented, so I have had to take Saphris some nights to bring me down and help me sleep. All of the bad reviews and potential side effects made me scared to try it for a while, after having had a bad experience with another atypical antipsychotic, but the benefits have far outweighed any mild side effects I’ve experienced."

• Cra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 17, 2019

For Schizophrenia "Vraylar literally helped me to turn my whole life around. I have been on it for 2 years now. It was a rough adjustment, to say the least. However, after finally getting on the right dosage (4.5 mg) and addressing the insomnia it caused (with 400mg Seroquel), I am on top of the world. I was always high-functioning, but never able to fully recover for the duration of the time I was on Zyprexa and Haldol. I have fully recovered! I am now on track to finish my degree. I won’t elaborate with my restrained euphoria and uncharacteristically un-paranoid and sane outlook on life and this drug. I wish everyone had this experience with VRAYLAR. Best to all."

• jim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 8, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "Beware! This drug may offer relief in the beginning, but it may not be worth it in the long run. I wanted help with morning depression and anxiety, and my doctor deduced that I am bipolar. She prescribed Vraylar, and after 8 months of taking it, I had become a shell of my former self. But that is not even the problem. STOPPING THIS DRUG IS DANGEROUS. My doctor didn't wean me off the drug, and she was wrong for that. Here's what the past 10 weeks have been like: catatonia, very bad catatonia, hours of staring into space every day, an overwhelming feeling of fear, 1 seizure in the first week, tardive psychosis, thoughts of suicide, barely any sleep, and bouts of crying. I'm a commercial carpenter, and I don't play the victim card. I'm a rough-and-tumble kind of man, and I've never felt the psychotic-ness that I've felt from trying to get this drug out of my body. I'm truly a slave to the drug's effects. Oh, and now I have permanent facial muscle spasms. Stay away."

• Ril...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I’ve been feeling pretty depressed on this medication. Intensely bored, nothing is fun for more than a few minutes, all I want to do is sleep the misery away but I can’t sleep well. I’ve been on this medication for two weeks and I’ve never felt depressed like this before."

• Som...
• February 10, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Vraylar was the first drug I have ever used to treat my bipolar. I was scared out of my mind, but I finally took it. There were side effects the first few weeks that tapered off. I am in ongoing therapy which I think is really important. Bottom line I am really glad I got over my fears and took it. I'm no longer depressed but I am feeling things now after a long time. Laughing more, yelling more, getting mad, and being more productive. I was depressed for a long time. I feel like I'm at the beginning of getting my life back. I was very concerned about weight gain so I work out every day... at least thirty minutes of walking or going to the gym. I got really hungry so I joined Weight Watchers to track my food intake and get advice. I eat a ton of fruit and drink water all day. It's forcing me to be healthy. I have lost weight and not gained. Take your time with it. The insomnia was pretty bad but I'm leveling out. Muscle stiffness was a slight problem but I do yoga or stretch every day."

• Sar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Other than the restless legs and sleep disruption, which goes away after a few weeks, Vraylar is the first medication I have found that really works for me, and worked quickly, too. I tried about 7 different antipsychotics before finding this one, and it has truly helped with my depression and mood swings. I can still feel my cycles trying to pull me in those directions, but it's like I have a choice now, and the option to make rational decisions."

• Bad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "This medication caused extreme muscle weakness, urinary urgency, confusion, nausea, restless legs, insomnia, and tremors. Because of the urinary urgency and confusion, I was wrongly diagnosed and treated for a UTI, thus prolonging my time taking Vraylar. The brain fog and weakness kept me from realizing what was wrong, and it took 3 months to figure it out. The nausea and upset stomach from this medication, plus antibiotics, led to a weight loss of 20 lbs over these 3 months. Worst medication I’ve ever taken, and who knows why my psychiatrist ever prescribed it for my anxiety and mild depression! What a disaster."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 31, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I have a strange relationship with this med. I switched from Zyprexa to Vraylar. For some months, I had horrible insomnia and muscle pain (at that time I got prescribed Seroquel XR and Imovane for sleep and against agitation), but somehow I kept going. I told myself it had to be worth it. It was quite an unpleasant experience, but somehow it got me out of my blockade. For me, it’s the first medication that really not only sustained me but changed something deep inside of me – but it came at a price. Now I’m really better and hope it stays that way."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I am 72 and have had bipolar 1 since the age of 15. I have never been well since menopause at age 50 and have tried every drug on the market. Finally, I went to a new doctor (NP) who put me on Vraylar. I was very wary of antipsychotics because I started getting really shaky with Seroquel and Zyprexa. However, Vraylar seems okay. I have been on it for 3 months, started on 1.5 mg for 7 days, had to go up to 3 mg due to a big manic episode that lasted 8 days. Vraylar stopped it the next day. The problems have been exceptionally vivid dreams and insomnia. I take many other things for insomnia, but nothing works. I have been lying awake for hours ever since starting this medication. It is such a shame as I have never felt better in my life. I am going to see my doctor on Wednesday to see what she thinks."

• Bip...
• November 20, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I had a bad experience with Zyprexa for bipolar, so my doctor switched me to 1.5 mg of Vraylar. I was so excited at first because it’s been said to be the best of the best. The first few days, I felt... off. I chalked it up to coming off of Zyprexa. By day 5, I couldn’t sleep more than 2-3 hours if I was lucky. I’d wake up with chest and stomach pain-filled anxiety. No appetite whatsoever. I felt like my skin was crawling. I tend to be fearful of starting new meds, so I asked my doctor if it was normal, and he just said I was experiencing my “condition” and not the meds. So, like an idiot, I gave it another week. The problems only worsened. I cried every day because my body and emotions felt so uncomfortable. The anxiety was to the point I couldn’t leave the house. All I did was want to scream and self-harm (I never had that desire before). I’m now three days off, and the anxiety and insomnia are still very, VERY real. I just want to feel better. Please use caution with this drug. It’s been terrifying for me."

• 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."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "My doctor went on and on about this miracle drug and how it would change my life. I should've smelt the science experiment when she happened to mention I would be the first person to take it in her practice. I had extreme insomnia - lucky if I had an hour of straight sleep, sleep medications wouldn't work. Restless, I had to go, go, go. I was shaking all of the time, and my anxiety was through the roof. I had multiple panic attacks at work wherein I had to leave (this has never happened even on my worst day). Upside, the visual/auditory hallucinations stopped, as well as the delusions, and I felt like everything was hunky-dory emotionally wise, but that was due to the mania it all but catapulted me into. The doctor pretty much refused to change my medications, even after only having taken it for a month, with all of these horrible side effects. I realized I would have to do it and never went back. I will never touch Vraylar again."

• KDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I started to help me the 2nd day I took Vraylar (have bipolar). It keeps me from hitting the low-lows. However, I can no longer sleep more than 4 hours at a time. It's great as a mood stabilizer, but not sleeping is starting to get to me. Is this normal?"

• con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2019

"If thinking about starting this medication, I would greatly advise doing your homework. My daughter was prescribed this medication by a PA or nurse practitioner in a PC setting that had no business prescribing it for mood stabilization that is not even FDA indicated. She was on this for 16 days and developed severe, disabling panic attacks and anxiety, and then developed akathisia, severe insomnia, heart palpitations, blood pressure issues, severe loss of appetite, self-harm, disturbing thoughts, feeling of disassociation, blurry vision, loss of time, and more. She has now been off the medication for 2 1/2 months and still basically homebound and needing to be watched around the clock. This medication should only be reserved as a last resort. Come on, FDA. Please do more investigating. This should be reserved for psychiatry prescribing ONLY. This is my opinion and my experience through my daughter's experience. Be aware and do your homework."

• Yik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I took this medication, Vraylar, for around two months and had to stop taking it because I could not sleep at night, and I couldn’t sit still for any longer than 30 minutes. Continuous feeling of crawling out of my skin. I was on 3 mg. This medication also gave me a permanent head twitch that is super obnoxious, so I can’t imagine what else it would have done if I were on it longer. However, for my hallucinations and my mood, it was a lifesaver. My speech improved, as well as my attitude. I felt like I could finally breathe. I was only seeing blotches of color, which was pleasant for me compared to my very vivid hallucinations. Such a shame the physical symptoms are too unbearable, otherwise, this would have been spectacular."

• Fra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I've had severe depression alongside bipolar. I've been on Vraylar for about 3 months. My depression lessened significantly. Recently, I've been restless and dealing with insomnia (even with sleeping medicine), and I have constant anxiety and intrusive thoughts. I have also gotten agitated, and it feels like it's almost pushing me into a manic episode. It's very scary and lonely to be put in this position. These side effects were not discussed at all. I don't suggest this medicine."

• Dra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "My psych doctor started me on this, and at first, nothing happened at the 1.5 dose. Once he increased it to 3 mg, everything went south. I started hallucinating and not sleeping. It exasperated my bipolar problems. Needless to say, I am no longer on it."

• Moo...
• October 30, 2018

For Schizophrenia "I feel like my old self! I am doing creative things like beadwork and enjoy learning again, like studying Spanish. Getting things done around the house. I have been stable on Geodon for 16 years, but was having dyskinesia. My only problem with Vraylar is the horrible insomnia. I am wondering if it will get better. A bit of nausea, but need to eat well is all. Overall, I am grateful for it. Latest review*** I have to go back to Geodon. A bit of anxiety with the Vraylar, but I wake up with a headache every day for 2 months."

• Kp1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 1, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "This is the worst medicine I have ever taken. It actually made my manic and compulsive buying worse. It messed with my sleep schedule and my blood sugar. I’m normally 103-105 lbs. I was constantly hungry on this, and my blood sugar would plummet between meals. I gained 7 lbs in 2 months after my doc put me on 3 mg. I have switched to lithium and feel like a new person."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "My doctor at a mental health hospital prescribed me this because along with bipolar, she said I had severe impulsive borderline personality disorder (BPD). This medicine really calms me down, but the indigestion and the insomnia are a pain. What can I do to help those out? I'm going to talk to my doctor today too."

• mus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Have had a great experience with Vraylar. Went from oversleeping on a regular basis (on Risperidone) to sleeping a healthy 8-10 hours. Feel sharper, more social, and generally in a better mood. Unfortunately, have been dealing with insomnia and on-and-off nausea. It's been two weeks since starting. Overall, the positives outweigh the negatives, and I'm hoping the side effects subside over time. Give it a shot."

• Oov...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 10, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I just reached the 2-month mark. I’ve gained about 10 lbs (not sure if it’s from the medicine or not, but I never have trouble maintaining my usual 110 lbs until now). I also have mild akathisia induced by the medicine, so I’m thinking about changing it. I don’t have terrible hallucinations and delusions anymore, which is good, but I still hear voices that keep me up at night; I guess the medicine needs more time to fully work."

• Jer...
• January 21, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "My daughter used this drug for three weeks. The third week, she was restless and walked all over the house. She could not sleep at all. The third day, she took two 1.5 mg Vraylar, and by afternoon, her whole body was shivering, and she could not drink water. We rushed her into an ER. She is in the hospital now. The neurologist prescribed medicine to reverse the effects of Vraylar. Her system is flushed out, and so is her brain. She does not shiver anymore, but her thinking ability is affected, and she cannot have continual thoughts. She is restless and can’t sleep more than two hours. She is under psychiatrist observation, and this drug is stopped. Thus, when you use this drug, be careful and observant."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Started on Vraylar 1.5 mg for 3 weeks, mild side effects... went up to 3 mg and the insomnia, restlessness, and agitation were horrible. I made it in 5 days and then saw the doctor. I have Bipolar I, and she suggested I go back down to 1.5 and added 5 mg of Abilify. My body was sore for the first few days, but I’m starting to feel good again, and taking the Abilify at bedtime helps with sleep."

• Les...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar I many years ago but have only really started taking meds and managing it. I've been on Lamictal 150 mg twice a day and Klonopin 1 mg as needed. In the last month, I started having more anxiety, and the Lamictal just didn't seem as effective anymore. My doc started me on the Vraylar 1.5 mg 10 days ago, and I'm most definitely worse with it. I'm more agitated, emotional, shaky, can't sleep even with sleeping meds. My paranoia has significantly increased. I don't recommend this med at all."