Vraylar and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ros...
• July 16, 2017

For Schizophrenia "So this stuff works, but beware, if you have sleeping issues, I promise you it will only make it worse. And if you decide to stop taking these meds, please, I beg you, go to the doc so they can help lower your doses bit by bit safely."

• izz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I usually don't read reviews on medication because I want to give the drug an unbiased try. After 5 weeks on Vraylar at the lowest dose, here are my adverse reactions: insomnia, panic, paranoia, fear, mania, easily startled, itching, rash, decreased vision, dry cough, GERD, upset stomach, increased urination, loose stool. The insomnia started immediately. I would sleep a couple of hours and then be wide awake. The drug wore me out because of all the resulting side effects. I had no side effects on Seroquel and, after discontinuing the Vraylar, I am relieved to be back on it."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Worst antipsychotic ever! Threw me into a manic episode after we went to 3 mg. I barely slept for a week, emptied my bank account, and drove my roommates crazy. If I could rate it lower than 1/10, I would."

• lm2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 3, 2022

"Used it off-label for severe OCD after not responding to SSRIs. I took a GeneSight test and my doctor prescribed this. After day 4-5 of 1.5 mg, I noticed a significant decrease in my anxiety and intrusive thoughts and was able to not engage in as many compulsions. Overall, it worked really well, but I had to stop taking it after 2 weeks due to it causing extreme restlessness, constant boredom feeling, and insomnia. Going to try Latuda next."

• Dep...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2018

"I'm on the fence with this medication. I was prescribed this for treatment-resistant depression. Today is day ten. While it seems to be helping the depression, the side effects are almost too much. Weight loss/appetite suppression has been nice, but the shakiness, heartburn, nausea, cramping, bloating, increased insomnia, and (probably the worst) blurry vision. I keep hoping that it will go away, but so far..."

• Cam...
• March 10, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "My doctor and I tried EVERY anti-depressant known to man and even looked into hippy dippy medicine, and nothing worked. She had a sample of Vraylar for three weeks, and it worked. Pros: No more Sad Sack. I have my life back. I have one episode a month now and nothing more. Cons: I have to take sleeping medication because it causes drug-induced insomnia. The restlessness was real until the dose increases stopped. Too little of a dose and you'll look like you're a spun-out meth addict combing the carpet for dog hair. I don't talk as much, don't get as nervous as much anymore, so the talking went with it. Doesn't seem too bad to me, but my husband had to adjust to the change."

• Hae...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2018

For Schizophrenia "I've only been on Vraylar for two weeks, and it's returned me to better cognition and a positive mood. The only side effects I've experienced are a little trouble staying asleep for long and an insatiable appetite. I gained 8 lbs in a month (but I was in the hospital at the time and ate a lot of their food because it's better food than I get at home). I still have voices, but my delusional symptoms have been greatly attenuated."

• Dic...
• March 6, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Vraylar is an effective mood stabilizer. Initially had nausea that subsided. Then I had insomnia and occasionally mild akathisia. I recently added trazodone for insomnia and anxiety, and it seems to be a great combination. Dx: bipolar 2 and GAD. Good luck on your search!"

• Amy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I have been taking Vraylar for over six months now. My anxiety levels went way down. Also, I definitely have had less paranoia and overthinking problems. Vraylar has helped with my thought processes. However, I have had trouble staying asleep on it. I am able to fall asleep but cannot stay asleep past about 2 hours at a time. My sleep has been very interrupted on Vraylar. In addition, I have gained over 30 pounds on this medicine. I have very recently decided to go off of Vraylar because of the sleep problems and weight gain. I wish I hadn't experienced these side effects because it has helped me think more clearly and be able to function without overanalyzing everything."

• Amy...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I have been taking Vraylar for over six months now. My anxiety levels went way down. Also, I definitely have had less paranoia and overthinking problems. Vraylar has helped with my thought processes. However, I have had trouble staying asleep on it. I am able to fall asleep but cannot stay asleep past about 2 hours at a time. My sleep has been very interrupted on Vraylar. In addition, I have gained over 30 pounds on this medicine. I have very recently decided to go off of Vraylar because of the sleep problems and weight gain. I wish I hadn't experienced these side effects because it has helped me think more clearly and be able to function without overanalyzing everything."

• Vic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Stick with it and push through the initial side effects! (*Except if you develop tardive dyskinesia). At first, I almost quit because the insomnia and restlessness were significant for the first few weeks, but eventually my body acclimated. It has stabilized both my depression and mania without making me emotionally or cognitively dulled. This drug has given me my life back, and now I'm functional and achieving my goals. The only lasting side effects are that I get easily bored with TV and books now and have noticed a slight decrease in libido. However, I choose to live with those if it means I can regulate my emotions."

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 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."

• Rol...
• November 6, 2019

"Initially, after a few days of Vraylar 1.5 mg, I started to feel more like myself. However, anxiety started to return, and now I've had awful restless leg symptoms and difficulty sleeping without medication. I wish I knew for sure Vraylar was the cause because I would then just stop the medication and try something else since I'm not bipolar or schizophrenic."

• SWa...
• February 16, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I have taken Vraylar for a year. It has been great for me and has adjusted my mood so that I am not crying all the time. I don't have manic episodes anymore. I went through the agitation/insomnia days 1-14. Gained and cannot lose the 40 lbs. New doc who tells me I can take something else that will replace Vraylar and I can always go back on it if I need to, but I am ready to get this weight off, so I'm going to take the chance. The average weight gain was 2.2 lbs for a 6-week course, and I, of course, am above average, but even going to the gym has done absolutely nothing to get the weight off. But this medication has worked wonders for me and is the first bipolar medication I have ever taken, so I have to recommend it highly if you don't mind gaining a few - or several - extra pounds. Good luck to everyone! We are not alone."

• Mid...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I started taking Vraylar on July 17. I suffer from major depression, OCD, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. I felt emotionally regulated. However, I gained weight and experienced insomnia, which was already an issue for most of my life. I stopped the drug twice. My mood deteriorated and became more unregulated. I've been back on for 4 weeks. My mood has stabilized. The weight gain has been an atrocious side effect for me. I'm very petite, and gaining 12 lbs has been very physically uncomfortable. I eat well and am always on the move. I've also suffered from chronic diarrhea; however, I have IBS. I do feel the constant diarrhea that is now occurring is related to Vraylar."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "Female, 65 years old, 3 mg past 7 weeks causing insomnia, looser stools, loss of appetite. No significant improvement with depression."

• Cra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "A miracle drug for my depression, but I did have to go through 2 to 3 weeks of restlessness and insomnia for me when I first started taking it."

• Jan...
• September 17, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Started to feel okay the first week, but once the doctor upped the dose to 3 mg, all heck broke loose. Massive anxiety, panic attacks, and loss of sleep. Felt like I was losing my mind."

• Arj...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 4, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "On Vraylar and so far it’s okay, except for some pretty bad insomnia. My mood is more positive and I have some mild anxiety. Pleased so far, but hoping for more. Taking for bipolar depression."

• ugh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 19, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Side effects of Vraylar: akathisia, insomnia, mild hallucinations, rashes, nausea, double vision, worst med I've ever been on."

• ich...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "On Vraylar, I had horrendous akathisia for two weeks, with insomnia averaging 90 minutes a night. Junk should be taken off the market."

• Sng...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 24, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I love this medication. No more mixed episodes of bipolar. I’m on 4.5 mg, the only problem I have is insomnia."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 25, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Can't sleep. Can't eat. Can't sit still. Can't smoke weed."

• Lor...
• November 8, 2018

For Schizophrenia "I don't like any drug that makes me sleep and doesn't help my symptoms."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 8, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I take the lowest possible dose (every other day, 1.5 mg) of Vraylar, still having insomnia after 2 months, the insomnia probably harms me quite a bit."