Who has taken Vraylar for Major Depression?

Posted by exitframeleft @exitframeleft, Apr 5, 2023

Just started 1.5mg last night and I’ve read a lot of post on different forums and it seems to break down 50% “it’s helpful” & 50% “it’s horrible.” I’ve taken too many drugs to mention over the last 18 years, plus tried ECT and Ketamine infusions but I can’t quiet the depression. Hoping for feedback. I’m Also on 3600mg gabapentin and 12.5mg Amitryptiline for nerve pain and 1mg Clonazepam for anxiety. I’m nervous about this drug.

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@exitframeleft, I'm tagging fellow members like @kmj1967 @gary1316 @lilgrizz @sandij @summertime4 and @bustrbrwn22 who have experience with Vraylar (cariprazine) related to bi-polar.

It's been a few days since you started Vraylar. How are you doing?

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@colleenyoung pretty good, so far. I take it at night and I am restless in bed. Other than that, no side effects that I can tell. I may switch to taking it in the mornings

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I was taking it for the mixed episodes I get with bipolar II, but it turned out it was not for me. I got very sick to my stomach early on & it didn't go away.

Anti-psychotics in general were problematic for me, so I'm back to anti-epileptics.

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@kmj1967

I was taking it for the mixed episodes I get with bipolar II, but it turned out it was not for me. I got very sick to my stomach early on & it didn't go away.

Anti-psychotics in general were problematic for me, so I'm back to anti-epileptics.

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@kmj1967 I hear you. side effects are deal-killers. I’ve been fortunate with most of my meds that I haven’t experienced side effects, but they haven’t helped me either, in most cases, so that isn’t a win. Right now, I have to say that the combo of Amitryptiline and Gabapentin is finally getting my nerve pain under control, but depression is a very different animal. I hope Vraylar helps me and that you find relief with your meds.

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@colleenyoung

@exitframeleft, I'm tagging fellow members like @kmj1967 @gary1316 @lilgrizz @sandij @summertime4 and @bustrbrwn22 who have experience with Vraylar (cariprazine) related to bi-polar.

It's been a few days since you started Vraylar. How are you doing?

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@colleenyoung Vraylar was not for me. Made me manic. Not good for someone with anxiety.

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@bustrbrwn22

@colleenyoung Vraylar was not for me. Made me manic. Not good for someone with anxiety.

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@colleenyoung Thanks for your feedback. I am a week or so into it and I'm restless and not sleeping well. I am not manic, but the restlessness borders on anxiousness. I am taking it for Major Depressive episodes, so I do hope the restlessness subsides soon as I need a good night's sleep and I don't want my anxiety to kick up. I hope you are doing well!

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@exitframeleft Sounds similar to me. I was not sleeping at all and was working out at 2 or 3 in the morning, I couldn't sit still. Just not healthy for my anxiety. Hope you do better!

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Been taking Vraylar about a month for MDD. 1.5mg every 3rd day as a means to boost my existing daily dose of sertraline. I have anxiety as well so I guess this was a way to manage that. It’s okay. Currently looking into changing meds again as this isn’t helping enough.

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Wondering if anyone has updates here? I’ve been on vraylar for about 2 weeks now for MDD and am experiencing what I believe to be restlessness, though not quite to the level of akathesia. I also have a weird feeling in my mouth, like my tongue is heavy and moving. Anyone have similar experience and did it get better over time?

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@emkaf

Wondering if anyone has updates here? I’ve been on vraylar for about 2 weeks now for MDD and am experiencing what I believe to be restlessness, though not quite to the level of akathesia. I also have a weird feeling in my mouth, like my tongue is heavy and moving. Anyone have similar experience and did it get better over time?

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Very restless after 6 weeks or so on it but amazing how it’s clipped my downturns off. I rarely get down for more than a few minutes now but the lack of sleep and restlessness is a bummer. Not exactly akathesia, like you said, but so much restlessness that I am on trazodone to help me sleep. I only get 3.5 -4.5 hours straight and somehow I make it through a very busy day at work. I’m pretty convinced that this drug is half speed and half whatever else is the patented part.

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