Saphris And Depression
(Newest replies first)

I was given saphris for depression. Saphris is a brand new drug but its labing is not for depression.
Has anyone else took this medicine

REPLY

REPORT

Re: Jae (# 32)

Jane, I, too, have bipolar 2 and am on the same meds. but different dosages. Wellbutrin 425 mgs, Lamictal 400 mgs and still in a deep depression (and 2 mg clonazapam for sleep). Did you try the Saphris? I'm scared to with all the side effects? 5 mgs is what I was prescribed.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm taking saphris for bipolar but seem to have depression that I can't shake. I would like to take an antidepressant for my illness but the Dr. Won't add or change anything.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Re: flower101 (# 4)

Yes I have been takeing sapris 10 mg for about 17 days and have a huge increase in hunger and I have gained 13 pounds and the next day I am very fatigue but the good thing is I sleep like a rock and that is what I had a big problem with in the past but I am going to ask my DR if there is anything to boost my energy

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Well, I am a Saphris success story. After all of the drugs, and horrible depression, I have my life back. I take Lexapro 10 mg and Wellbutrin 50mg in am and Saphris 2.5 mg and Klonopin .5 mg at night. I've tried Desipramine, Risperdol and no help. I was afraid of Saphris but hung in there and gave it a chance. Too many horror stories online about drugs but I decided to listen to my doctor instead.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

My daughter is 20 she went thru a terrible divorce her father and I, her father is a recluse and sticks his head in the sand, my daughter is overweight, get dad eats his meals at the computer instead of with her at the table, she took the drug kratom, and sliced both arms and was in icu for 7 days last year, she was with me and things were going good and all of a sudden she became VERY agitated, was shaking me(I was recovering from 10 fractured ribs) plus jerking me like she did,I have chronic back pain due to having multiple myeloma, she suddenly slapped me across my face scratching it, I'm 55,I had to call 911 on her, she was acting very strange, she went to get councillor for a check up next day, from there she was sent to get psychiatrist, from there taken to seay hospital in Plano tx, they put her on latuda 120 mg,,trileptal 600 mg,ativan trazodone 50 mg at night, she wouldn't take her meds, so they got a court order to give her meds intravenous injection s she was home with her dad and he would keep all meds and knives locked in a lock box,I told him to watch her, check her mouth, and she could be throwing them up(which come to find out she was) so she had another bad episode with her dad and now she's in mental hospital greenoaks in Dallas, she's diagnosed as bypolor schizophrenia, now they took her off latuda and they are giving her Saphris,I have not seen or talked to her, her father makes sure of that, I'm very concerned about my daughter, she was into her second year of collage and seemed to be doing fine.I often wonder if she went and bought more kratom, since its legal and anyone over 18 can get this God awful stuff, oh and she's already 5/1"and weighs over 200 lbs, her father's mother is drawing a disability check because she's mentally ill,I wonder if her father is trying to get her on disability for bipolar schizophrenia? She's worth more if her had control of her money, he said he was going to go see her tonight and let me know how it's going,I want to see her,I already lost one daughter to same diagnoses, she wouldn't take her meds, she was 29, lost her Feb 3rd 2011, and I don't want to loose another, her dad doesn't have a clue of what to do except stick her in a mental hospital and so he can work his precious job of 29 years at TI in Richardson tx ,I live 50 miles(and so does he) from where she's at, please, I'm open to ANY ADVICE :-) thank you, Colette

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Lisa, have you had any nasty side effects? Others report weight gain and that's been an issue with other meds I've tried.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

After taking for over a month now, I see a major change in how I feel. It's a relief to know it wasn't all in my head. This drug saved my life.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I, too, was prescribed Saphris for depression. It did a 180 degree effect in me. If feel more like myself....and in the last 3 years, that's saying a lot. I do feel a little "jittery" but nothing I can't handle. I've not noticed any weigh gain but, actually a little weight loss.

Don't take it in the A.M...it's meant to help you sleep so your body can fight depression. Take the whole 5mg at bedtime.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I, too, was prescribed Saphris for depression. It did a 180 degree effect in me. If feel more like myself....and in the last 3 years, that's saying a lot. I do feel a little "jittery" but nothing I can't handle. I've not noticed any weigh gain but, actually a little weight loss.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I, too, was prescribed Saphris for depression. It did a 180 degree effect in me. If feel more like myself....and in the last 3 years, that's saying a lot. I suggest you take the medicine and decide for yourself how it makes you feel. It's been a life saver.....actually.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

An update to my previous post regarding saphris. I had to quit it and swithed to gabapentin. I couldn't take the severe panic attack that went on every night for 1-2 hours before I could fall asleep. The very day I switched meds the panic/anxiety attacks stopped completely! Unfortunately, all the motivation and energy which came with the saphris also stopped and the gabapentin is doing nothing to replace that. So I guess I have to wait to see if that changes after I have been on this for long enough that the psychiatrist knows it isn't helping and tries something new AGAIN. He also put me on a low dose of prozac the same time as the gabapentin which doesn't seem to do anything except take away energy and motivation. Then he also put me on abgilify which so far doesn't seem to do anything but I know with that I DO have to wait until it builds up in my system plus the dose is raised in a few days. In conclusion, saphris bad effects far outweighed the good effects for me and aI had to quit taking it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I just started Saphris about 10 days ago and I gained 8 pounds in less than a week! Another bad reaction is NOT sleeping well. Just gong to sleep is a nightmare because of the anxiety I think Saphris is causing, literally scary. At first the drug when it kicks in make me drowsy and feel calm and good thinking I'm going to fall asleep soon but then when I'm almost asleep, I get jolted awake because I feel I stopped breathing and sometimes it literally makes me jump while lying down. When I do go to sleep its off and on. I have probably slept about 30 hours in the last 10 days, one night not at all, several nights awake until 3-4 am and still wake up ready to go at 6:30, 7 am. I also take lamotrigine in the morning which seems to be what gives me normal energy and normal motivation which is good. But I had to wean off of 2-1/2 years taking venlafaxine which I found out is the WORST antidepressant to quit and can take weeks, months or over a YEAR of withdrawal effects which is horrible so far. My doc thinks that is probably causing most of my issues and that I am still getting used to new meds which are also being affected by the venlafaxine. I just want to sleep right and stop having panic/anxiety attacks, racing heart beat, sleep apnea,rapid cycling of ups and downs, tired of snapping (arguing and/or yelling about every minor or larger aggravation, get rid of headaches....even my tinnitus is worse because of all this! It drives me nuts constantly hearing a million cicadas rubbing their legs in my head, the ringing/cricket-like noise really sucks. Don't ever let your doctor prescribe venlafaxine/Effexor because if you have to come off it, you will suffer greatly and the longer you take it, the worse the withdrawal is. Most people are only prescribed 60 mg and they have serious withdrawals after months or years of taking it, some even for only a couple/few months. I was prescribed 225 mg for most of the 2-1/2 years I took it and so far it truly is horrible getting past it. There's also nausea, sudden pains for no reason, sometimes staging or strong stinging pains, swelling of feet and maybe ankles (the swelling could be one of the new meds)....

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Saphris is a miracle. I have been severely mentally ill for over 20 years and have tried just about every medications from numerous psychiatrists over the years. My last psychiatrist had me on Depakote and I had a life threating episode and almost died. The psychiatrist would not take responsibility for her mistake and I was hospitalized. They immediately discontinued the Depakote and I am still recovering slowly. Went to a very compassionate family doctor for my physical needs and asked if he could oversee my psych meds as well. He prescribed 5 mg. of Saphris at bedtime and within a few days I have had a complete awakening. I am who I am intended to be. Now I am rediscovering myself after 20 years of darkness.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Yes have taken for four years after having tried over 15 other antidepressants. I use in combo with Zoloft and I have been stable ever since. Good luck. But it is expensive

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I'm bipolar with severe depression. Like others, I've been on so many meds...too many to list. I'm currently on Cymbalta, Xanax and Trazadone. Lithium made me a zombie. Took my first dose of Saphras last nt, 5 mg, and today I feel amazing. The taste wasn't horrible; kind of like black licorice and it made my tongue numb, but no big deal. Makes you very sleepy within minutes. Slept great, felt groggy when I woke up, but it lifted within an hour. Today, I left the house for the first time in two weeks. I actually FEEL GOOD! Hope it continues.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

I found your post from four years ago, how did the saphris work after? I'm also on Wellbutrin 400 and lamictal 200, just started saphris today after a major manic episode, bipolar 2, manic depression.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Hello. My name is Adriana and I have a daughter (16 years old), that many years presents some similar problems reported to you, and you are living a moment of exhaustion and maximum depression. Are you tired of so many attempts at medicines that do not efficients. Yesterday the doctor has prescribed Saphris for her.While I read his account was hopeful and happy. I wonder how you are, and seek a "foundation" for my daughter. She is a wonderful girl and we are in need of help.
Thank you.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Have been taking saphris for 2 years for bipolar. It is a good drug which has brought me out of 5 years of hell. The is the only word I can use to describe that time. It is difficult having mental illness and finding the right meds. My faith has helped me otherwise I would of killed myself. I was feeling such a enormous amount of despair. Have courage because there is hope. We may face many trials but don't lose hope.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 5

I have been on saphris for a little over a month works great for me. I have schizoaffective disorder and borderline. Feeling a lot better although have problems being hungry a lot. I still have a few other problems but it may just need to be increased.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

have been on saphris for 15 days, 5mg and have experienced the following side effects: constipation, stomach ache, flu-like symptoms, chills, neck pain and some nausea.....that being said I feel I have finally after many years of trying this med and that med, have had a great result within the first four doses. I was so terrified when I woke up feeling fabulous that I thought I must be in heaven...lots of energy, no signs of mania which I have never experienced, able to enjoy life, excited to get on with the day, accomplishing tasks and getting on with life which has not happened for three years. I will continue taking the medication even though I also am experiencing insomnia because it has been the best result I have had in years. I would encourage anyone to give this med a good try before giving up on it. I do expect I will have to add another med for the insomnia as I am only getting 4-5 hrs of sleep/day. Do not give up, there is an answer although not always immediate.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

Anyone had any experience with Viibryd yet? My doc just gave it to me today. Just wondering... ## I just started Viibryd...

79 REPLIES

I am Bipolar and take 900mg Epilum in the morning as well as 900mg in the evening. I suffer from severe major depression...

5 REPLIES

taking cymbalta and having terrible nightmares.is this a side effect? ## I have had depression for as long as I can reme...

4 REPLIES

I am struggling real bad with panic attacks...lots of doctors don't understand some people need benzos to live a pro...

2 REPLIES

I am now day 6 on Cilift. There might be a slight lift in my depression, but I cannot get myself to get out of bed. Is t...

2 REPLIES

Hi im 33 yrs. Yr old ive suffered with deppressed for 10 yrs now. I was taking prozac abd stopped 4 yrs ago. I have rece...

1 REPLY

i m an english prof. sudden negative thoughts . unable to laugh or enjoy life .i have taken classes enthusiastically bef...

i have been in ever increasing pain for the past 11 years.first i was told it was in my head.then fibromyalgia.now nuero...

3 REPLIES

Just a tale of my two times of taking LYRICA. I took this years ago and stopped because I't did not take my pain awa...

1 REPLY

66 yr old male, 5'11", 191 lbs. Exercise daily. Prescribed 5MG Eliquis x 2 day. Since starting approximately 3 w...

23 REPLIES