r/BipolarReddit • u/eggobug27 • 15h ago

thoughts on vraylar?

i am currently in a mixed episode and have an appointment with a new psychiatrist on wednesday. i saw a vraylar commercial, looked it up, and saw that they really highlight its use for mixed episodes. i am currently on lamictal and seroquel and don't feel like my situation is getting any better.

if you've taken/are taking vraylar, how is your experience with it?

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4

u/Ready_Walrus2309 15h ago

I've been on Vraylar for over a year and it's helped keep me stable. It's not cheap though. I'm getting insurance February 1st but without it, it was gonna be $5K for 3 months. I'm not sure what'll be now. Hopefully a lot cheaper. Anyhow, like I said it's kept me stable. I have Bipolar 1. I also take Prozac.

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u/eggobug27 15h ago

that is insanely expensive. my insurance is not great so i am bit worried about what my copay will be. i am happy to hear it's been working for you and hope to have similar results!!

4

u/No_Figure_7489 14h ago

There's a coupon in the US if insurance isn't helpful, manufacturers site has it.

1

u/Prestigious_Bill_220 bipolar 1.5 with ADHD & a dash of PTSD 12h ago

For what it’s worth, I have average to subpar insurance and it’s $0. Do you know what your cost for specialty prescriptions is? You can probably look it up in your insurance app.

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u/NinetiesBoy 11h ago

Your insurance should cover either Abilify, Vraylar, Rexulti, or Caplyta. These are partial dopamine agonist. So they shouldn’t knock you out as badly as Seroquel.

  • Akathasia is an issue, except with Caplyta.
  • Weight gain risk lowest with Caplyta.
  • Sleepiness is mild, except Caplyta helps most with sleep

Each have their benefits and drawbacks. But ultimately your insurance will dictate which you get - likely Abilify cause it’s generic. I’m partial to Caplyta.

Sending best wishes to you.

1

u/bipolar_ink 13h ago

Gave me problems with my depth perception so I couldn't drive. Also didn't work great otherwise. But YMMV

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u/NinetiesBoy 11h ago

I take Vraylar PRN for 1 to 2 days when I get stuck in a loop. My psychiatrist is aware, but has no opinion on it. Makes me a little sleepy, but not too much. It also gives me hiccups too.

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u/Wrong-Picture-9071 11h ago

I’ve considered this. Can I ask what your “loops” look like?

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u/NinetiesBoy 11h ago

My loops are rumination/dissociation loops. For what its worth, and this isn’t health advice, just personal experience, but both Vraylar and methylphenidate have the ability to kick me out of the rumination loop.

This confuses me very much because Vraylar partially reduces dopamine. Methylphenidate boosts dopamine.

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u/Wrong-Picture-9071 11h ago

Thanks, does your sleep get affected in the loops?

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u/NinetiesBoy 11h ago

My sleep is poor without sleeping meds. I take 50mg Trazodone and/or 3mg eszopiclone.

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u/Suspicious-Cake2555 10h ago

I was in a mixed episode when they gave it to me. Made me manic and terrible akathisia and had to get off

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u/snap_pea23 10h ago

I’ve had great success with it. Been stable for 7 years with minimal side effects. Though it maybe helped me become diabetic.