Olanzapine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Weaned
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 6, 2023

For Insomnia "I went through a mental health crisis, with suicidal ideation and hadn't slept more than about 30 mins to about an hour a night. I was a total mess. I was hospitalised voluntarily. The psychiatrist started me on 10mg of olanzapine and 10mg of melatonin, and for the first time that night actually slept. It was also a very good mood stabiliser. I was started on a range of antidepressants that weren't very effective, so luckily olanzapine kept me hanging in there. I saw my psychiatrist regularly. Eventually we found a regime of antidepressants that worked - mirtazapine at night and venlafaxine in the morning. I was still continuing with the olanzapine and the melatonin. I eventually discussed I'd like to slowly come off the olanzapine now the antidepressants were working. Over the course of about 3 months I tapered down slowly. Overall I was on it for 10 months. It did its job well, I had no tapering side effects. So I'd recommend it to others if needed. Get a good psychiatrist too."

• Lil
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 5, 2021

For Agitation "I found olanzapine to be a fantastic alternative to benzos for agitation. I wasn't keen on taking benzos again due to the risk of becoming addicted. I find olanzapine kicks in quite quickly and definitely helps to calm me down if I'm feeling agitated or anxious. I take this as well as a tetracyclic antidepressant. I find it does make it hard to wake up in the morning, but the plus is that I get a great night's sleep on this medication. Weight gain is a side effect, but I was underweight before taking it, so that worked well for me. Of course, it's always good to be aware of long-term side effects for atypical APs, and I'm personally tapering off with my doctor now that my mental health is improving."

• Salsa
• December 9, 2018

Zyprexa (olanzapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on olanzapine for 5 years. Keeps my mood stable, no irritability, no heavy sinking terrible depression. I went off it for only four months without a doctor's permission, and I went manic, talking too much, lots of energy, extremely painful headaches, and delusions of people trying to check me out, little nagging voices that scared me and annoyed me. Psychosis. All the other bipolar people I met at the psych hospital didn't have psychosis. I only shared the psychosis experience with one man with schizophrenia. Mind you, this medicine, for me at 10 mg, really works effectively for my severe case of mania, depression, and psychosis, all in one full swoop. Once I'm stable, I can function just like any other person, just carrying a heavy body around from when my body metabolism acts up on the medicine from age 16-19. Now, at age 21, weight is pretty stable. This medicine DOES work. But you should only use it if it's for a case like mine."

• Anonymous
• January 18, 2009

Zyprexa (olanzapine) for Schizophrenia "I've been taking Zyprexa for just over a year now and have seen dramatic improvements in my life. I used to be incredibly paranoid of people, was hearing voices, and was delusional about my physical health. I'm on 20 mg of Zyprexa, and most of my symptoms have cleared. Some of them remain, but they're much more tolerable than they used to be. The only drawbacks I have noticed are weight gain and slowed reactions, but I'd rather live through those side effects than experience what I did before treatment."

• RowdyB
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 27, 2015

Zyprexa (olanzapine) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was prescribed Zyprexa as a one-pill cure for my OCD, insomnia, anxiety, and manic mood disorder. I am steadily increasing the Zyprexa dosage, starting with 2.5mg. At 5mg, I can state that my OCD is practically gone. I still have the desire to keep things orderly, but I am not getting frustrated or angry. I can now leave things to do for another day without obsessing over and over in my mind. No changes for the insomnia or anxiety at this dosage. I will post as the dosage increases and the symptoms are relieved. I have no negative effects to report at 5mg Zyprexa."

• cheer...
• February 1, 2011

Zyprexa (olanzapine) for Depression "Found this medication very effective in my withdrawals from both alcohol and weed. It stops my racing thoughts and keeps me calm. However, it does somewhat make you zombie-like and unable to feel emotions."

• Zoe
• April 18, 2019

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have borderline personality disorder, 35 years of age, diagnosed in 2016, but didn't really understand it until 2018 and was in denial and drinking for 6 years. I'm on venlafaxine (Effexor), and it was the first drug where my depression was lifted, but I was still looking at trying to leave the house. Come 2019, stopped drinking, started smoking weed, had a hypomanic and hallucination episode while in the hospital, and a good psychiatrist gave me olanzapine, and it changed my life, this was the drug I've been looking for (I used to be anti-drugs until things got so bad I couldn't work). He gave it to me for a manic episode because he said I wasn't acting like myself. Only on olanzapine 3 days, and I noticed a difference only in one day. I had to get the medicine special ordered and took it after a week out of the hospital. So I saw the difference in that one week, nothing triggered me, wasn't obsessively thinking and racing mind, no depression, no rage or anger. Life-changing!"

• 20...
• September 10, 2008

Zyprexa (olanzapine) for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed in 1989. I was an 18-year-old boy at the time. After several years of misdiagnosis, I was diagnosed in the mid-'90s with bipolar disorder. I've been on a lot of different medications, most I don't remember very well. But in 2003, I was hospitalized for one month and put on Zyprexa. I got my life back, I am now married, own my own home, and have my own business. I am now where I want to be. The downside is I went from 180 lbs to 240 lbs in 5 years. I am now borderline diabetic, and my cholesterol level is very high. I am now not on Zyprexa. The medicine did the job it is supposed to, but my doctor and I are looking for a medication similar to Zyprexa without the weight gain."

• Clari...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 13, 2024

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I never considered myself a paranoid schizophrenic. It wasn't until my mid-20s that I got diagnosed with bipolar disorder and severe depression. I have tried so many drugs, and I always quit them because they never worked for me. I was using methamphetamines, and it really changed my brain chemistry. It made me into someone I didn't recognize. It wasn't until I received this medication (after many trial and error doctor appointments) that I began to love life again. I have never felt more like myself. Calm, happy, and motivated to do life. This is a miracle drug if you have severe anxiety and especially sleep problems. I take 15mg at nighttime. This medicine nearly saved my life and my sanity."

• Petra
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2023

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "This is a very toxic dangerous drug! It has destroyed my health. Caused akathisia, extreme exhaustion, muscle seizures, extreme hair loss, fainting spells, low blood pressure, diarrhea, panic attacks, depression, dry skin, hot sweats, blurred vision, light sensitivity, insomnia, and cognitive issues. Don't take this medication, you will regret it. The maker, Eli Lilly, has been sued many times for damages this drug has caused. It has caused diabetes, heart attacks, pancreatitis, skin rashes, strokes, sudden death, and much much more. It should be outlawed but big pharma runs everything! Zyprexa sucks! I would have rated it a -10 if I had the option."

• dorde...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 9, 2019

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Coerced to take this; gave me permanent anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure). Avoid. I'd avoid this whole class of medications, to be honest with you. If you're in the throes of a violent psychotic episode, take one of the newer ones (Vraylar, Rexulti) that don't totally block dopamine. If you're not psychotic, acknowledge that taking these may sabotage your brain and ruin your life."

• hihityu
• October 15, 2012

Zyprexa (olanzapine) for Depression "I take 5 mg of Zyprexa daily. I'm almost the entire day sleepy and have the feeling of doing nothing. I cannot worry because I have to sleep for about 15 hours daily. But I have tried everything out there, and this is the best at this moment."

• Worst...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2020

For Depression "Olanzapine is the worst drug ever. Made my depression even more severe, made me feel numb and like a vegetable. And the withdrawal period is the worst, even after taking it only for 4 days! Glad it's over."

• bipolar
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 8, 2015

Zyprexa (olanzapine) for Bipolar Disorder "Zyprexa is the only antipsychotic that doesn’t make me feel like a zombie! I kept my personality and my energy. It almost feels like I don’t take an antipsychotic. I take 7.5 mg, because my psychiatrist told me that when you take less than 10 mg daily, the risk of metabolic syndrome is low. It’s very good for treating mania and it augments the effect of my antidepressant. The only downside is that it’s a little bit difficult to wake up."

• Victor
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 17, 2023

For Depression "Take it now, if you finally want to beat depression!! Don't be silly and take advantage of the fact that we don’t live in medieval times anymore and we have science and pharmacological intervention to treat things once thought incurable. The opportunity to dig yourself out of the BOTTOMLESS PIT you’re in right now is in your hands, so do the right choice. With mental illness decision-making can be impaired so listen to guidance of the people around you and especially professionals. Don't be scared (like i was)"

• AAano
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 19, 2019

Zyprexa (olanzapine) for Schizophrenia "It has some initial side effects like feeling dizzy. But all in all, after more than 7 years, I totally like the drug. I have been on 5 mg for about 5 years now. I took 5 mg all through my pregnancy based on doctor's advice, and I gave birth to a healthy baby girl 2 years ago. I was also able to breastfeed because the drug was not found in my breast milk due to the low dosage I was using, according to the doctor's report."

• Jillpp
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2024

Zyprexa (olanzapine) for Major Depressive Disorder "I was put on Zyprexa 12.5 mg this past summer when I was hospitalized. Along with Nortriptyline, it saved my life. I was constantly anxious and suicidal. Zyprexa does increase your appetite, but if you count calories, avoid binging, and take Metformin 500 mg twice daily, you don’t have to gain weight. I also exercise daily. Zyprexa worked on everything: Anxiety, depression, and insomnia. It’s mildly sedating, but won’t knock you out like Seroquel will. These meds are a tricky business, and I wish all of you well. Hang in there if you’re suffering."

• Ckelly
• May 3, 2017

Zyprexa (olanzapine) for Bipolar Disorder "OK, I've been on Zyprexa going on 7 months at 20 mg a day, and it's the best thing I've done to get help with bipolar disorder. The only downfall is the weight gain, but for me to stay sane and be happy, it's worth it. Since being on Zyprexa, I've been able to socialize again with other people and do not stay in my bedroom all day and night. Thank God for helping me."

• Nat
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2019

For Depression "Olanzapine made me feel terrible. I was prescribed it for a depressive episode and quickly found (within a few days) that I felt worse. I was in a constant state of feeling despair, panic, and anxious as a result of it. I then went back to a different doctor who immediately withdrew this drug (luckily it had only been a few days). I was then prescribed Escitalopram, which I used for a couple of months. Olanzapine is an extremely strong drug that was wholly inappropriate to my treatment."

• Broke...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2019

For Insomnia "There have to be another way to get in sleep mode, meditation and a nice routine of exercise and diet. However, when I took this drug, I sleep. I really don't want it, but it's the only salvation. Now I'm fat, and just a month has passed. But I sleep!"

• sleep
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 24, 2019

For Insomnia "For side effects, how about dreaming? Now I have long dreams, funny part of this drug. However, I wish I had another way to get sleep because the other side effect of olanzapine is getting fat, which is horrible."

• Jakes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2017

For Agitation "My 9-year-old son was placed on this medication a few weeks ago because of violent outbursts, agitation, insomnia, and anxiety. He has high-functioning autism. He had been placed on Risperdal with few improvements. Zyprexa has been a game changer for my son Jake. He takes 5 mg about an hour before bed. He is sleeping through the night (in 9 years, he has never slept through the night). He is happy and content. No more violent outbursts. He is eating nonstop (he would barely eat prior to medication). Very happy with the results that Jake is seeing on this medication, and he has had no side effects outside of being hungry and eating more."

• Zyprexa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 5, 2022

Zyprexa (olanzapine) for Schizophrenia "I am probably the longest exisiting user of Zyprexa in the world. I have been on this medication for over 22 years, since I was 18. It has tremendous side effects on my body. I have experienced all the symptoms on the side effect lists in my life. The only beneficial things I get from using this drug and Citalopram as well are that I eat and sleep very well. The voices have not gone away but they have changed. I feel like I have been reincarnated. I don't look or feel the same as I do anymore. I can hardly recognise myself in my Facebook photos. I am still alive and 40 now, still living with my own family and doing my life as I please. I am on a Disability Pension, which I am grateful for as I have the correct illness to get this sort of payment to live on. I have been on and off in and out of hospital since first hearing voices. It's been extremely tough in my life. I just need peace of mind. Keep taking the medications as prescribed and don't cut and change it as I have done before."

• Puddles
• April 12, 2008

Zyprexa (olanzapine) for Bipolar Disorder "Zyprexa changed my life. Before the medication, I was suicidal. I had a very difficult time with everyday life. I was tearing my family apart. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in December 2002. My life has been much more stable, and my relationships with family members have improved dramatically."

• joyou...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 18, 2015

For Depression "This medication has been a lifesaver for me. After suffering severe situational depression and three serious suicide attempts, I was put on 5 mg. It took away anxiety. I'm also on venlafaxine, which just wasn't enough for me. I have not put on weight and eat healthy. I have tried to come off, and anxiety and low mood came back."