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Olanzapine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

Brand names: Zyprexa, Zyprexa Zydis, Zyprexa Relprevv, Zyprexa Intramuscular

Olanzapine has an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 from a total of 1,096 reviews on Drugs.com. 47% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 32% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Olanzapine

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Eri...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • June 24, 2020

For Depressive Psychosis "Would seriously avoid olanzapine, as I totally lost my personality, feelings, and enjoyment in life. It has had a massive effect on my memory and IQ. I used to be really outgoing and quick-witted. It really has been a chemical lobotomy. Devastated! I am currently coming off of it with the help of a doctor. PLEASE BE CAREFUL, THIS IS A DANGEROUS DRUG!"

1 / 10
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  • 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!"

9 / 10
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  • Lil...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 30, 2018

Olanzapine for Depression "I have never been a fan of antidepressants as I feel they are a bandaid for underlying problems. I am starting to think differently. My doctor put me on 2.5 mg along with 0.5 Xanax. After years of feeling depressed and hopeless, I now have more energy, sleep well at night, waking up feeling great. I have also gained weight, which I needed to do. I give Zyprexa 10 stars."

8 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Row...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 27, 2015

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."

9 / 10
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  • Sal...
  • December 9, 2018

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."

9 / 10
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  • Cwi...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 4, 2020

For Insomnia "I'm back to leave another review after being on olanzapine for a couple of months. I started taking 10 mg, now I take 15 mg. So the issue I was so scared of was weight gain. When I started taking it, I was 80 pounds, very sick and unhealthy. It helped me gain back my normal weight, back to 100-105 lbs. Other than when I first started taking it, it hasn't had an effect on my hunger or weight anymore. I think it can cause weight gain if you allow it to. If you exercise and eat normal, weight gain shouldn't be an issue for you. The reason I rate this a 9 is because it does make it hard for me to get up and going like I used to prior to taking this drug, but I'd pick that over a sleepless night any day."

9 / 10
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  • Jak...
  • 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."

10 / 10
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  • 20...
  • September 10, 2008

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."

8 / 10
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  • Cke...
  • May 3, 2017

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."

10 / 10
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63 Report
  • che...
  • February 1, 2011

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."

8 / 10
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  • Vic...
  • 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 make the right choice. With mental illness, decision-making can be impaired, so listen to the guidance of the people around you and especially professionals. Don't be scared (like I was)."

10 / 10
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  • Tok...
  • September 26, 2020

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I feel very sleepy, very tired. I got a brain tumor. It might be a side effect of Zyprexa or hydrochlorothiazide, a water pill. Because of Zyprexa, I gained a lot of weight and got high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol."

1 / 10
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  • Cla...
  • 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."

10 / 10
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  • bip...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 8, 2015

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."

8 / 10
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  • AAa...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • June 19, 2019

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."

10 / 10
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  • Gem...
  • January 4, 2023

Olanzapine for Depression "If you want to lose your good emotions and connections to the world, then take this poison. I'm not sure why you would want that, though. You'll get obese on this crud, horrible, torturous withdrawals that will last years. Who in their right mind would invent something like this? Only a psychopath."

1 / 10
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  • Pud...
  • April 12, 2008

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."

8 / 10
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  • Jac...
  • September 11, 2019

For Agitation "Not sure what to think of this drug. It's really helped my wife's anxiety and panic episodes. And I completely understand how this is prescribed for insomnia. She sleeps all the time, loves napping, hard out-cold sleep. But she has gained a ton of weight. Obsessed with food all the time. Fantasizes about it and texts me about it. We go out to eat and on date nights all the time now. But she's gone from 115 lbs to now well over 200. Everyone comments on how much more relaxed and happy she is. But her life is about kicking back, Netflix, and being a total couch potato. She feels it's just what she needs. She gave away all of her old clothes and has no plan on losing. But I feel she's going to get much larger. I truthfully have no qualms with her being fat, it's simply the dramatic change came out of left field with this medication. Never envisioned being married to a 300 lb woman. Be warned, it's no joke. She's on 15 mg, btw."

6 / 10
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  • Wor...
  • 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."

1 / 10
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  • dor...
  • 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."

1 / 10
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  • hih...
  • October 15, 2012

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."

6 / 10
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86 Report
  • Zen...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 16, 2020

For Agitation "I started 5 days ago at 2.5 mg, going up to 5 mg tonight. Treatment-resistant depression, possibly bipolar 2, OCD, constant anxiety with paralyzing racing thoughts/panic upon waking in the morning. I've been on everything including ECT/TMS full round. On Vyvanse and Klonopin for a long time, Vyvanse only works to calm my mind for about 3 hours, then I get super anxious and take the Klonopin. Cautiously optimistic, so far no panic upon waking, chest doesn't feel so tight, sleeping through the night, racing thoughts seem to be a bit calmer... oh, and I went to a store and didn't feel paranoid that everyone was watching me... we shall see."

8 / 10
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  • Kj9...
  • January 11, 2021

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I was given 20 mg Zyprexa in the hospital. This drug is horrible. The side effects hit me hard: severe dizziness, dry mouth. Now down to 5 mg, I feel like my life is draining out of me with sweats, dizziness, trouble doing anything. It's not like I just dropped to 5 mg. I went 7 days at 20 mg, 7 days at 15 mg, 7 days at 10 mg, 7 days at 7.5 mg, and I'm currently on 5 mg a day, and I feel like screaming. I wish I had never been introduced to this med. Sorry."

1 / 10
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  • Anx...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • April 30, 2025

"I just slept 13 hours, and I feel like I could sleep another 13 hours. It makes you a zombie and gives me no motivation... none to get up and do anything. I’m losing my speech, words I don’t know where anything is. I woke up after 10 hours of sleep, made my kids lunch, they went to school, and I slept another 3 hours. I never suffered from insomnia except for the time I was taking SSRIs. I miss myself and who I was before I took this medication. I was a good dad, coach, now I suffer permanent brain damage where I can’t take care of myself. I just sleep and exist."

5 / 10
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  • joy...
  • 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."

10 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.