Olanzapine for Depression User Reviews (Page 5)

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2019

"Olanzapine on its own was not particularly effective for depression. I didn't enjoy anything, and this didn't change that. It also made me lazy, unmotivated, and tired. At the 20 mg dose, it caused sexual side effects. I think it is more effective for acute mania than acute depression."

• MEK...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2020

"Olanzapine was prescribed for my dad. He has dementia and is depressed and agitated. After just a few weeks, he ended up in the hospital vomiting and unable to eat. The drug had stopped his bowels from working. He had to have a tube suck out the blockages. It took over a week for things to even begin to get normal. This is a horrible drug."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 9, 2019

"Added 2.5 mg to Viibryd. I was only going to take it when I need to, but after only 3 days of trial, my depression has lifted so well that I want to keep going on it daily. I weigh myself every day, and if I see some changes, I'll only use it occasionally."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 12, 2020

"Olanzapine at first made me so sedated I couldn't function well, but it was better than my racing thoughts, anxiety, and depression from it all. Olanzapine calmed my mind eventually. I've messed with the dose a couple of times, but I've been on it now for almost a month. No weight gain, I think my hair is thinning a bit, but that could also be due to stress from being anxious 24/7. I also take 20 mg of Prozac as well, which I'm in the beginning three weeks of taking, and my anxiety has soared, hoping all of my anxiety goes away or at least is manageable so I can function normally and irrational thoughts and fears go away. I will be posting again after I've been on both medications for a month or so. Hopefully, this helps other people! Also, PS, when my Olanzapine dose went down, I had terrible shaking, did anyone else on here have that?"

• Dee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 8, 2020

"I have been on olanzapine for about 3 years, and now I’m weaning off the medicine since April of 2020. At first, I was feeling okay, but when I was completely off the medicine, I experienced terrible withdrawal symptoms. I’m dealing with nausea, restlessness, and terrible insomnia. Don’t get on this med! Read about olanzapine before you start taking it."

• Lar...
• November 20, 2016

"I've been on this drug for a manic episode. I was given 15 mg, which did wipe out the mania. Now I'm on the other side, the depressed side. I asked for Prozac, but the doctors insisted that a low dose of olanzapine would stabilize the depression. My depression is reactive: I sold my house and moved to another state to be closer to my job. I have hardly any friends here as I'm starting over. It remains to be seen if this low dose at 2.5 mg will help with the depression."

• sam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2023

"I was prescribed Olanzapine 10 mg daily after trying many different antipsychotic and antidepressant combos. Over the course of 3-4 months of Olanzapine, I gained 50 lbs. I was so horrified and in even more mental distress because I already struggled with low self-esteem. I went from 115 pounds to 165 pounds, and I had never felt worse in my life. It did not help my depression at all whatsoever, and I made my doctor take me off the medication."

• Sjf...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2018

"I was on olanzapine and fluoxetine for depression, and it helped with my depression, but the olanzapine was far too sedating and made me feel emotionally numb and indifferent. I was also on Vyvanse for ADD at the time, and it essentially eliminated the effect of the Vyvanse. It also increased my appetite significantly, and I ended up putting on 10 lbs in a month and a half, so I stopped taking it and had no issues with any withdrawal symptoms. Overall, it helped with my depression somewhat, but it didn’t give me any benefit apart from being not depressed and emotionally numb."

• mat...
• September 17, 2015

"I started this with my Zoloft and Klonopin about 6 days ago. I just had one setback, feel pretty good so far. I do get splitting headaches, but I don't know if it's from this. I'm on 5 mg at night, and can sleep now. It causes a dry mouth, but tolerable. Sleep on and off in the morning, breasts are sore and getting bigger. Going to stick this out a little longer."

• Kna...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2020

"Took olanzapine for 7 days at 5 mg and then 5 days at 2.5 mg. Developed severe immune intolerance to it, with aching pain in lymph nodes and swelling of my face. Decided to just stop the drug yesterday. Hope I don’t suffer withdrawal after such a short time. Terrible drug."

• Ola...
• February 10, 2018

"Olanzapine isn't as bad as it is depicted by many people here, which I guess is mostly because I've been on it only for 3 weeks and on a fairly low dose of 5 mg. The positive effects I've found are that it suppresses unnecessary and stressful circling thoughts and makes you focus on reality. On the other hand, it has subtle side effects such as sleepiness and fatigue (when first taking it), weight gain (which is I guess sorta good in my case since I'm underweight), and some slight extrapyramidal symptoms and spasms. It can also make you feel emotionless, like your head is empty and you keep zoning out in the middle of things. All in all, I suppose this drug would be useful for some other conditions, but this one isn't for me; I think I've been misdiagnosed."

• Ann...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 27, 2021

Olanzapine "Can cause major weight gain. I gained at least 50 pounds taking this drug. It makes you really overweight. If you are on it, exercise every day and control your food intake. Probably find other ways. It is a big damper in the healing process."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2021

Olanzapine "Do not take this medication unless you have a very specific need for it, namely, schizophrenia. I've struggled with severe depression, anxiety, and sleep issues for more than 8 years and was prescribed this because my psychiatrist had nothing left to try. While it did help my sleep and anxiety for about 4 months, it had diminishing returns to the point that it ended up making my sleep and anxiety worse, along with the depression. I'm 4 months off this drug and life is an utter nightmare. I can't completely blame this drug for my current state as I've been constantly going downhill for years, but this drug definitely overall made me feel worse. Beware if you have sleep issues, because this might help for a little while but will likely stop at some point and your brain will no longer be able to get into deep sleep on its own. I guess if you're suicidal, maybe then it's worth a go because what do you have to lose?"

• tyh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2021

Olanzapine "It isn't a joke when people say that this is weight gain in a pill. I was constantly hungry, like I could eat a horse. Pretty sure I developed an eating disorder too. No positive effects, and the cherry on top-the withdrawal was an absolute disaster."

• Bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2021

Olanzapine "Was given this for agitation along with severe panic/borderline psychotic anxiety and paranoia in the psych hospital. I’ve gained some weight and am tired, but I wouldn’t trade my mood stability for the world. I still struggle with severe depression on top of having chronic fatigue syndrome and do hope to be put back on a stimulant for that, but I am overall very pleased with where my head is at. If you struggle with severe mental illness unresponsive to the usual first-line treatments or severe panic, agitation, and insomnia, this may help a lot, even if short term or as an as-needed basis. Am also taking 100mg desipramine plus 10mg lexapro for major depression, and 50mg trazodone and vistaril as needed for anxiety. I am myself again, partially thanks to this medicine."

• Gin...
• August 31, 2021

"This drug ruined my life, impossible to come out of it. I had severe insomnia, hardly any sleep for 4 weeks, the anxiety was out of this world. I’ve never felt so poorly in my life. Please read a lot before you take this poison, it should be only given to people who really need it, not for sleeping problems. I’m now seeing a psychiatrist to help me out of this mess. I used it for 7 years on 2.5 mg. Once you're on it, it's impossible to get off, even if you tapered it slowly. The insomnia is horrific, it’s like the body forgot how to sleep by itself, awful. Please do not take."

• MBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2021

Olanzapine "I've only been on this medication for a week to treat my depression, insomnia, and desire for weight gain. It's done its job so far. Overthinking is at an all-time low, my appetite is on 10, and I've gained weight, which has always been difficult for me. It does help me fall asleep rather fast and stay asleep. The only downside is that I am ALWAYS overwhelmingly sleepy to where I can barely function."

• Dep...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 29, 2022

"After a year of taking olanzapine, I developed an oculogyric crisis, which I have to say was the most embarrassing and debilitating condition I’ve ever had. My eyes would flick upwards uncontrollably for hours at a time. I had to come off this immediately, as movement disorders are common with antipsychotics. I went down to 5 mg every two days for two weeks, then nothing, and I’ve had no withdrawals whatsoever. I was so terrified after reading these reviews, but I guess I was lucky that I’ve had absolutely nothing. Please don’t be scared to come off this."

• Kay...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 5, 2021

"I've been using this for years for general anxiety disorder, insomnia, and depression. It works great for all my symptoms, especially helping with my withdrawal from Lyrica. I've been on all classes of antidepressants. Using 15 mg currently. Bad history with any drugs. I've been afraid of everything's unwanted fear, not knowing the reasons. Be careful using Seroquel, it can be dangerous."

• Don...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 16, 2022

Olanzapine "Worst experience of my life. It has completely debilitated me and sucked my soul out. It's a benzo, which is why it's so hard to get off of. Do your homework on this drug before you end up lifeless like me."

• Ari...
• August 18, 2016

"I've been on pretty much everything for anxiety. Had olanzapine 2.5 mg, which I started taking for a sedative. I currently blacked out and broke my jaw while having a panic attack, which led me to pass out and smash my jaw, so I can't eat or gain weight, which drew me to this med, as I had taken it before but didn't like the weight gain. It's been 2 years since I've been on it, and it's a smaller dose as well (used to be on 5 mg twice a day). Makes me feel like any other antipsychotics: hungry, tired, groggy, etc., but it does work for anxiety. I think when I'm finally able to eat again, I'll go off this med and back on benzos (as I don't want the weight gain), which I think are the best for anxiety, although highly addictive and not to be abused! GAD/Panic Disorder."

• beb...
• November 14, 2010

"I'm on 5 mg of olanzapine (as a when required medicine). It's great with sleep! You are out like a light, bearing in mind I have insomnia. Although I've experienced elevated prolactin levels, so I'm probably going to have to discontinue it."

• Luv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2021

Olanzapine "I gained weight on this medication. I could tell I would have trouble controlling my appetite while I was taking this medication. I've been on other antipsychotics, and this is the only one that causes fast weight gain for me. I'm currently on 15 mg, but will soon ask my doctor to switch to something that won't cause weight gain, like Lamictal."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 2, 2022

"I’ve been on 2.5 mg for about 6 weeks, my insomnia is getting worse, and I feel a sense of being lost quite often. My psychiatrist wanted to take the dosage up, and I asked her not to. Think I’m going to make my own decision to get off this drug. I had hoped it would help with my depression, and it did for a few weeks, so I feel it’s had its ups and downs with me. I don’t recommend this drug, I’d rather deal with the insomnia I already had than deal with the worsening insomnia this drug has caused. Also, I’d rather deal with the depression than feeling lost all the time. I can’t speak for anyone else, however, I do advise using extreme caution when taking this drug. I choose to take myself off it, trust your own mind and body. When it doesn’t seem right, make the change you need to. I wish you all the best of luck as I know everyone is different when it comes to the side effects."

• And...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2021

"I took olanzapine 5 mg for 20 days. I had lots of side effects: numb tongue, I talked and my tongue was slow. I had a strange feeling in my arms and a general numbness. Intellectually, I felt I was blocked."