Olanzapine for Schizoaffective Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• RPH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2021

"I started taking this medication while held in a psych ward. It was either take it or you stay, so I took it. It caused me severe leg pain and restlessness. Before, I was on Seroquel but was tired of the numbed feeling and lethargy that the Seroquel caused. I was on 10 mg of Olanzapine for two months, and my psychiatrist took me off immediately due to side effects. Now I have severe withdrawal symptoms. I have to chew gum constantly to keep my mind busy because now I clench my jaw constantly. I did not like this medication. I've taken pretty much every one you can think of, this one was the worst."

• Hal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 15, 2021

"Was on this for 3 years, which was a cognitively impaired blur. Now, after 11 months of tapering, I'm having such bad complications on it I have to get off. I'm terrified of the insomnia I know I'm going to face because of how severe it is as a withdrawal symptom. If you are going to take this med, PLEASE do your research and know yourself well enough, otherwise, you may end up in a seriously dysfunctional situation because of it."

• vic...
• December 25, 2016

"It's a miracle for someone else to feel better (which I'm happy they do), but it does not work for me. I feel empty these days with a lack of motivation to do anything. My hallucinations and voices don't go away that easily. I still find myself seeing shadows and hearing voices telling me words that aren't real. I'm not worried about the weight gain, I just want the hallucinations and voices to go away. I am diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which now makes me doubt it. My mood is stable (how others see me on the outside), normal to everyone, but it's like putting myself to sleep and becomes even slower. Aripiprazole was bad for me, as it made me feel restless and suicidal."

• Jem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2021

"Very effective in treating my obsessive thoughts, actions, and behavior. It makes me feel very chill and normal. My thought process has slowed down, not that racing mind in the night. Everyday tasks and social contact have eased. I'm satisfied."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2020

"I discovered that my mother was suffering from delusional disorder only after the symptoms became much worse. She used to have episodes of extreme violence and agitation. But after about a week of taking medication, her situation improved significantly. It has been almost 4 months now. She has had no psychotic episodes so far. She has also gained a lot of weight, which is a side effect. Overall, the drug proved to be very effective."

• del...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2020

"I switched to olanzapine after being on Seroquel. It makes me sleep and eat a lot (I don't mind the eating, I was at 150 pounds before taking antipsychotics), but after almost a month, I'm starting to be more awake, but it does not completely eliminate my psychotic experiences. So I'm going to switch to another one. But overall, I like olanzapine better than Seroquel and it seemed to work a little bit better for me than most people."

• Oak...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 16, 2020

"I have been on olanzapine for many years now, and it helped me not hear voices. The downside of this med is that it gave me panic attacks that last for hours. Use with extreme caution and ask your doctor about lowering the dose."

• tra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2023

"Amazing for my severe agitation and anxiety. I used to rip my hair out in anger and be violent. I tried so many antipsychotics, including olanzapine, but I only took it for like a day or two because it raised my blood sugar. So we looked for different drugs and eventually went back to olanzapine. I have sky-high blood sugars and need metformin and insulin. I can't walk long distances and need help getting out of bed. In general, I look drunk, but it's worth it. I'd rather wait for side effects to go away, even if it takes a while, rather than struggle with agitation and anxiety."

• h8n...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 30, 2024

"Wasn't too bad tbh as I didn't have terrible side effects, it just didn't do anything. The first day I took it (10mg), I crawled my way up the stairs, passing out multiple times. I then slept for 2 days, and then after that, it never hit like that again. Increased to 15mg for over a year. I was extremely depressed and suicidal on it, though (more than my usual extreme amount). It did absolutely nothing in regards to being an antipsychotic. Had no difference in mood stabilizing or reducing any part of my schizophrenia. I would recommend it still to others as it is actually really good for most people and one of the only ones I trust."

• tri...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 3, 2025

"Been on it for 6-7 years on and off. Use as monotherapy, 5 mg at night, and works for schizoaffective/bipolar 1. Been on Abilify, risperidone, Invega. Olanzapine has been much better, as it hasn't caused horrible akathisia and the anxiety and suicidality that come with me taking those. Seroquel was good but didn't work for me. Have been on 2.5 mg olanzapine with an additional 1000 mg lithium in the past, for 2 years with success, but we think I have become used to it, so now 5 mg unfortunately. We also see the lithium does very little, so not taking that anymore for 1 year. Olanzapine has caused weight gain (65 kg unmedicated, now 85 kg), pre-diabetes, sedation, headaches, psoriasis, and possibly/likely: ED, cardiovascular issues, OCD, depression, digestion issues. Be careful with prolonged strenuous exercising with any antipsychotic. Would give this drug an 8 if it didn't cause significant weight gain. I think this drug is making me quite sick though in terms of overall health over these many years."

• Cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2014

Olanzapine "Zyprexa- It is not a sedating medicine at all. It does nothing for anxiety and paranoia. It is extremely effective for panic and depression problems, though. That's the only thing I commend this medicine for. The weight gain from this medicine is worse than any other psychiatric medicine. It, to me, feels like an acute medicine for panic attacks, but that's all I would say it's beneficial towards. The trick to this medicine is it is not sedating, but it stops the central nervous system from freaking out, but you don't actually feel sedated or calmer from it."

• Bob...
• May 29, 2022

"Terrible drug. Jokes on them though, I don't even take it as of this year. It is not as bad as Invega, albeit. Now I have to push myself harder in the gym and take all these supplements to get my dick back to normal. Hey, psychoaffective is just that: psycho, but effective. Peace and love."

• ger...
• March 24, 2013

Olanzapine "Medication was effective in treating symptoms but caused increased appetite, resulting in extreme weight gain (over 40 pounds)."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2020

"After my experience, I would have never started, and my advice is to get off if it isn't already too late."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 24, 2012

Olanzapine "Very good so far. Not nearly as sedating as Seroquel. Maybe a little more hungry, but also much more active, cycling, long walks, etc., which is good."

• Anonymous
• February 5, 2012

Olanzapine "I loved this medicine. It covered all of my symptoms and did not give a lot of side effects."

• Anonymous
• October 5, 2011

Olanzapine "I had a bad experience with Zyprexa. It made me very drowsy, and I gained a lot of weight. Maybe good for someone else. I did not find it helpful in my situation."

• Anonymous
• November 8, 2011

Olanzapine "I gained 90 pounds when I took this medication and, as a result, got diabetes."

• ero...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2014

"Olanzapine significantly cleared my head. I am plus 10 kg. I am not sure if the pills are the cause, but I feel no emotions. Very hard to find motivation to do something when nothing is enjoyable."

• don...
• December 22, 2022

"I have been taking olanzapine for years. It has helped me so much."

• sab...
• December 28, 2022

"I have been taking olanzapine for 4 years. Over that time, it was titrated up to 45 mg. This seems to work for me. I do experience weight gain. I do take haloperidol 15 mg as well."

• Anonymous
• January 30, 2012

Olanzapine "I love it! Makes me feel human again. My only side effect is sleepiness."

• Mar...
• April 24, 2021

"It's an awful drug that brings out more issues than the illness."

• i...
• November 5, 2016

Olanzapine "It worked very well and even boosted my mood. That is, until I had a seizure. The doctors presumed it was caused by this medication."

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 20, 2024

"Great job with the effects of this drug. It helps my symptoms, and I use it more effectively at night, just before bedtime."