Olanzapine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Pho...
• June 23, 2021

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was put on this drug because the doctor thought I was bipolar. Three years later, two psychiatrists have told me I need to get off of the Zyprexa ASAP. I was first put on 15 mg, which made me tired when I woke up. All day, I felt drugged out, and I gained 40 pounds. I am now only taking 10 mg and am lowering my dosage to 5 mg to finally get off of this drug for good. The withdrawal symptoms I have noticed from getting off Zyprexa are increased anxiety and difficulty sleeping. The best way to get off of Zyprexa with minimal problems is to taper slowly. I would rather deal with the withdrawal symptoms than being drugged out to the point I can’t function. I also take this with another antidepressant and am convinced I had symptoms similar to serotonin syndrome. Please use caution and only use this drug as a last resort option. It has a black box label for a reason. The long-term risks of staying on this drug include psychosis and medication-induced Parkinson’s disease."

• Pet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "After 20 years of suffering, and taking all kinds of antidepressants, my doctor prescribed olanzapine 5 mg/night. For anxiety, and for the so-called 'conditioned avoidance response,' as I was pretty miserable when driving or going out anywhere, felt like drowning, terrible. I did not expect much from the med, due to the tons of negative/mixed reviews. But it helped immediately, lights on, anxiety off, mood normal, sleep is super, all symptoms have gone, it's like a miracle."

• Glu...
• June 10, 2010

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Zyprexa for about 5 years. Started at 5 mg and am now at 2.5 or 1.25, depending on the day. This is for bipolar. I've tried to go off it (because I felt dulled and had a preoccupation with food) a few different times and had severe depression/anxiety symptoms recur. I also take Prozac (20 mg) and Lamictal (100 mg). I don't think the Lamictal does anything, but the Zyprexa seems to be the 'glue' that keeps me together. Weight gain was an issue, but I have recently lost 20 lbs through diet and exercise (and reducing dose). I would rather not have to take it, but it so greatly improves my quality of life that I feel I should stay on it."

• Dru...
• February 15, 2020

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I was on Zyprexa for 1 month and 1 week, and in that time, I gained 20+ pounds and did not help with any of the symptoms I was having. Didn't help with voices, delusions, paranoia. Nothing. Was really a complete waste of time, and to top it off, ruined how I look. (I used to be a very thin 160-pound male and am now 220...) That's from all the antipsychotics I've tried combined, Zyprexa being the worst one for weight. I give Zyprexa a 2 only because it did sedate me a bit, relieving anxiety. I'm now on Loxapine, which is supposed to be weight neutral, but I'm still putting weight on from that a bit."

• Geo...
• November 28, 2019

For Paranoid Disorder "I have suffered from delusions since 2014 (5 years). This medication, olanzapine, for sure helps with psychosis better than risperidone and aripiprazole. So if you're looking for a sure fix to problems, then this medication is very useful. However, the side effects of this medication are long. In a year and a half, I have gained a bit of weight. I spent 9 months low on mood, suffering from persistent anhedonia and persistent nagging anxiety about the same things. This led me to dread the day when waking up. However, all was relieved with sertraline, other than the weight gain. The anxiety still comes, but it goes fast and changes the anxiety’s subject so it doesn’t just drone on. This medication, from my experience, is a very good baseline for psychotic disorders, it gets the job done and does so with some not-so-terrible side effects. I’m currently searching for a new antipsychotic as I’m tired of the same old side effects. I want something different for the next year or so. It does its job!!"

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 1, 2012

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I have tried many meds: Seroquel, Risperidone, Abilify. Seroquel had me peeing all night long, burning sensation like a urinary tract infection. Abilify sex was good but gave me anxiety, fast heart rate, lightheaded feeling, fainting, and insomnia. So far, Zyprexa is the best for me. Sex is okay, having a problem with sensual sensation, dizzy sometimes. Now I am on 2.5 mg, I still feel dizzy. Even without it, you feel better if you take the pill. Weight gain: 30 lb. Triglycerides high."

• Anonymous
• December 12, 2020

For Paranoid Disorder "Olanzapine has been, so far, very rewarding. I’ve been on it for 5 weeks after restarting it again after stopping briefly, and it helps with intrusive thoughts and incessant thinking. It calms the mind and allows for an outside thought approach to problems, like watching as an outsider instead of being in the problem. If anyone has been suggested to try it, I would recommend they do. I haven’t put on much weight and take 10 mg a day at night. It helps ease anxiety."

• Osk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Was on 30 mg olanzapine to get me down from a manic state - I have bipolar. Did the trick, but now I've been having side effects of panic attacks, anxiety, no appetite, bad thoughts, and can't sit still. Only been on it for 2 months. Dr. has been slowly getting me off of it so I can go back on quetiapine that I was on for 10 years. I had a previous doctor that took me off of it because I'm 75 years old, and he was afraid to keep me on quetiapine. Got a different Dr. as the other Dr. should've just left things alone. It has taken a year of this mess of changing medicines. I hope nobody has to go through what I've been through. I feel like I've lost a year of my life."

• Jim...
• August 22, 2022

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have had major depressive disorder pretty much all of my life. I am a 66-year-old male, been married 43 years, four children, successful career, but I have battled depression all my life. I had a recent bout, and it was a strong one, I began about 3 months ago. I tried increasing doses of Trintellix, Wellbutrin, and other things that did not work. I was put on fluoxetine 20, then 40 milligrams, and that started to help, but it just was not enough. My doctor upped my dosage to 60 mg, and it was just too much, caused major anxiety, and I had to bounce back to the 40 mg. About a week ago, I was put on 5 mg of olanzapine. Sounds too good to be true, but in only one week, I feel as normal as I have felt in a long, long time. They say, just like most medicines, it takes 4 to 6 weeks to reach optimal efficacy. But I also read where some people do see improvement in less than a week, and I was one of those fortunate ones. Olanzapine is working like a miracle for me, please don't be afraid to give it a try. Good luck."

• cel...
• January 27, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with very mild bipolar disorder and put on olanzapine. At first, it was like this drug restored me to myself - I was happy, creative, and optimistic for the first time in years, sleeping solidly, and my moods were stabilized. But after the first few weeks, I started developing anxiety, restless legs, and severe leg tremors. Yet my psychiatrist kept upping my dose. For three months, I was in an absolute hole, every minute lasting an hour, out of my mind frantic with anxiety, exercising like crazy, having violent leg tremors every time I sat down. Finally, I demanded to get off the medication, and we tapered it down over a month. I was able to relax, and the tremors and restless legs went away. But then I stopped sleeping entirely. In desperation, I got back on the lowest dose. I started sleeping again for another few months, but the anxiety, restless legs, and tremors are coming back. Now I'm unable to tolerate this drug but unable to sleep without it. I'm screwed!"

• Lia...
• August 23, 2015

For Schizophrenia "I have been on this medicine for about 2-3 weeks now, and although I missed a dose a couple of times, it has helped me greatly. Before going onto this medicine, I was awake for 3 days straight with racing thoughts, extreme anxiety, and agitation. I still have anxiety, but I feel more calm and collected. In terms of treating psychosis, I have given this medicine a 7/10 (so far) because although I am getting some paranoid thoughts still, it has enabled me to think more clearly and rationalize them better. They are nowhere near as intense as they were before starting this medicine. I was talking to objects and saying strange things to myself in the mirror, this no longer happens, and I feel more 'normal.' This medicine is great in a number of ways."

• Lou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 11, 2019

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have been on olanzapine for 9 months. I had psychosis and was started on it. I am back on a 10 mg dose - it was lowered to 7.5 mg recently because of weight gain during that time. I was incredibly anxious, agitated, had insomnia, began seeing things, was tearful, and my anger increased. I have only been back on the 10 mg for a couple of days, but I feel less agitated, am still seeing things, but it is lessening. I am less jumpy. I am less tearful, and my sleep is improving. I plan on staying at this dose because it did help me in the past before the lowered dose. The key to keeping a stable weight is healthy eating and exercise, like walking, I think. Olanzapine really helps, so for me, weight gain is something I'll try and deal with. It is said the longer one is on it, your appetite stabilizes. I don't want to feel like I did before, so I am sticking with it. I was diagnosed with EUPD (emotionally unstable personality disorder) 10 years ago. I am close to 40 years old."

• Mam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 31, 2020

For Depressive Psychosis "I have been on olanzapine for 12 months. Originally prescribed due to psychosis, brought on by acute stress. I thought I was psychic, getting messages from TV, radio, rapid thoughts. The past year has been very difficult, I fell into a deep depression, and I began using alcohol daily. The depression has eased, but I am left with crippling anxiety and depersonalization. If you have the option of avoiding this drug, please do. It takes ages to come off it, and lots of people struggle to sleep without it."

• ola...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 3, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking olanzapine for 2 years, and it helped me, but I gained a lot of weight to the point where my doctor and I agreed that I should get off it. I've been trying to get off this drug for 6 months and keep getting back on it because the withdrawal is so bad. I started having severe anxiety, racing thoughts, adrenaline attacks, and insomnia. I'm still trying to get off it. I wish someone would have told me that getting off this drug was hard, I wouldn't ever have gotten on it. Do not take this drug, it will mess you up!"

• Str...
• January 15, 2021

For Schizophrenia "This drug olanzapine has not helped me at all. My OB-GYN put me back on this medicine when I had my baby so I won’t get sick again, but I didn’t have any symptoms and I wasn’t taking anything for 2 years before I was pregnant or while I was pregnant. This is the worst medicine I have ever taken. It takes all of your energy away, I was paranoid taking the medicine, and I was so lazy. I don’t know who made this drug, but it made me feel slow. I wouldn’t recommend this drug to anyone."

• Bip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm bipolar 1 and have been through a bunch of different meds. Zyprexa was the first med I tried to get me down from a manic episode, which worked, but I went off of it because it was way too sedating. I was on 10 mg, then 5 mg. When I went off of it, I had a lot of anxiety from withdrawal. I then tried Rexulti, which messed up my sleep and gave me anxiety, and even when I went off of it, I was still waking up every day at 4 am and had awful anxiety. Then I tried Seroquel and Vraylar (bad restlessness). Finally, I decided to try Zyprexa again, but this time at 2.5 mg (subtherapeutic dose), and although I'm groggy in the morning, I overall am really happy with my choice. I fall asleep at 12 and sleep like a baby till 9 and don't have the awful anxiety in my chest anymore. I would say Zyprexa can be a great drug at a very low dose. I'm definitely more chilled out, but I prefer that to being anxious and unable to sleep."

• Ian...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2023

Olanzapine "Prescribed 2.5 mg at ER. Amazing 'rescue drug' needed desperately at the time to sleep. Had barely got sleep for a week, took the pill, and finally got some rest. Greatly reduced paranoia, delusions, and anxiety. Was on it for 11 days and quit cold turkey because I was getting better and noticed it slowing my thoughts and making my mind go blank. For example, needing to put a lot of effort into thinking. Minor withdrawal like headache, fatigue, anxiety, and sweat, but nothing too hard to handle. I'd recommend talking to your doctor and getting off of it ASAP if you no longer need it. Use it as a temporary solution because I could see how over time it can negatively impact someone. Oh, and while on it, your appetite will increase by ten times. Good luck all in finding relief!"

• sj1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2019

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I had a horrible, 6-day experience with this medication, Zyprexa. While it was prescribed to me primarily for sleep, which 5 mg was effective, it made my anxiety 10x worse with paranoia and tremors. It was the worst. It has been three nights without it now, and I still feel its effects of increased anxiety and a fog-like head. The physical symptoms ceased 48 hours post-Zyprexa. I took 20 mg of Paxil with this medication for anxiety and was noticing some improvement with Paxil alone. Zyprexa made me feel as if I was never taking Paxil AND took five steps backward. My official diagnosis is TBD, but this was the first medication I've taken where I absolutely refuse to take again at any dosage."

• Tee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2020

For Agitation "At the beginning of the first two weeks taking 5 mg of olanzapine and coming off of 200 mg of Lamictal, I 'thought' things were going good. But after the two weeks and increasing to 7.5 mg, things were a wreck. Brain fog, increased anxiety, agitation, and the major effect that everyone mentions... weight gain! One month, 10 lbs. I was constantly eating. Thank goodness my doctor let me try something different. This med was just not for me. I was so hoping it would have been too."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2016

For Borderline Personality Disorder "This drug makes you gain a ridiculous amount of weight in just a few days. I've been taking Zyprexa for 2 months and gained almost 9 kg. It's terrible because of its side effects. As someone who was just at the right weight for my height, I'm afraid I'll not stop gaining weight and my borderline and depression will get worse. I feel self-conscious about my body now, I feel fat, and my anxiety is also getting worse. Sadly, I can't recommend this medication."

• JJV...
• August 2, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "Works well and works fast. Do not be afraid to talk with your doctor about increasing the dosage early on if it is only working a little bit, especially if you have tried a lot of the other antipsychotics before. I am bipolar I, severe with psychotic features-about as intense as it gets for bipolar-and olanzapine finally did it. I started off at 5 mg the first day at night, the next day 10 mg, and then 15 mg the following day with 5 mg taken in the morning. This medicine works very well for my anxiety as well. I highly recommend this medication."

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2021

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I took this yesterday, and that will probably be my first and LAST time taking it EVER!!! I got this garbage back in March of this year for schizophrenia and anxiety. I took it once on March 28, and I had a horrible experience! I was super sleepy, more annoyed, and hungry like a bottomless pit! I went from a small cute 123 lbs, where I was in shape and everything, where I looked my BEST so far in my adult life, and my weight went all the way up to 178!! I feel so gross now. I weighed 178 by May 1 of this year due to eating MEALS every 5 minutes. I didn’t take this ever since until yesterday. For the past 2 weeks, I’ve been experiencing Ativan withdrawal, where I was more paranoid than usual, dreamlike, and lashing out at everyone. I took this yesterday, and I felt WORSE!!! MORE paranoid, enraged, very sleepy, I kept scrunching my face and wanted to go to sleep, even in public, 4 night terrors in one night, insanely hungry. I got my Ativan today, and these effects wore off. Never again. 0/10"

• ABa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 16, 2020

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I suffer from schizophrenia and paranoid delusions. Zyprexa did not work well for me. Paranoid delusions persisted. This medicine gave me severe restless legs, which sometimes spread to my arms. Also, I found it extremely difficult to concentrate and had difficulty carrying conversations. I switched off of risperidone because it gave me extreme anxiety to Zyprexa. And now I am switching to Abilify from Zyprexa. Hopefully, this is the right choice!"

• Whe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2020

For Agitation "I used it in conjunction with Lexapro. This stuff was pretty strong and really helped with my anxiety, racing thoughts, and even chronic pain. However, it made me feel like a zombie and put me to sleep. About an hour or two after taking it around 7 p.m., I would just fall asleep, no matter where I was. I'd take it and fall asleep in the middle of playing video games with my friends. Basically, I became a narcoleptic. As for the weight gain, I constantly craved sugar and carbs. Sometimes it would make me so hungry I would eat hamburger buns after dinner because I was still starving. I gained about 20 pounds. After working off the medication, I lost that 20 pounds again. The stuff makes you ravenously hungry, be warned. I've been off the stuff for about a year, and that's probably for the better."

• Kie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2021

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I got my prescription for this drug a few days ago along with my Ativan, Zoloft, and Trileptal. Ativan doesn’t have the same effects as this, and neither does Trileptal. I took this yesterday around 11 in the morning for paranoia and anxiety, and within 30 minutes, I started feeling like a zombie. I felt super restless and more anxious than I was before, so I slept from noon yesterday until 5 this morning, on and off. Even though I drank 2 big cups of coffee, I still feel sleepy and dazed. This also caused me to have odd and extremely vivid dreams last night, and I feel angrier than usual! I woke up this morning screaming at everyone in the house for not taking out the trash, I punched the air conditioner because it was turned up too high, I cussed my boyfriend out for taking too long to say something when he called me on the phone, etc. I thought Zyprexa would be a good medication for me at FIRST, but it made everything worse! I’m not taking this ever again."