Olanzapine and Depression: What Users Say

• Eme...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2020

Olanzapine for Depression "I was put on 17.5mg of Zyprexa in 2017. I took this for 6 months before I finally decided to listen to my body and stop listening to the so-called experts. Zyprexa made me dull, depressed, and robotic. I now lack empathy, emotion, concentration, and I no longer get pleasure from things I used to enjoy. Zyprexa zaps the joy from your life, basically. There is no upside. Please, please avoid this drug. It will steal your personality, and nobody will believe you except for the people who have also been victims of this drug."

• Eme...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2020

Olanzapine for Depression "I was put on 17.5mg of Zyprexa in 2017. I took this for 6 months before I finally decided to listen to my body and stop listening to the so-called experts. Zyprexa made me dull, depressed, and robotic. I now lack empathy, emotion, concentration, and I no longer get pleasure from things I used to enjoy. Zyprexa zaps the joy from your life, basically. There is no upside. Please, please avoid this drug. It will steal your personality, and nobody will believe you except for the people who have also been victims of this drug."

• Eme...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2020

Olanzapine for Depression "I was put on 17.5mg of Zyprexa in 2017. I took this for 6 months before I finally decided to listen to my body and stop listening to the so-called experts. Zyprexa made me dull, depressed, and robotic. I now lack empathy, emotion, concentration, and I no longer get pleasure from things I used to enjoy. Zyprexa zaps the joy from your life, basically. There is no upside. Please, please avoid this drug. It will steal your personality, and nobody will believe you except for the people who have also been victims of this drug."

• Mer...
• September 7, 2020

For Depression "This drug has absolutely ruined my life. I was on 2.5mg for approximately 1 year. During that year, I slept all day, felt like a robot, had zero motivation, and was horribly depressed. I managed to get off. The first 2 months of withdrawal, I had severe insomnia, severe anxiety, and severe depression. I also have complete anhedonia. I have lost the ability to feel joy or happiness. I'm chronically fatigued. I have suicidal thoughts on a daily basis. The worst part is the akathisia. I can't even put into words what akathisia feels like. I am in shock every day that pharmaceutical companies are giving out these drugs. It is so horrible and sad to see others like myself suffering in such a way. Please, do not allow yourself or loved ones to go anywhere near these drugs. They will ruin your life. I have been off olanzapine for 7 months now with no end to the suffering in sight."

• Mer...
• September 7, 2020

For Depression "This drug has absolutely ruined my life. I was on 2.5mg for approximately 1 year. During that year, I slept all day, felt like a robot, had zero motivation, and was horribly depressed. I managed to get off. The first 2 months of withdrawal, I had severe insomnia, severe anxiety, and severe depression. I also have complete anhedonia. I have lost the ability to feel joy or happiness. I'm chronically fatigued. I have suicidal thoughts on a daily basis. The worst part is the akathisia. I can't even put into words what akathisia feels like. I am in shock every day that pharmaceutical companies are giving out these drugs. It is so horrible and sad to see others like myself suffering in such a way. Please, do not allow yourself or loved ones to go anywhere near these drugs. They will ruin your life. I have been off olanzapine for 7 months now with no end to the suffering in sight."

• Bre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 31, 2021

For Insomnia "DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION FOR SLEEP! It will help you sleep for a little while, then your sleep will get worse with time, then you will not be able to sleep without it once you try getting off. I'm going on 3 and 1/2 weeks off it after a slow taper, and it has destroyed my sleep cycle. It has also left me with worse depression, anxiety, and exhaustion (all things that were starting to worsen after a few months on this medication). Trust me, if you're not bipolar or schizophrenic, do not take this medication, especially if you're just using it for sleep. You will regret it."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 27, 2020

For Insomnia "Took this medication olanzapine for about 2 and 1/2 months. I was suicidally anxious when my psychiatrist decided to give this a try. Made me very tired for the first few days but it nearly eliminated my anxiety and it helped me sleep better. Over time, though, I started having diminishing returns at even 10mg, along with feeling like I was becoming dumber (having trouble focusing, trying to remember certain words)... It just made me more foggy and depressed. Decided to get off it and didn't realize until a few days after that I was having bad withdrawals (nausea, anxiety, worse sleep). I would not recommend this med. I'm trying to conquer my severe depression and poor sleep and this is making everything way worse. Even cutting to small pieces to taper is hardly helping. Wish I never started it."

• Jos...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 24, 2019

For Depression "I have been a teacher for 28 years. I was diagnosed with depression. I was prescribed olanzapine. Once on olanzapine, my life was totally changed. I could not act like a good teacher. I could not work properly. I was sleeping 18 hours a day. I put on weight. I was hungry all the time. My depression did not go away, it became worse. I couldn't speak, couldn't think properly. Please don't take this medicine."

• Jos...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 29, 2019

Olanzapine for Depression "I've been on Zyprexa for about a year and a half at 15 mg. I was put on Zyprexa to help with severe treatment-resistant depression. I also take 150 mg of Effexor and 300 mg of Wellbutrin. In the past year, my depression has slowly gotten worse, and I suspect it's the Zyprexa. About 3 months ago, I decided to taper myself off Zyprexa. I went from 15 mg to 7.5 mg for 3 months. I experienced moderate sleeping issues (I sleep between 4-8 hours and wake up about 10 times during the night), nausea, and a dramatic increase in depression. My highs are lower, and my lows are longer and more severe. My two questions are this: 1) Has anyone experienced increased depression as a result of taking Zyprexa? 2) Has anyone experienced an increase in depression as a result of Zyprexa withdrawal."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2019

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "Zyprexa was a life saver for me. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and OCD last year. Took Abilify and became irritated easily, Lamictal and kept forgetting things, then I started 30 mg of Prozac and 2.5 mg of Zyprexa combo. It instantly got me out of depression/mood swings and helped me get back to school & focus a little bit more. I will say that I feel a little dull/do not want to talk much & gained 25 pounds in one month being on it. No matter how much I work out, I do not lose the weight. I honestly love the pros of this drug, I can smile and laugh again. But I do not want it to affect my confidence and self-esteem because I am gaining so much weight. I am now weaning off Zyprexa and trying Latuda. My advice to anyone trying Zyprexa - give this a try and expect the weight gain to occur, it will help reduce negative thoughts, excessive worrying & mood swings. Have faith, and try it, I really believe Zyprexa will help get someone out of their worst days."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2019

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "Zyprexa was a life saver for me. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and OCD last year. Took Abilify and became irritated easily, Lamictal and kept forgetting things, then I started 30 mg of Prozac and 2.5 mg of Zyprexa combo. It instantly got me out of depression/mood swings and helped me get back to school & focus a little bit more. I will say that I feel a little dull/do not want to talk much & gained 25 pounds in one month being on it. No matter how much I work out, I do not lose the weight. I honestly love the pros of this drug, I can smile and laugh again. But I do not want it to affect my confidence and self-esteem because I am gaining so much weight. I am now weaning off Zyprexa and trying Latuda. My advice to anyone trying Zyprexa - give this a try and expect the weight gain to occur, it will help reduce negative thoughts, excessive worrying & mood swings. Have faith, and try it, I really believe Zyprexa will help get someone out of their worst days."

• Geo...
• November 4, 2019

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I was on Zyprexa at 25mg (had psychosis) for a few months, literally, the worst months of my life. All I wanted to do was eat and sleep, so tired and foggy, and I had no motivation. So glad I ignored doctors and got off it as soon as I possibly could. If there was an option for zero, I would give that. This stuff is utter garbage."

• Sky...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2020

For Depression "My Dr. (The expert) prescribed this for me when I was suffering with agitation and anxiety. I took it for 2 years, and my new Dr. took me off it. I put on 30 kgs of weight, felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin on a daily basis, and was very irritable. But that's not the worst part. This medication permanently causes you to be DEPRESSED even after discontinuation! I've tried all types of SSRIs and SNRIs, and they simply don't work. I'm stuck in an incredibly bad depressive state. I can't laugh, I can't be happy. PLEASE, if your Dr. prescribes this to you, READ THE REVIEWS and do not take this horrible medication!"

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2019

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "My boyfriend suffers from manic bipolar disorder. He was off meds for 2 years and recently became manic again. We go to the doctors and this is what she prescribed him at a dose of 3mg. It worked to stop his manic episodes. BUT he is legitimately like a zombie now. He sleeps all the time, is always tired, emotionless, unsure of himself, doesn’t talk, doesn’t eat, doesn’t laugh. He's basically a shell of himself. It’s really sad to watch, and I’m actually hoping his doctor will change his meds this week because this is NO way to live."

• ali...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2023

For Depression "I beg you, if you have not started taking this medication, please do not ever start. I was on it for seven months, and it turned me into a robot. I was completely depressed and devoid of any feelings until I made the decision to quit. I have quit heroin many times before, and I can say with certainty that quitting olanzapine is many times harder than quitting heroin."

• I...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "For those that leave good reviews, you are either lucky the drug works, getting paid by big pharma to keep quiet about the mortality this drug causes, or you haven't experienced withdrawal symptoms yet. This was the most horrible, disgusting antipsychotic I've ever taken. Nothing but chemical lobotomy inside a small pill. Can't think, can't cry, can't be happy, can't lose weight... can't feel pleasure in anything. How can anyone benefit from something that leaves you emotionally flat? If it works for you, great. But don't be surprised when the 'feeling okay' turns into 'feeling worse'. You have been warned."

• Doc...
• May 17, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "This olanzapine is the worst drug ever made. Makes you lose all your emotion and decreases your IQ. Increases anxiety and depression and increases restlessness that does not go away after going off the drug. Completely messes up your GI system with terrible constipation, zero energy, inability to cry, decreases communication, and you lose the ability to have any type of sex life. Big pharma should be ashamed to have this available. I would give it a zero if I could."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2021

For Insomnia "I was put on this in conjunction with Prozac and Ativan. I took this drug for a month, and all it did was increase my appetite. I started out at 5 mg, then increased to 10, and I felt drugged. My depression worsened, and I started having anxiety and panic attacks. I’m now at 2.5 mg. My doctor used this as a sleeping pill, which only worked moderately. Use this pill with caution. If you aren’t bipolar or have a severe mental illness, then stay away from this drug."

• Sug...
• December 25, 2014

Olanzapine for Insomnia "I went to a psychiatrist for sleep meds and was prescribed 5 mg Zyprexa. It helped me sleep, but as soon as I stopped taking the medicine after two weeks, I experienced severe insomnia, sweating, palpitations, agitation, depression, and agitation. I had to be put back on it to stabilize. I am now taking 7.5 mg. I don't like the effect on me, and I will try to taper off of this medicine. I wish I had known about the side effects and withdrawal symptoms of this medicine."

• Ite...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 16, 2019

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "Stay away from Zyprexa. I had a massive weight gain, diabetes, cholesterol problems, significantly makes your brain dull, unable to think properly, have no emotions, anxiety. Sleep a lot. I think it destroys your brain chemistry. Unable to taper off as the withdrawals are extreme."

• Mea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2018

For Agitation "I suffer from chronic migraines, daily headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, agitated depression, anxiety, and occasionally insomnia. Three weeks in, I am picking up my life and putting it back together! I feel like myself for the first time in at least five years! I sent a pack of research evidence-based articles to my neurologist today to ask him to allow me to stay longer on olanzapine. I was meant to do just a three-week trial. But I feel so happy on it! A specific situation that would have stressed me out in the past was so much easier! It's one of the best meds I have tried! I just hope it lasts!"

• mor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 27, 2020

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I started taking Zyprexa 10 mg in 1996 until 2017, which is when I began tapering due to health reasons. I am now down to 2.5 mg but have gained a lot of weight, pain in joints, inability to sleep well, anxiety for no reason, memory loss, inability to think, no motivation, crying for no reason, terrible pain in my arms, muscle cramps in my feet, pancreatitis, constant eating, lack of feelings and enjoyment. Extremely difficult to get off it, it ruined my life!"

• Aki...
• March 5, 2023

For Depression "Olanzapine saved my life... wait. Just kidding. I hate this drug. It stole my personality and way of feeling myself. After withdrawing, I have abnormal headaches, no motivation, and depressed to some extent. Thankfully I don't have insomnia, but I have realized I am sleeping lighter than before. This is poison. Don't take it."

• Aki...
• March 5, 2023

For Depression "Olanzapine saved my life... wait. Just kidding. I hate this drug. It stole my personality and way of feeling myself. After withdrawing, I have abnormal headaches, no motivation, and depressed to some extent. Thankfully I don't have insomnia, but I have realized I am sleeping lighter than before. This is poison. Don't take it."

• Anonymous
• February 13, 2012

Olanzapine for Depression "This medication is a great sedative, if that's what you're looking for. It's not euphoric, it just makes you sleepy. But it caused me to gain over 40 pounds in less than 2 months. I now get depressed just looking in the mirror. My doctor says it just makes you hungry, not gain weight, but the amount of weight I gained in such a short time is unnatural!"