Olanzapine and Depression: What Users Say (Page 2)

• rb1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2016

Olanzapine for Depression "Was on Zyprexa from Mar 2015 till Aug 2015. At first, it seemed like it was mellowing me out a bit, and I could sleep through the whole night, which was an improvement. After a few months, I noticed my depression was getting much worse. Came off the drug cold turkey, and went through one of the most serious withdrawals one could face. Depression, severe anxiety, PTSD, night terrors took over. To this day Apr 2016, I have still not returned to the way I was before I started taking this horrible drug. Depression and anxiety are still bad, not as bad as 6 months ago, but still worse than when I first started taking it. I'm convinced this drug can cause permanent brain damage."

• 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."

• Nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2019

For Depression "Olanzapine made me feel terrible. I was prescribed it for a depressive episode and quickly found (within a few days) that I felt worse. I was in a constant state of feeling despair, panic, and anxious as a result of it. I then went back to a different doctor who immediately withdrew this drug (luckily it had only been a few days). I was then prescribed Escitalopram, which I used for a couple of months. Olanzapine is an extremely strong drug that was wholly inappropriate to my treatment."

• Now...
• August 6, 2021

Olanzapine for Depression "I have never written a review, but what I am experiencing is something I do not wish on anyone. Please listen to what I am saying before it is too late for you. The first thing I want to point out is that they say this drug is not addictive. I will tell you that is the biggest crock I have ever heard. It is beyond addicting. You cannot just stop it. The nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, depression, mania, insomnia, desire to just die to get this over with, shaking, you feel cold and hot at the same time. The withdrawals are unbearable, so naturally people keep taking it. The only solution I see to this is to find a rehab for this and have professionals help me through this. I should have never been placed on this drug to begin with. I needed to gain weight. But to give me one of the strongest antipsychotics for that is criminal. Sure, I gained 40 pounds, but I have no life. No desire to live. No focus. No motivation. Nothing. If you are not psychotic, do not take this poison."

• cma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 23, 2017

Olanzapine for Depression "I was only on Zyprexa for 10 days, but it made me so tired I couldn't even function. All I wanted to do was sleep all day. And it made my depression worse. I was so depressed by that 10th day that I almost quit my job because I just felt like I couldn't handle any stress at all. So glad I stopped taking this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2019

For Depression "I was prescribed 10 mg of this rubbish. Now, after 1 year, I feel totally like garbage. Was prescribed for schizophrenia, and now I wonder if it damaged my brain. I lack motivation, I've gained weight, I feel tired and unmotivated to do just regular activities, like brushing my teeth. I'm off of it. Don't take it, it is just a bunch of rubbish."

• Ber...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Terrible experience with the first dosage of olanzapine 20 mg. Cloudy vision accompanied with dullness, lowered cognitive skill, hard to talk without feeling thirsty, hungry all the time, weight gain, and zero sex drive. What human could live life like this?"

• Jba...
• February 12, 2016

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "This medication has made me extremely tired! I feel like I've lost all of my motivation. I am a teacher and a coach and find it extremely hard to get myself 'up' to do these things. I am very tired in the morning and it's not until late at night that I start to feel like myself again. Only in time to take the medication again and start the process over. It has taken away some anxiety symptoms and helped me sleep (a bit too much), but I feel down a lot because I feel like I lost my passion. I am slowly coming off of it and look forward to getting back to feeling like myself again. I empathize with people on this medication."

• Jba...
• February 12, 2016

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "This medication has made me extremely tired! I feel like I've lost all of my motivation. I am a teacher and a coach and find it extremely hard to get myself 'up' to do these things. I am very tired in the morning and it's not until late at night that I start to feel like myself again. Only in time to take the medication again and start the process over. It has taken away some anxiety symptoms and helped me sleep (a bit too much), but I feel down a lot because I feel like I lost my passion. I am slowly coming off of it and look forward to getting back to feeling like myself again. I empathize with people on this medication."

• SJa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 30, 2019

For Depressive Psychosis "I was prescribed olanzapine during a drug-induced psychosis. After my recovery and being hospitalized for over a month, I was kept on the medication. This medication turned me into a soulless shell of the person I once was. After changing psychiatrists and explaining how I felt (depressed, suicidal, numb, etc.), she decided to lower the dose and change me to another antipsychotic. However, I wanted to go off the medication. This started off slowly, but as I came off the medication, I slowly came back to life. I felt happiness in small bursts again, I enjoyed the sound of music, and my suicidal thoughts disappeared. Avoid olanzapine at all costs. It will turn you into a zombie."

• Pet...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2023

Olanzapine "This is a very toxic, dangerous drug! It has destroyed my health. Caused akathisia, extreme exhaustion, muscle seizures, extreme hair loss, fainting spells, low blood pressure, diarrhea, panic attacks, depression, dry skin, hot sweats, blurred vision, light sensitivity, insomnia, and cognitive issues. Don't take this medication, you will regret it. The maker, Eli Lilly, has been sued many times for damages this drug has caused. It has caused diabetes, heart attacks, pancreatitis, skin rashes, strokes, sudden death, and much, much more. It should be outlawed, but big pharma runs everything! Zyprexa sucks! I would have rated it a -10 if I had the option."

• Las...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2012

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "Got this medicine and was amazed at how I recovered. I wasn't paranoid, was relaxed, and loved life. Until I kept taking it for a couple of years and all the symptoms returned. I now am withdrawing, which is a nightmare."

• IWa...
• April 14, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Hate it. Nothing but eat, sleep (which takes a majority of the day), no focus (almost fired from my job), weight gain, lowered cognitive function, worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, and no motivation whatsoever. This is a chemical lobotomy as a prescription pill."

• IWa...
• April 14, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Hate it. Nothing but eat, sleep (which takes a majority of the day), no focus (almost fired from my job), weight gain, lowered cognitive function, worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, and no motivation whatsoever. This is a chemical lobotomy as a prescription pill."

• Vzz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2021

Olanzapine for Depression "This drug is the worst thing ever created. For me, it CAUSED unbelievably severe depression, so bad that I’m thinking of suicide. But, I was forced to take it repeatedly because of a lie told by a jealous woman who had me committed and force-fed this evil poison. Even getting off it now, every day is an enormous struggle, and I worry I’ll never be the same again. Please stop making this dangerous drug. Nobody ever prescribe this, please."

• Rob...
• June 20, 2015

For Depression "Olanzapine is great for bringing down a manic episode but can hinder recovery as it made me feel so depressed. On 2.5 mg and going to come off as it makes me so low and depressed. I sleep for about 15 hours and have no interest in anything. It's helped with my anxiety but would rather feel anxious than live with the depression. I am counting down the minutes till the day is over. Previously, I have done this and have felt better within days, longest I've stayed on it this time, but also longest I've felt depressed. Will let you know how I get on."

• bjo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2021

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "Like other drugs, Zyprexa has different effects on different people. For me, the drug was a life-ruining experience. When I was on it (for a psychotic episode), I had severe side effects, including sedation, emotional numbing, and life-threatening metabolic deterioration. With a psychiatrist's help, I cross-titrated from it to Latuda. However, I happened to be in the fraction of people that has severe repercussions from discontinuing Zyprexa. With withdrawal, I had severe insomnia, which half a year later has only mildly improved. I have had to be on Ativan to get some sleep, and there are many testimonials to the same experience I've had-Zyprexa can for an indefinite period of time disrupt sleep regulation. Because of this, it should not be tried unless newer antipsychotics with a more focused receptor profile have been attempted."

• Lil...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 24, 2023

For Insomnia "I was prescribed olanzapine 10 mg for four years. It helped with my insomnia, but it made me gain weight and worsened my depression. I am bipolar 1. It helped with my mood swings (most of the time), however, when I was ready to come off of that medication, it caused hallucinations and involuntary arm and body movements. This is called TDE. It can be permanent, and trauma can trigger these effects. I had just lost my sister, and I feel like it made my condition worse. If you decide to come off of olanzapine, talk to your doctor first. It took several hospitalizations and several months for these effects to stop and normalcy to return. I am now on Abilify and have energy, actually feel happy and stable. I no longer have hallucinations and no longer suffer from TDE (rhythmic arm and body movements). I feel like myself again. I lost my place to live, my wedding, and my relationship for a while, but we are back together. I'm able to work now."

• Anonymous
• January 12, 2010

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was on 2.5 mg, and it made me into a hungry zombie. All my emotions were flat, it made life completely unpleasant. Every day was a struggle to get through, and sex was completely numb. However, it was a very effective medication for bipolar one disorder. If it wasn't for the side effects, I'd still be on it."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2012

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I found Zyprexa to be quite effective, however, it made me very tired and unmotivated, though. I was incredibly hungry all day. Only stayed on it for about a month and put on 7 lbs. I am in the process of exploring different antipsychotics that are more weight-friendly. Putting on weight was making me depressed and making me become more hostile because of it."

• Rad...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 26, 2019

For Depression "I was injected with this drug because I had a psychotic episode. It took care of psychosis, but it developed tolerance for negative symptoms and depression, so I got depressed while on the drug (because your brain stops producing serotonin while on it). Quitting it was very difficult, but I managed, and now am in remission only with vitamins and nutrients. They can treat mental disorders! You can read more about this in William Walsh's book 'Nutrient Power: Heal Your Biochemistry and Heal Your Brain.'"

• sub...
• December 3, 2011

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the early '90s. Tried all kinds of anti-psychotic medicines, Zyprexa is the one that has helped me the best. I feel tired and emotionless, but I am pretty sure that it is better than what my family goes through when I am not on it."

• 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!!"

• You...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2023

For Paranoid Disorder "This poison, even after stopping it for 4 months, made me quieter and less energetic, caused a loss of penile sensitivity, changed my personality for the worse, and made me exhibit abnormal behaviors. It made me feel suicidal, depressed, irritable, dumber, socially immature, impulsive, and appear like I have special educational needs. It also caused delayed response time, made me appear autistic, and exhibit autistic behavior. These are permanent side effects. I used to be smart, bright, have a personality, be confident, and want to live. My girl used to like me, people enjoyed talking to me, I used to have social intelligence, and I was never suicidal. I was forced to take it at 30 mg for 13 days, which was enough to ruin my life forever. Even if I took it for longer, the psych ward threatened to and wanted to inject me with it too! Never take this drug. It is harmful, and the side effects include becoming dumber, suicidal, asexual, depressed, and hating life."