Olanzapine and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Cab...
• June 6, 2017

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I've had a mostly positive experience with the exception of a lot of weight gain. Definitely stopped the depression/manic cycles. Does make me sleepy, but my doctor prescribed Provigil, which really helped. I give this med a positive grade, especially for bipolar with psychotic episodes."

• Fre...
• January 21, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "This is not a good medicine for me. I'm glad it helps other people, but it makes my body feel like I weigh a thousand pounds, and I can barely move after I wake up the next day after taking it. It makes me sleep for more than 14 hours, and it takes another 4 hours to just be able to stand after I wake up. Not a good med for me, I hope others have better experiences."

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

Olanzapine for Depression "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."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "Olanzapine is a great medication for me. I have a sense of well-being that I haven’t had in years. It was sedating at first, but I think that’s wearing off. I’m weaning off of lithium right now, so I’m not only relying on Zyprexa, but I noticed a clear difference a few weeks after I started it. I feel calmer and less reactive. It’s addressing my anxiety nicely."

• Anonymous
• April 23, 2017

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This medication is very effective in making me have a mainly normal day. It does make me feel drowsy when I first wake up, but I do not hear any voices or have any racing thoughts or other disturbances throughout the day. I am also able to sleep well. I do, however, notice a difference in being on 15 mg versus 10 mg. I need the higher dose for it to be as effective, I was still having some disturbances on the lower dose."

• Ari...
• August 18, 2016

For Depression "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."

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

For Schizoaffective Disorder "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."

• kel...
• July 7, 2010

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I recently started on Zyprexa Zydis due to some problems I am having with severe nausea and vomiting. I was scared at first because I have been on lithium for years and have no problems with it. So far (other than the drowsiness), I think this is great."

• Jak...
• July 9, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have suspected bipolar disorder, and I've found olanzapine has really helped. It helped pull me out of a major depressive episode and really helps me regulate my emotions. The problem I found was, although it makes me feel drowsy, it seems to have made my nightmares a lot worse. Thankfully, it knocks me out enough to sleep through the night, but I wake up with horrible memories of the dreams. Other than that, this medication has worked for me :)"

• Tou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2014

For Tourette's Syndrome "The first time I was prescribed olanzapine, I was on it for about 5-6 months. The tics were reduced by about half, which was great for me. However, I soon realized that there were subtle side effects, which had horrible results. The medicine made me very hungry, which meant I ate a lot more, and as a result, I gained around 20 pounds in a very short period of time. Another side effect was drowsiness and lethargy. I slept a lot and took naps during the day. I trialed the medicine again recently, and the same side effects occurred, so I have had to stop this medicine and try something else."

• Exo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Was prescribed medication to treat bipolar 2. Even taking half a dose, the medication made me drowsy, actually more like sedated, as some call it 'zombie feel.' On the third day, I noticed short-term memory loss and I couldn't articulate my thoughts efficiently, had this cloudy, foggy mind. I was hoping my body would adjust to the medication, but even after a couple of weeks, it seemed the side effects got more severe. Plus, I gained 5 lbs in a week and noticed my energy level was down, heart rate up. I'm an Ironman triathlete, so I copiously monitor my health, and this drug decreases my performance. Finally, I had to call my doctor to get another option. It did calm me down and I didn't have any mania or depression, just the side effects were too great for me to continue."

• Exo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Was prescribed medication to treat bipolar 2. Even taking half a dose, the medication made me drowsy, actually more like sedated, as some call it 'zombie feel.' On the third day, I noticed short-term memory loss and I couldn't articulate my thoughts efficiently, had this cloudy, foggy mind. I was hoping my body would adjust to the medication, but even after a couple of weeks, it seemed the side effects got more severe. Plus, I gained 5 lbs in a week and noticed my energy level was down, heart rate up. I'm an Ironman triathlete, so I copiously monitor my health, and this drug decreases my performance. Finally, I had to call my doctor to get another option. It did calm me down and I didn't have any mania or depression, just the side effects were too great for me to continue."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 25, 2021

For Schizoaffective Disorder "For my schizoaffective disorder with hearing voices and paranoia. This medicine definitely helps with my Seroquel as I feel normal, no side effects for me except maybe a little groggy and appetite, but I can live with that. As long as it's effective at treating symptoms."

• dmm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I take 5 mg of olanzapine at night with 250 mg of Lamictal. The olanzapine has been great to ease my manic episode. My hearing voices and racing thoughts have eased, and the only side effect other than the slight zombie feeling and drowsiness at night was I am feeling more thirsty more often. And my hunger has actually decreased, not increased, as others have had."

• nyl...
• September 30, 2015

For Schizophrenia "In a few months, I exactly doubled my weight-constant ravenous appetite. Started on 40 mg a day. But after 15 years of taking it and fighting confusion, appetite, and somnolence, even when I got it to 2.5 mg and lower, I still had the same objectionable side effects. Would have been better to take it short term (maybe 3 months) instead of years. VERY, VERY hard to taper off of it no matter how slowly you do it. I don't think I would ever take it again unless it was a life-or-death situation."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "Zyprexa helped a lot with preventing mania for me, as well as chronic psychosis. What didn't work was the 50 lbs of weight gain, sedation in the mornings making me late to work constantly, and the super flat affect and lack of personality. Didn't work well for me, but it might for someone else!"

• Joc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 19, 2021

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I was on Zyprexa for around 6 months, and when it did keep my psychosis at bay, I felt dull and unenergetic. I slept for 14 hours a day, and I didn't feel like doing anything. When I got out of the hospital, I was on 20 mgs of Zyprexa. On the process of going down to 5 mgs, I gained around 50 pounds. I'm now on Latuda 40 mgs in hopes of being more energetic and to lose the weight I have gained."

• Ola...
• September 16, 2016

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I have used this medication for around two years. It is very good with helping schizoid-type thoughts, however, I would not recommend the medication as a long-term medication due to weight gain and its ability to affect whether or not you can wake up in the morning. It has a tendency to make me fall asleep for two days straight. From - adult male who has had sleep cycle problems from a young age."

• Sav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2024

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I tried for about a year to find something that would help, none of the meds I tried over the course of the year even touched my OCD symptoms - primarily real event OCD. Finally, the doctor decided to try antipsychotics, said Olanzapine was the best one to start off with. Within about a week, I had significantly reduced symptoms, and about a month later, I was about 70% back to normal. This medication worked like magic. The drowsiness was tough the first couple of days/week, but I adjusted and am back to waking up around 6:30 am without any drowsiness at all. I'm on 2.5 mg now, will move up to 5 mg plus samidorphan (Lybalvi) next week. It definitely increased my appetite, but I expect that to be tempered once I go on the Lybalvi."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2022

For Depression "This med started working within two days of taking. I stopped after two weeks because the side effects of grogginess all day, sleeping through the alarm, weight gain, and weakness in the body along with exacerbating niggles that turned into full injuries. However, it did stop the grandiose thinking, the thought building, the racing mind, the ability to focus on intrusive thoughts. For a bridge to something else - we are going to try Vraylar next - was a success. However, this is not something I could tolerate long-term. The sleepiness combined with the effects on the body (I am an endurance runner) were just too much and affected other things that were a priority for me."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 29, 2022

For Depression "This med started working within two days of taking. I stopped after two weeks because the side effects of grogginess all day, sleeping through the alarm, weight gain, and weakness in the body along with exacerbating niggles that turned into full injuries. However, it did stop the grandiose thinking, the thought building, the racing mind, the ability to focus on intrusive thoughts. For a bridge to something else - we are going to try Vraylar next - was a success. However, this is not something I could tolerate long-term. The sleepiness combined with the effects on the body (I am an endurance runner) were just too much and affected other things that were a priority for me."

• Has...
• December 20, 2016

Olanzapine for Schizoaffective Disorder "I started Zyprexa 6 months ago after I was hospitalized to the psych ward and diagnosed schizoaffective. I'm also bipolar. It has been pretty darn good, makes me sleepy, which is good for bedtime. I get between 8-15 hours of sleep a night. In July, when I was in the hospital, I weighed 98 pounds, I have gained 30 pounds since, but I'm worried I'll keep gaining more weight, which is why I am thinking of looking for other medications that can treat both the ups and downs and the delusions and hallucinations. Other than the major weight gain, it's good."

• Ccr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 21, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Amazing. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and even after two hours after taking my first dose, I felt relief. After horrible issues with antidepressants (was wrongly diagnosed), I finally found a drug that makes me feel calm and myself again. Love this medication! Hunger and drowsiness were my only side effects that left after about two weeks."

• Ada...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 21, 2021

For Insomnia "I have been taking olanzapine for about 3.5 years now. Some nights I don't take it, other nights 2.5 mg, and other nights 5 mg. It helps tremendously with my sleep when I'm intolerant to it. If my tolerance builds up, I might have to 'muscle out' a few nights so that it can then affect me better. These nights of having to go without it can be rough. For me, if I'm not sure that I'll sleep at all, I find that taking olanzapine ends up being the better choice. I think sleep/calmness is healthier than no sleep/panic, even though olanzapine may have some potentially unhealthy side effects. Speaking of the side effects, I have noticed it increase my appetite, but I can still control my weight. There is some drowsiness, but I don't mind it because I at least feel well rested. I do want to eventually quit due to long-term potential side effects, but it is hard to get off, I must say."

• Mys...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 11, 2021

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have been on olanzapine 2.5 mg since March this year. I was very hesitant about going on olanzapine at first because of the negative reviews I read about it. But I'm so glad I did. It's helped my mood immensely along with sertraline. Before I started taking olanzapine, my mood fluctuated a lot like a storm, along with paranoia and dissociation. The fluctuations, dissociation, and paranoia haven't fully gone, but I feel I can deal with this a lot better now. I have EUPD, along with anxiety and depression. The main side effects I got from it are weight gain and sleepiness. I've put on 3 stone since starting this medication. But with regular exercise and healthy eating, I should lose the weight. I made the right choice going on olanzapine, otherwise, I'd be climbing the walls. I wouldn't be able to function daily without it. It also helps me sleep. Just make sure to stick to exercise and eating healthy to keep the weight off, as weight gain is one of the main side effects."