Olanzapine and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• 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."

• Bel...
• January 12, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I read these reviews before starting olanzapine and got a massive anxiety attack over what I read—so if you are in the same position as I was, DON'T FREAK YOURSELF OUT! This medication has worked WONDERS for me. Seriously! It makes you very, very sleepy at night… and it does in fact make you gain weight. I know what you are thinking: “It’s gonna make me gain weight?!” Yes. BUT it will change your life for the better. (My diagnosis: honestly, they don’t know what’s going on with me. I’m adopted, so we don’t know my family’s history with mental health—they think I have bipolar. I’ve been on countless antidepressants, and they made everything worse, and olanzapine was my first antipsychotic, and it definitely was a step in the right direction. I’m now hopping on Abilify (and I’m honestly terrified) just to see if I get better results… if all fails, I’m jumping back onto olanzapine because woooo weee is that a miracle drug)"

• tlb...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 28, 2022

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "Significant impairment of cognition, significant drowsiness, hugely increased appetite, and a lot of weight gain (+15 kg) was my experience with Olanzapine as maintenance therapy. For depression, it had almost no effect, and I can say there are definitely much better options out there, although it works well and quickly in stopping a manic episode. Because of the drowsiness, impaired cognition, and significant weight gain, I don't recommend it. In all, I was on it for about eight months. Seroquel is not much better and feels very similar. I have since found Latuda to be far superior as a maintenance treatment, especially if you need a sharp mind in order to function and don't want to gain weight."

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

For Schizoaffective Disorder "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

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."

• Blo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "After having 2 bad manic episodes that landed me in the hospital for 6 days, I was diagnosed as bipolar. I started Zyprexa after being up for 3 days without sleep. I have a good sleep schedule but am still drowsy in the day and have bloodshot eyes. I gained 15 pounds, having always been underweight. I also get depressed later in the day every day, so I am hoping to try something else."

• kpe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 6, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I have taken olanzapine for 6 years, and it changed my life from a bad dream to a life with a good marriage, a good job, and feeling very close to God. My bipolar disorder kept me so riddled with anxiety and anger that it started to metastasize to my personality. I was becoming a bad person. Olanzapine took charge: I started sleeping right. I treated myself and others more humanely. I used to take 10 mg, but that was too sedating, now I take 2.5 mg. It pairs great with Topamax, which evens out the mood and reduces appetite. Beware of Lamictal — it made me aggressive and unkind."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 27, 2023

For Schizophrenia "Zyprexa (Olanzapine) causes weight gain even if you control your eating due to its ability to slow down metabolism. It's crucial to have periodic tests for cholesterol and blood sugar levels, as it can also elevate liver enzymes (ALT) at times. Unfortunately, the weight gain can be quite significant. In addition, Olanzapine can cause blurred vision, making reading or browsing the web difficult. It may also induce sleepiness during the day and cause you to sleep for about 11 hours each night. Even setting an alarm and trying to wake up early for a week may not help. At higher doses, it may exacerbate feelings of depression. Moreover, constipation is a common side effect of Olanzapine. Therefore, it's essential to consume a fiber supplement like psyllium seed husks and drink plenty of water to counteract this effect."

• amy...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 21, 2022

For Agitation "I was out on this while having an anxiety attack. I was misdiagnosed as psychotic and put on this horrific med. It screwed up my life for a year. Confusion, worse anxiety, drugged feeling, non-rational thoughts. My doc took me off, and I crashed, had to go to the hospital, and I was only on 10 mg a day. The hospital tried to put me back on it, and I refused. It’s been a month, and I still feel like it changed me permanently. Maybe it works for people who need it, but it will mess you up if you don’t."

• Del...
• April 16, 2016

For Insomnia "This is the only medicine I have taken for insomnia that helps me sleep at least seven hours. Only drawback is if I take it too late at night, I am drowsy for a few hours when I wake up."

• Ari...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2019

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "15 mg of Zyprexa made me cry uncontrollably, and it dulled my emotions with drowsiness. I don't know if I should continue with this because it's done more harm than good."

• Rus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 5, 2018

Olanzapine for Depression "My husband started Zyprexa a few days ago, and all he can do is sleep. Is this normal, and how long will the sleepiness last?"

• Riv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2014

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "Kept my schizophrenia in check but way too sedating. Gained 20 pounds in 6 months, hard to wake up in the morning, going to try something else."

• aut...
• May 16, 2017

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "No, nothing good, just constant fatigue and weight gain. It makes me sleepy as hell and makes me even more of a zombie."

• Rol...
• July 24, 2009

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I found the disintegrating Velotab very easy to swallow, but the medication was too sedating."

• t_s...
• September 27, 2016

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "This medication is terrible. Made me feel drowsy and nauseous and eventually put me into the hospital, causing pancreatitis."

• Anonymous
• October 5, 2011

Olanzapine for Schizoaffective Disorder "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
• January 30, 2012

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