Olanzapine and Increased Appetite: What Users Say

• mag...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 23, 2020

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "This drug Zyprexa has SAVED my life. I take 5mg every night, and it keeps me so stable throughout the day! I'm eating again, feeling real happiness, and my head is clearer! It makes me really hungry, which is perfect because I need to gain weight. It makes me sleep so deep, it's amazing. 11/10 love Zyprexa. I can't complain."

• mad...
• April 19, 2019

Olanzapine for Depression "Put on this drug for anxiety, loss of weight, not sleeping, all connected with something that happened to me. On it for a month at 10 mg and had pounding blood pressure in ears, sudden headaches, ankles swelled up 2x their size, gained 25 lbs. in a month, huge appetite, foggy thinking, flat personality, and dizzy. After I got off, I felt much better. Off it now for 2.5 months, and I can't lose any weight, and in fact am still gaining, so can't get it out of my system. How can I get it out of my system? I don't want to become diabetic or get heart disease, but this drug can do that and I'm not even on it! Doctors are putting people on it that should not be given this drug, it should be a last resort if at all. This drug can cause permanent changes chemically, in metabolism, and dopamine receptors in the brain. Is there no antidote?"

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 27, 2019

Olanzapine for Depression "Zyprexa made me feel very tired and irritable. I almost cussed my boyfriend over a small inconvenience. My eyesight kept blurring up, always hungry, and then I started getting this uncomfortable drowsy feeling that lasted the whole day. STAY AWAY from this garbage."

• lov...
• December 13, 2014

Olanzapine for Depression "Had a few psychotic episodes a few years ago, was hospitalized and was put on Zyprexa and a few other meds. I was diagnosed with BPD (borderline personality disorder), major depression, and fibromyalgia. I felt hungry all the time and gained 70 lbs. My dose was 20mg a day plus I was on other meds. Finally, I was weaned off all other meds as the months went by. I cannot say my hunger and weight gain were completely due to Zyprexa, but I do know that I now take only 5mg a day at night, sleep well, my hunger is normal, and I have lost weight with good healthy choices and exercise. I no longer have depression, and life has never been better. Zyprexa, therapy, exercise, support, and nutrition have saved my life."

• Mit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 20, 2019

For Insomnia "Great for sleep! Olanzapine is a great sleep aid alternative to addictive sleep medication. I take 5mg at night and I sleep 8 - 10 hours without waking up throughout the night (I used to sleep 5 - 6 hours and waking up several times). For the first couple of weeks you’ll feel groggy and be hungry but these side effects will go away. I’ve been on Olanzapine for 3 months and it’s still working great for sleep."

• 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."

• Sta...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 24, 2020

For Insomnia "Zyprexa gives me the best sleep ever, but I'm tired constantly, and it makes me so uncontrollably hungry. Just need to be careful about what you eat. It helps my mood too, as I also have bipolar disorder. I'd recommend it if you truly can't sleep and have bipolar disorder and/or OCD."

• SNe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2015

Olanzapine for Major Depressive Disorder "I am 5'3' tall and weigh 94 lbs. I was prescribed several different antidepressants over a span of ten years along with Klonopin 1 mg tid and Remeron 45 mg at bedtime for anxiety. I finally decided to see a psychiatrist, and she put me on 2.5 mg of Zyprexa at bedtime. Just one dose, and I was a completely different person! I woke up rested, smiling, happy, energized, and with a sense of well-being again! This drug was like night and day for me! I am now on day 5, and I just keep feeling better! I am doing things I never dreamed I would and was able to get the job I've always wanted! For me, Zyprexa has truly changed my life, and I hope it helps others the way it has helped me! The only side effect I've had is increased appetite (which I needed). :)"

• Rib...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 14, 2019

For Insomnia "For years, I suffered from insomnia. My doctors tried Ambien, benzos, antidepressants, Seroquel, and antihistamines, and nothing worked for me. I saw a new doctor who put me on ten milligrams of olanzapine, and it was a success. I am now currently on 20 mgs at night. It puts me to sleep, but the hunger and weight gain are severe."

• Jak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 5, 2017

For Agitation "My 9-year-old son was placed on this medication a few weeks ago because of violent outbursts, agitation, insomnia, and anxiety. He has high-functioning autism. He had been placed on Risperdal with few improvements. Zyprexa has been a game changer for my son Jake. He takes 5 mg about an hour before bed. He is sleeping through the night (in 9 years, he has never slept through the night). He is happy and content. No more violent outbursts. He is eating nonstop (he would barely eat prior to medication). Very happy with the results that Jake is seeing on this medication, and he has had no side effects outside of being hungry and eating more."

• mlf...
• August 28, 2015

Olanzapine for Insomnia "Ok, so while I have only begun this last night... I can say I did fall asleep, which doesn't happen until after midnight, and I only woke up once to pee. I slept for almost 10 hours compared to my restless 4, if that. My only complaint so far is this entire day I have wanted to do NOTHING. I am so tired, I don't want to do anything besides sleep, and I don't like this feeling. And I can say I've been hungrier today than usual, so I'm paying attention to what I'm eating so I don't overeat... After a while, I'll update my review."

• 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?"

• Cho...
• July 20, 2015

Olanzapine for Depression "This medication has made me unemotional and boring, and like many others, I'm forever hungry. I have put on an insane amount of weight, admittedly needed, due to suffering anorexia, but when I started on this medication, I weighed 37 kg, and 6 months later, I nearly doubled to 65 kg. This I feel is an unnatural weight gain in such a short time, and now I don't go out due to feeling bad about how I look."

• Lot...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2012

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "Bipolar I - I take Zyprexa, Lithium, and Lamictal. Zyprexa is the only medicine that has controlled my severe depression, part of my bipolar. It has changed my life. I am slightly hungrier, but I'll take that over feeling so depressed."

• nei...
• August 29, 2016

For Depression "I'm 47 and have had classic depression and anxiety since my early 20s. Been on citalopram, fluoxetine, maritizapam, and now sertraline. Also have diazepam as a backup. This year has been extremely difficult, no major incidents, but my depression was changing from day to day. No ups, but plenty of downs. Finally, couldn't cope and pressured the doctor to give me something for mood swings in addition to my sertraline. I can say I have felt the best I ever had in 20 years!!!! My mood before was a 4/10 and now it's a 7/10, which is great for me. I even seem to get excited about life, which I haven't done for years. It does make me hungry, but I don't care as this so far is a lifesaver. Also gives me a very dry mouth, so need lots of water."

• kry...
• September 25, 2013

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on a 5 mg tablet for almost 2 years. I started off on one tablet a night, then cut my dose down to half a tablet, currently taking a 1/4 tablet during the day because I always miss my alarm if I take it at night. I oversleep way too much, always tired, brain feels foggy. I've gained 30 pounds, and it's getting harder to take it off. I'm always hungry and always thirsty. It helps with behaviors. I still flip out, but way less often."

• Geo...
• February 26, 2021

For Depression "I was prescribed 2.5 mg of this medication for sedation. I took it for roughly a week, and it caused my hunger to skyrocket. I stopped it, and my otherwise mild depression has become unbearable. I am crying and scared. Never felt this bad ever before. I was so much better. Hope this ends someday, and I am back to my previous self. I am not the only one with such an experience. Can anyone with a similar experience please share how long the worsened depression lasts?"

• Cwi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

For Insomnia "This medication olanzapine is great for sleep and OCD (Obsessive Thoughts). I take 10 mg at night and sleep all night long. I didn't rate this a 10 because it does 100% have a side effect that is hard for me to become comfortable with, which is the increase in hunger. When I started taking this drug, I was underweight. Now I am back to my normal weight. It just increases your hunger, for sure. So if you struggle with weight issues, I would look into something else before this drug. But as far as sleep goes, it is perfect. I just am going to have to get used to the increased hunger and how to control it."

• Rac...
• April 13, 2017

Olanzapine "I've had insomnia off and on since my daughter was born 11 years ago. I've tried everything under the sun for my insomnia. I started Zyprexa 6 weeks ago, currently taking 30 mg a night, and I can honestly say I feel like a new person. I'm sleeping about 9.5 hours a night now and feel great when I wake up! It does make me feel hungrier, but I work out daily and stick to just 3 meals a day with no snacking in between, and my weight is fine."

• Sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2018

For Insomnia "I take 10 mg late evenings alongside my antidepressant called Depakote. Makes me tired and quickly settles me down 1 hr, then quality sleep normally. Have weird dreams and lots of dreaming, seemingly. Appetite-wise, I'm seemingly feeling constantly hungry and therefore doubling my usual daily food intake, so weight gained real quick. How can I lose it again whilst on olanzapine?"

• Tim...
• July 24, 2015

For Insomnia "I was prescribed Olanzapine for insomnia, and it worked like a charm. I was on 2.5 mg, sometimes 5 mg, and would always get 8 to 10 hours of sleep without waking. Also, no severe hangover effect the following morning. The downside is it significantly increases your appetite, so you need to be cautious of subsequent weight gain, thus, I would only recommend olanzapine if you're suffering from a severe bout of insomnia."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2024

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I had heavy and severe OCD, anxiety, panic attacks, delusion, derealization, and I couldn't take it anymore. Then the doctor prescribed me Olanzapine 5 mg/day. In 3 days I was feeling like my old self and happier. My thoughts were regular thoughts, nothing crazy, it completely stopped the ruminating thoughts with which I was physically/mentally exhausted before taking Zyprexa. Yes, you will feel hungry more, but for the time being, it’s worth having this side effect. You can watch your weight gain by drinking lots of water and exercising. I feel good knowing there is this drug when I go down again in the future."

• sch...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2015

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "This drug has turned down the volume on a lot of my voices, which is great. I sleep better and take more naps during the day. I also notice my appetite increased, which is where I think people mean they gain weight on this med. I just exercise an hour a day. My mood is kinda flat-lined."

• 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."