Olanzapine and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Rea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2020

Olanzapine for Major Depressive Disorder "I started taking Zyprexa when I was hospitalized for suicide. It worked; I felt less suicidal because I felt more dull. Zyprexa is a medication meant for short-term use, and many people end up on it for years and years. It acts as a sexual suppressant, though, which I didn’t notice until I was off of it and suddenly felt more easily turned on. It is very hard to get off it and has some side effects; it took me 1 year to taper it down, and when I finally got off of it, I am now having terrible issues sleeping."

• 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."

• Goo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2015

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "Was hospitalized after a psychotic break, prescribed Zyprexa 20mg. At first, the medicine was okay, my paranoia and schizophrenic thoughts went away. But after about two weeks, I started to notice the side effects. Weight gain was the most obvious, I gained 40 pounds in two months, and sleep-I was sleeping 9-12 hours a night. It was difficult to wake up in the morning. During the day, I felt unmotivated, and at work, I had no energy even after drinking an energy drink. Lowered my dose to 5mg, it didn't make a difference. After about 6 months, I had enough, decided to try another medication. Now I feel much better. Bottom line: Zyprexa was the worst med I've ever tried. If you want to try this med, beware, you will gain weight."

• Son...
• September 1, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I'm a 34-year-old female who has obsessive thoughts about getting cancer. I have been battling OCD since I was 14, and this med has been a life changer. Although I still have thoughts, I don't freak myself out half as bad. I sleep like a baby, too! I have gained weight but am losing it now. 8 pounds total."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2022

For Insomnia "This medication makes me feel foggy headed and like a zombie. I have no hope of a decent life while taking it. But every time I try coming off of it, I can't sleep. After 4 days of no sleep, I can't take it anymore. Please help. Anyone who knows how to get off of this stuff, please reach out to me. It has ruined my life."

• 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."

• Dun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 9, 2020

For Depression "I used 5 mg of olanzapine every day for the past 8 months, and when I read a little more about it, I decided it wasn't for me. I have been tapering for about 6 weeks, and I have now been off it for 12 days, and my withdrawal symptoms are so bad I can't do daily things. I look like I'm even canceling my golf game... it is the pits, and together with an enlarged prostate, I get no sleep and feel sick all day. I don't eat much as I don't feel like anything, and all I can hope is that these withdrawal symptoms go away SOON. I wish my doctor would've told me about these issues BEFORE prescribing it to me."

• Pho...
• June 23, 2021

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was put on this drug because the doctor thought I was bipolar. Three years later, two psychiatrists have told me I need to get off of the Zyprexa ASAP. I was first put on 15 mg, which made me tired when I woke up. All day, I felt drugged out, and I gained 40 pounds. I am now only taking 10 mg and am lowering my dosage to 5 mg to finally get off of this drug for good. The withdrawal symptoms I have noticed from getting off Zyprexa are increased anxiety and difficulty sleeping. The best way to get off of Zyprexa with minimal problems is to taper slowly. I would rather deal with the withdrawal symptoms than being drugged out to the point I can’t function. I also take this with another antidepressant and am convinced I had symptoms similar to serotonin syndrome. Please use caution and only use this drug as a last resort option. It has a black box label for a reason. The long-term risks of staying on this drug include psychosis and medication-induced Parkinson’s disease."

• Mom...
• November 4, 2020

For Schizophrenia "My son suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and has been on olanzapine for 3 months. After a month, the medicine took effect, and he seemed calmer and less delusional. But it lost its effectiveness by the third month, and he started talking aggressively, delusional, irritable, uncontrollable movement in his mouth, lack of sleep, and then he had a seizure recently! Olanzapine is only a temporary short-term fix, and it can possibly cause brain damage. I wouldn't recommend it at all."

• Bil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 9, 2021

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I have schizophrenia. I was on 40 mg of Zyprexa for 14 years, lots of side effects such as 70 lbs weight gain, high cholesterol and triglycerides, diabetes, and it made me sleep like you wouldn't believe, 10-12 hours a night. But it did work well for my anxiety and psychosis. However, after 14 years, it lost effectiveness. I started having hallucinations again. It took me 3 years of a slow taper to get off it, and the withdrawals have still been a nightmare, all kinds of weird symptoms (which have all disappeared now) but the main problems remaining are anxiety and insomnia. I never had insomnia problems before or during the use of this medication. I've been off it for almost 2 months now and am still experiencing anxiety and insomnia. I was switched to Latuda, which is a phenomenal medication, no side effects and total effectiveness for my schizophrenia."

• Man...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 21, 2022

For Agitation "Let me warn all of you. I have been on this medicine for 2 years. Kept it because it lessened my anxiety. But any motivation you had prior will be shot. I'm now attempting to get off, and it is the WORST withdrawal process. Unable to swallow, nausea. TERRIBLE insomnia. Please. Please. I would give anything to go back to before I was prescribed this."

• kcc...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 21, 2025

For Bipolar Disorder "Was put on this med for a psychotic episode. Worked great, however, every day I feel like a zombie. It's been 3 yrs. I sleep great, but in research, others coming off, once you come off, you will have permanent insomnia. Many become suicidal coming off. I've also put on 20 pounds and now have high cholesterol."

• str...
• April 16, 2010

Olanzapine for Depression "Developed depression and significant anxiety this fall. Doctor started me on Lexapro, but that wasn't controlling the anxiety, loss of appetite, and insomnia. Added Zyprexa and almost instantly felt much, much calmer, could eat, and slept well. Was very sleepy/tired for the first few days but acclimated within a week. The problem I did have was with weight gain. Thought my life had calmed down and I could do without the medicines, but have found that not to be the case. Did not have any issues weaning off the Lexapro and Zyprexa. Just started Pristiq yesterday. Hoping and praying for good things."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 1, 2012

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I have tried many meds: Seroquel, Risperidone, Abilify. Seroquel had me peeing all night long, burning sensation like a urinary tract infection. Abilify sex was good but gave me anxiety, fast heart rate, lightheaded feeling, fainting, and insomnia. So far, Zyprexa is the best for me. Sex is okay, having a problem with sensual sensation, dizzy sometimes. Now I am on 2.5 mg, I still feel dizzy. Even without it, you feel better if you take the pill. Weight gain: 30 lb. Triglycerides high."

• elu...
• September 28, 2018

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "I took this medication for 9 months before the voices in my head went away. I continued taking this medication for two years. I'm still not convinced that this medication had anything to do with the voices going away. I think if it were effective, the voices would have stopped sooner. I also always felt sedated and never had any motivation to do anything. I used to be the person who always read all of the recent news and was well-informed, but this medication turned me into a lazy and ill-informed person. I also used to run and do yoga often, but this medication made me have no motivation to do those things anymore. I gained 40 lbs on Zyprexa. I just started taking Latuda two weeks ago, and I have already lost 10 lbs and I feel like I have much more energy and motivation. The only issue is that now I have insomnia from Zyprexa withdrawal. I wish my doctors would have originally prescribed Latuda instead of Zyprexa so I wouldn't have had to deal with the withdrawal."

• Hon...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 13, 2018

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "Been on 20 mg a day for a couple of years. Been off of everything for about eight months. When I was taking it, I had zero issues with weight gain. Another huge benefit was that it reliably put me to sleep. Take my 20 mg football in the evening, and it’s lights out within two hours. But getting up in the morning was tough. Plus, it did slow me down mentally. I didn’t think it did, but I had a few old friends point out that I’m way slower than I used to be. Like most psych meds, it can work wonders for one patient and do more harm than good for another. Due to life’s circumstances, I had to quit cold turkey. Bad idea. Sleepless nights and all that... Thankfully, my condition is on a very mild end of the spectrum. You absolutely have to work with your doctor to find out what works best for YOU! All the best!"

• ACD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 8, 2022

For Insomnia "I have been taking 10 mg of this medication for about 9 months. At first, it helped me sleep through the night, but over time my sleep became less consistent. I suffer from insomnia due to anxiety and depression. My new GP has put me on a rapid tapering approach in conjunction with the starting of 30 mg of Cymbalta. As a result, I have not slept for 4 days. I wish that I had never taken this drug."

• Egg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2022

For Insomnia "My only problem was falling asleep before important days before olanzapine. The psychiatrist prescribed me 1.25 mg of olanzapine + SSRI. I realized that my mood was exactly the same, and the only difference was olanzapine was making me sleep so well. The crazy weight gain was unstoppable. Since my doctor did not care about my concerns, I stopped abruptly olanzapine of 1.25 mg. It has been 2 years, and it caused permanent insomnia. My only problem was falling asleep before this poison, and now my problem became maintaining the sleep. I see thousands of people suffering the same. If you are planning to use this for insomnia, just stay away from this poison. I believe psychiatrists are not aware of the real risks of this drug, and it may cause permanent damage. Just stay away from this thing. I lost my ability to sleep because of this, and eventually, it destroyed my life."

• Sle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2022

Olanzapine for Depression "Terrible drug prescribed to me because my doctor decided I was depressed or bipolar. Had faith in the wrong people. Drug companies and specialists who think all women are depressed. Had severe insomnia and told this would help me sleep. Terrible, terrible side effects. Maybe it works if you have these conditions but was prescribed on a 10-minute first visit appointment."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 19, 2020

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "Zyprexa worked for me to some extent. My paranoid thoughts and anxiety almost completely went away, however, I had some negative side effects. One major negative side effect was weight gain. This caused me to feel very insecure about myself. I had very poor eating habits, and I would crave foods that I wouldn't normally crave, especially at nighttime. I'm not sure if this is common or uncommon, but while I was taking Zyprexa, I felt emotionally numb. I couldn't feel emotions like I did prior to taking the medication. My sleep was also regulated while taking this medication, but I would sleep for long hours and would have difficulty waking up in the morning. I don't take Zyprexa anymore. It did help with some of my side effects relating to my mental illness, which I am glad about, but I feel that it caused negative effects in other aspects. I think we need to weigh the pros and cons because most medications won't be 'perfect' without any side effects."

• Lou...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 11, 2019

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have been on olanzapine for 9 months. I had psychosis and was started on it. I am back on a 10 mg dose - it was lowered to 7.5 mg recently because of weight gain during that time. I was incredibly anxious, agitated, had insomnia, began seeing things, was tearful, and my anger increased. I have only been back on the 10 mg for a couple of days, but I feel less agitated, am still seeing things, but it is lessening. I am less jumpy. I am less tearful, and my sleep is improving. I plan on staying at this dose because it did help me in the past before the lowered dose. The key to keeping a stable weight is healthy eating and exercise, like walking, I think. Olanzapine really helps, so for me, weight gain is something I'll try and deal with. It is said the longer one is on it, your appetite stabilizes. I don't want to feel like I did before, so I am sticking with it. I was diagnosed with EUPD (emotionally unstable personality disorder) 10 years ago. I am close to 40 years old."

• Dee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 8, 2020

For Depression "I have been on olanzapine for about 3 years, and now I’m weaning off the medicine since April of 2020. At first, I was feeling okay, but when I was completely off the medicine, I experienced terrible withdrawal symptoms. I’m dealing with nausea, restlessness, and terrible insomnia. Don’t get on this med! Read about olanzapine before you start taking it."

• Gul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2016

Olanzapine for Insomnia "Started Zyprexa 5 mg for a week, bumped up to 10 mg... This medication works well for me. I'm able to control my depression and irritability better. Weight gain is fine for me as I only weighed 98 pounds when I started the medication. I am now 108 after two weeks and I am not complaining. I've been getting insomnia since starting the 10 mg. I wake up around 12, 1, or 2 in the a.m. and can't go back to sleep. Will definitely talk to Psych about this problem."

• ola...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 3, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been taking olanzapine for 2 years, and it helped me, but I gained a lot of weight to the point where my doctor and I agreed that I should get off it. I've been trying to get off this drug for 6 months and keep getting back on it because the withdrawal is so bad. I started having severe anxiety, racing thoughts, adrenaline attacks, and insomnia. I'm still trying to get off it. I wish someone would have told me that getting off this drug was hard, I wouldn't ever have gotten on it. Do not take this drug, it will mess you up!"

• Bru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 13, 2020

For Agitated State "We call this “the magic pill.” After months and months of being in a living nightmare, with paranoia, aggression, insomnia, and delirium, our relative (with vascular dementia) has got their life back. We read the horror stories and bad reviews, but our experience has been good-life-changing for the whole family."