Olanzapine and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Shi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2021

For Anorexia "I was on olanzapine 7.5 mg for 2 months. When we decreased my dose to 5 mg, I could not sleep at all. Then we started a liquid compound taper, with my psychiatrist reducing by 0.1 mg a week. Eight weeks into tapering, I ran again into insomnia, which I have never had before. I'm now stuck on this drug because if I reduce it further, I don't sleep. It caused permanent brain damage. This drug should be withdrawn from the market, and the people behind it should be made responsible."

• Hal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 15, 2021

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Was on this for 3 years, which was a cognitively impaired blur. Now, after 11 months of tapering, I'm having such bad complications on it I have to get off. I'm terrified of the insomnia I know I'm going to face because of how severe it is as a withdrawal symptom. If you are going to take this med, PLEASE do your research and know yourself well enough, otherwise, you may end up in a seriously dysfunctional situation because of it."

• Har...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 28, 2021

"My doctor wanted me to cut down on alprazolam, which I have been taking for 30-plus years. My alprazolam was cut in half, and I was given olanzapine 2.5 mg to take at night. My life went into a nightmare, I turned into a zombie and didn’t want to do anything anymore. After 14 months on this drug, I told my doctor I wanted off. I was told to taper down for two weeks, so I did. After I stopped completely, the withdrawal started. Anxiety like I had never had before, couldn’t sleep, and wanted to die, or rather didn’t care if I did. Now I have been off of olanzapine for two months and still suffer every day. Please don’t take this drug, it has ruined my once controlled anxiety and made my life a nightmare. I can only hope I get back to where I was before I was given this drug."

• Kee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 4, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine made me go from 115 pounds, never having weight problems, to 160 pounds in a year while being on it. The weight gain is a big concern, and it makes me hungry every moment of the day. I needed to stop taking it. It did work for my mood and sleep, but at the cost of gaining weight, it’s not worth it. I wish I never took this because now I’m having to lose all this weight on top of all the other issues, like not being able to sleep without taking this medicine."

• del...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 4, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I switched to olanzapine after being on Seroquel. It makes me sleep and eat a lot (I don't mind the eating, I was at 150 pounds before taking antipsychotics), but after almost a month, I'm starting to be more awake, but it does not completely eliminate my psychotic experiences. So I'm going to switch to another one. But overall, I like olanzapine better than Seroquel and it seemed to work a little bit better for me than most people."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 23, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "My wife saw an improvement in my bipolar, tapping my manic episodes down. Unfortunately, insomnia and restless arms at night did not make the improvement worth it, I was a wreck from lack of good sleep. I was only able to get short bursts of sleep. On to something new."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 8, 2025

For Insomnia "I've been on 7.5-10 mg nightly for about 2 weeks. I'm glad I found my new GP because the previous 2 were so reluctant to give me - first a script for Stilnox, and then this. So the new GP took me off Stilnox and put me on olanzapine. It's been a Godsend. Previous GPs had me go through 2 months of 0-2 hours of sleep nightly on melatonin, I was suicidal from lack of sleep. I will update this when I've been on it longer, but I'm sleeping about 8-10 hours on this, and my partner says it's like night and day what this drug has done for me. I thank God for my GP and this drug. I also start citalopram tomorrow to boost my daytime mood as I get PMDD."

• Hea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "Was prescribed this medication for bipolar. It caused a serious amount of weight gain! I was CONSTANTLY hungry. So hungry, it was almost painful! Gained 42 lbs. I had to get off of it! When I got off, withdrawals were TERRIBLE! I began to feel mildly paranoid and experienced really severe insomnia! Had to take sleeping pills every night!!! Well, a couple months later, I'm STILL suffering. The insomnia is going away, but I am extremely paranoid! I constantly think people are out to get me, everyone hates me, everyone is talking about me!!! I've never had paranoia THIS BAD!!! I also struggle immensely with depression and anger! When I first got off of it, I felt CRAZY!!! PLEASE, DO NOT take this med. You might feel okay for the time you are on it, but withdrawal, even when done correctly, WILL make you LOSE YOUR MIND!!! I have taken almost every med out there, I'm nearly out of options, but never before have I taken a med with withdrawal effects this bad."

• Cyb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I am currently trying to get off of this medicine, and it has the worst withdrawal symptoms. My body hurts, my head is pounding, I can't sleep, and I'm sick to my stomach. I have currently tapered off to 2.5 mg every other day. I think I will cut those in half and do that every other day, and hopefully the withdrawal symptoms won't be so bad."

• Iha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I was sectioned in the hospital about 3 months ago and was forced to take this drug at 15 mg each night. It causes depression, anxiety, massive weight gain of 50 lbs within 1.5 months, it makes you diabetic, eradicates your sleep quality so you never feel rested, and feels like you’re on MDMA. The side effects of withdrawal have been feeling low (suicidal), complete insomnia, and I can’t sleep at all and sleep all day and never feel rested, and brain damage that God knows how long will take to heal. I really don't like this drug with my whole soul and being, it just shrinks your cortex so you can’t think about anything, let alone depression or mania - you’re just dumb!"

• DON...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 2, 2020

For Insomnia "Was on olanzapine for 6 months. It caused permanent brain damage, and now I can't sleep at night. DO NOT TAKE THIS!!! This is the most addicting drug in the world!!! Trash psychiatrist."

• cru...
• April 7, 2023

For Insomnia "Worst withdrawal symptoms I've ever had. I've had insomnia for almost 3 months now. I've stayed awake for 5 days at most, but it's usually 3 to 4 days per week. Absolutely no benefit."

• Dir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 11, 2013

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "10 mg Zyprexa gave me insomnia due to restless legs. It had minimal impact on my symptoms. I gained 30 lb in a matter of weeks."

• pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2021

For Depression "This medication is horrible. It caused akathisia and insomnia when I tried to come off. Please, for the love of God, do not take this horrible medication. Read the reviews."

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

For Insomnia "Stay away from this medication. I was on 10 mg for about 8 months for insomnia. I tapered off about 3 weeks ago, and since stopping, I have barely slept."

• CDD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2021

Olanzapine for Depression "Horrible, the withdrawal from even the lowest of dosages is a nightmare. Insomnia, weight gain, leg shakes, worsening anxiety, etc. - it sucks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2023

For Insomnia "I was on the drug for 3 months and now I can't sleep. Has anyone's sleep improved with time after they got insomnia?"

• AWi...
• March 16, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Although the drug works while you are on it, you don't really want to take it long-term. It causes serious weight gain and leaves you with insomnia if you try to stop it."