Olanzapine and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 4)

• jam...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 14, 2018

For Depression "I have been on this drug for the last several months on 5 mg/day. For most of my life, I have been underweight or at a healthy weight level (work out on a regular basis). However, with this drug, I am overweight even though I am on a caloric-restricted diet. This drug initially caused a noticeable increase in suicidal thoughts and ideation as well. Eventually, it wore off for the most part. However, I no longer feel anxious, but I also kinda feel 'empty' inside -- I don't feel fully human, almost like a robot. I am trying to get off this medication because I felt that while it did improve my depression/anxiety, it robbed me of my motivation, personality, and a fully functional brain. My cognition has taken a noticeable decline since on this medication -- I feel like I stepped back into the 7th/8th grade, mentally. Also, short-term memory has significantly declined."

• ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2023

Olanzapine for Major Depressive Disorder "This medication is so annoying. I was on a low mg and didn’t feel a difference at all, but when it finally got upped just by .5, I felt SO irritable. Also gained massive weight on it, and I barely ate. I have horrible eating habits as it is, to where I eat maybe twice at max a day, but I gained 45 lbs on this medication in the span of not even two months. I was on 5 mg."

• Ple...
• September 10, 2019

For Depressive Psychosis "Like a former commenter said, it's hard to feel any emotion while taking olanzapine. Dumbs down your IQ as well. Along with gaining weight and an increase in diabetes. Scary enough that you can't cry... AT ALL while taking it. If you value what makes you human, stay away from this poison. No healing from this 'medicine.'"

• 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?"

• Dav...
• March 13, 2017

For Borderline Personality Disorder "This medicine is very powerful and is easily the best medicine that I've taken for borderline personality disorder. If you go down the list of symptoms for BPD, this medicine basically takes care of all of them, with two major side effects: sleepiness and weight gain. I have tried almost all of the SSRIs and SNRIs, Wellbutrin, Saphris, and Abilify, and nothing works as good or as quickly as Zyprexa."

• Tyl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 21, 2023

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Zyprexa for about three years now. It honestly saved my life. I'm no longer having delusional thoughts or manic episodes. Of course, you have to do your part by taking it when scheduled or else you won't get the full benefits. I gained some weight (healthy weight). I was unbelievably skinny and didn't realize it until this medicine put healthy weight on me. People take medication for all different reasons, so I don't see why taking a medication for your mental health is negative. You don't tell a diabetic to stop taking his insulin, do you? Treat your mental health now and you won't regret it."

• 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."

• mic...
• July 15, 2019

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "For 5-6 years, I have taken Zyprexa for schizoaffective disorder. Weight gain isn't a problem if you lift weights 5x5 and eat lots of protein during the day and a casein shake at night. You might still gain weight, but it'll be muscle as long as you cut out carbs and sugar while eating more protein than your body weight and a lot of fat that'll do it."

• Tor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 28, 2018

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I love Olanzapine. It was a life changer. However, I've put on 10+ pounds since I started taking it in about September 2017. Do not smoke or drink often, though (more than once a week), because I find when I do, the effects of the medication aren't as substantial. I struggle with alcoholism and find it hard to stay alcohol-free. So, because I don't listen to myself, the pills aren't working as well. Usually, my thoughts are clear, my anxiety is minimal, and I'm able to LIVE. But lately, I'm crippled emotionally. Stay away from alcohol and drugs while on Olanzapine."

• Non...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 14, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Olanzapine (Brand Name Zyprexa) is a terrific medication that I settled on after trying every single antipsychotic (except Clozaril) with poor, sometimes intolerable results. I was initially scared of the radical weight gain I'd heard about, but when I actually started taking it, I found that I actually lost 5-10 pounds! So definitely don't discount this drug due to weight gain...it's different for everybody. It does cause daytime sedation, but after being hospitalized 12 times, I gave up on trying to stay slim or going back to work one day and 'gave in' to the olanzapine...it was always the one drug I wanted to reach for when in any uncomfortable state of mind, and that told me that it was the drug for me. I take 7.5 mg and it helps both with psychotic symptoms such as thought disorganization and delusions, and with mood stabilization, both of which are part of my schizoaffective disorder. I highly recommend you give this medicine a try to ease and comfort your mind."

• qui...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2016

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I was admitted to the hospital for severe hydration due to vomiting from being sick for a week, and prior to that, completely lost my appetite due to a gluten intolerance. I had become frustrated with food, and I couldn't sleep, was angry all the time. I was put on Apo-Olanzapine, aka Zyprexa, and set up with a psychiatrist as an outpatient. Here's the thing: I was prescribed this medication by the psychiatrist for weight gain, but it also boosts my mood as well. I feel like I'm on a level playing field and the game is fair again. It definitely helps with depression, as I don't feel all is consuming me anymore, and I eat everything in sight. I put 5 pounds on in 1 week! So beware of that. It's strange because you crave food, all you do is think about food... lol."

• Las...
• February 7, 2020

For Depression "I have had depression and anxiety for many years. I believe my psychiatrist falsely diagnosed me as having mild psychosis because of my description of my traumatic history in an unusual religious culture. I talked about demons but was not experiencing voices, images, or delusions. It was just part of the culture. Olanzapine ruined my physical health - high blood pressure, severe weight gain, and continual tiredness. As it sedated me, I stopped talking about my issues. This made others think my mental health improved, but inside I was suffering the same experience of trauma. I was threatened with detention if I stopped taking the medication until I resisted with legal action. The whole experience caused issues with my finances, my career, and my health, and I have struggled to recover. Maybe this medication would help with genuine psychotic issues short term, but off-label usage caused me harm. I would recommend reading the works of Joanna Moncrieff before taking or prescribing this drug."

• Pan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 2, 2013

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "This drug did its job. It stopped any mood swings for the most part, but the biggest downside was that I bloated up and slept heavily. I put on maybe 10-20 kgs whilst on this drug (I was on it for 2 years). Effective nonetheless."

• 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."

• IWa...
• April 14, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Hate it. Nothing but eat, sleep (which takes a majority of the day), no focus (almost fired from my job), weight gain, lowered cognitive function, worsening depression, suicidal thoughts, and no motivation whatsoever. This is a chemical lobotomy as a prescription pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 16, 2017

For Borderline Personality Disorder "At the age of 12, I was forced to take olanzapine at 15 mg for 3 years until I stopped the medication cold turkey against psychiatrists' orders. I slept on average 14 hours a day, and my emotional state was flatlined for the duration of those 3 years. I experienced several side effects that impacted my life in more ways than I can explain: constant shaking, excessive weight gain, and so many more. I remember accidentally taking a double dose and suffering the most intense pain I have ever experienced in my life to this day. This is the worst drug I have ever had the misfortune to take, and I think they need to stop giving it to children and adolescents immediately."

• Nab...
• December 20, 2016

Olanzapine for Schizophrenia "Worked great for me. Not only did it control my perception of reality, it also takes away the strange emotional attachments that I was having. It made me go from sitting on the couch hiding to working full time as an electrician, sometimes up to 10 hours a day, something I thought I would never be able to do again. There were only two problems. I was unmotivated, I didn't have any passion for life. I was just going through the motions. However, this is much better than being psychotic and suicidal. In the 9 months I was on the medication, I gained almost 100 pounds. This happened even when I was eating the same amount as before I was medicated. Again, this is far better than being angry and paranoid."

• Cor...
• August 9, 2009

Olanzapine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was prescribed Zyprexa to treat my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. I will say that my OCD behaviors were considerably helped, but the side effects were far too great for me. Thankfully, I'm a teacher and it was summer vacation because I couldn't wake up before 1 pm (granted, I do tend to sleep late in the summer, but not that late), and when I could finally pull myself out of bed, all I would be able to do until around 7 pm was lie on the couch with the posture of overcooked spaghetti, except when I was eating non-stop. The cravings were insatiable. I've always been very thin, but in that one summer I gained around 20 pounds. I had to switch medicines."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2022

For Depressive Psychosis "This drug is truly a gift from God. My life was an utter wreck because of my treatment-resistant depressive episodes/psychosis, but 5 mg olanzapine + trintellix 10 mg are letting me live a somewhat normal life at college. My thoughts are more organized, I’m bursting with energy, and I can FEEL again, like I did before I became ill. My head doesn’t feel hollow anymore, and my paranoia is gone. You don’t know how good that feels. Minimal weight gain too! At least for me."

• jig...
• December 12, 2013

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar 1 disorder. Started with 5 mg Zyprexa, now am on 7.5 mg at night. I find it really helps me with my moods. Some of the side effects for me are swollen ankles, weight gain, and sedative effect throughout the day."

• Bar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2017

For Paranoid Disorder "Olanzapine is very good for extreme paranoia. I was in multiple fights and at times was looking to fight. After the second day, it felt like I went through puberty again, but in a day this time. Balanced my mood, lowered agitation, eliminates paranoia, great for sedating as well. The only side effect I have is weight gain. Highly recommended if you think you can benefit."

• Edu...
• August 23, 2016

For Depression "This drug was prescribed to me for depression and anxiety, but it had an unexpected effect. I simply cannot stop eating. I eat the entire day, and right after I finish eating a full meal, I feel hungry as if I hadn't eaten anything, so I eat again and again. I have gained 9 kg in less than 3 weeks, and I am loving it. People always make fun of me because I'm skinny. I never thought a psychiatric drug could fix this. I am so happy when I look in the mirror. Olanzapine is the best drug if you are a skinny ectomorph who struggles with lack of appetite."

• Ste...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 9, 2022

Olanzapine for Depression "Absolutely a horrible medication. I got this as I was sick and was no longer able to be responsible for making any decisions. I was driving everyone mad and myself too, not to mention I gained a massive amount of weight. Before, I was athletic build and active and then became a zombie. No emotions. This is where I would warn everyone not to take this drug at all."

• Geo...
• November 28, 2019

For Paranoid Disorder "I have suffered from delusions since 2014 (5 years). This medication, olanzapine, for sure helps with psychosis better than risperidone and aripiprazole. So if you're looking for a sure fix to problems, then this medication is very useful. However, the side effects of this medication are long. In a year and a half, I have gained a bit of weight. I spent 9 months low on mood, suffering from persistent anhedonia and persistent nagging anxiety about the same things. This led me to dread the day when waking up. However, all was relieved with sertraline, other than the weight gain. The anxiety still comes, but it goes fast and changes the anxiety’s subject so it doesn’t just drone on. This medication, from my experience, is a very good baseline for psychotic disorders, it gets the job done and does so with some not-so-terrible side effects. I’m currently searching for a new antipsychotic as I’m tired of the same old side effects. I want something different for the next year or so. It does its job!!"

• 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."