Zyprexa and Weight Gain: What Users Say (Page 3)

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

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."

• Nab...
• December 20, 2016

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

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."

• Pho...
• June 23, 2021

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."

• jig...
• December 12, 2013

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."

• den...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 7, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "If you have any kind of dysfunction in life, agitation, have failed relationships, or can't hold a job or are housing insecure-Zyprexa is the magic bullet. I took 25 mg for 10 years, and my life completely turned around. I was on Seroquel, and it wasn't working for me. I couldn't achieve a calm state of mind to function from. I severely hated my parents and sister. I was in a succession of relationships with sick, demented, and cruel men. Zyprexa gave me my life back and completely better than before. I developed relationships with my family and had excellent boundaries with them also-I could choose how I protected myself and how I interacted with people. I don't throw myself at men who simply offer me 'crumbs.' What a pleasure and adventure life has become. It was a lot of work, but finally, I had Medicaid, I was able to get help. I gained 40 pounds. But now I take Lybalvi, which has 20 mg of Zyprexa and 10 mg of samidorphan. I should have done this decades ago, but I could not get health insurance."

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

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."

• Dir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "Got hospitalized. Upped to 10 mg morning and evening. This dose has helped my symptoms. I've had blackouts, panic attacks, and sex problems with every other atypical out there. Zyprexa is great. Only negative is gaining weight fast, while being slightly sedating, which makes it harder to exercise."

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

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."

• Glu...
• June 10, 2010

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Zyprexa for about 5 years. Started at 5 mg and am now at 2.5 or 1.25, depending on the day. This is for bipolar. I've tried to go off it (because I felt dulled and had a preoccupation with food) a few different times and had severe depression/anxiety symptoms recur. I also take Prozac (20 mg) and Lamictal (100 mg). I don't think the Lamictal does anything, but the Zyprexa seems to be the 'glue' that keeps me together. Weight gain was an issue, but I have recently lost 20 lbs through diet and exercise (and reducing dose). I would rather not have to take it, but it so greatly improves my quality of life that I feel I should stay on it."

• CTa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 11, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I am currently taking Zyprexa 2.5 mg for approximately 10 months in conjunction with Lexapro 30 mg and bupropion XL 300 mg for OCD, bipolar, anxiety, and depression. The meds helped to a point, and now I feel like I am not progressing in my therapy. I have just been increased to 5 mg of Zyprexa, so we shall see. My big concern is the weight gain. I've gained 30 pounds in a year and a half. I hope the weight gain isn't dose-related. To be continued...."

• Zzz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 29, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "Avoid this like the plague! I have had irreversible damage to my metabolic system because of this medication, including my thyroid. Evidence came out after the medication's release that they hid these symptoms to get a quick release. Gained 30 lbs in 2 months on this. I weaned off 10 years ago and am still dealing with the ramifications of this drug. Not worth it."

• Joa...
• November 16, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Zyprexa was my only miracle med, but health-wise it ruined me. I was on it for 10 years. All my long-term health risks that occurred were from this medication. In 10 years, I went from 112 to 296 pounds. I have low thyroid issues now and am on medication for life for that. I developed high cholesterol and vertigo. These are the long-term effects of Zyprexa, and I got them. Yes, it helps wonders, but why risk your health? Binge eating can occur, I developed that really badly also at the 7-year mark. I took it at night, and an hour later, I needed to eat nonstop. When they talk about higher side effects, it can happen and does. I started with the less severe and got the severe, and now it's a journey in itself for my health. I would stay cautious of this medication. For sure, it does cause extreme weight gain, which causes all other high-risk health issues."

• Riz...
• September 29, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Zyprexa is the best mood stabilizer I’ve been on. It is so calming. It decreases agitation, the racing thoughts, helps you sleep. Does not make me groggy - I take 7.5 mg at night. The only reason it’s not a 10 is I’ve gained some weight, so I’m taking some Topamax for it. Love Zyprexa."

• str...
• April 16, 2010

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."

• Dru...
• February 15, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I was on Zyprexa for 1 month and 1 week, and in that time, I gained 20+ pounds and did not help with any of the symptoms I was having. Didn't help with voices, delusions, paranoia. Nothing. Was really a complete waste of time, and to top it off, ruined how I look. (I used to be a very thin 160-pound male and am now 220...) That's from all the antipsychotics I've tried combined, Zyprexa being the worst one for weight. I give Zyprexa a 2 only because it did sedate me a bit, relieving anxiety. I'm now on Loxapine, which is supposed to be weight neutral, but I'm still putting weight on from that a bit."

• Opp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 1, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "Only been on Zyprexa for 5 days, but I'm loving it so far. I was hospitalized five days ago for extreme mania, they took me off of Abilify (which I believe caused the mania, I'd only been put on it two weeks before). They added Zyprexa 10 mg to my trazodone at night (also take Lamictal and Zoloft in the am). It was a bit too sedating at 10 mg, so they bumped it down to 5 mg, and it's perfect. I've always had mad munchies at night from the trazodone anyways, and am still not hungry until dinner anyways, so it isn't really causing me any weight gain. It brought me out of mania the first time I took it, I hope to never be without this med again, as of now. Again, just started it 5 days ago, but I've actually lost 4 pounds since then, and I can't say enough good about it!"

• cho...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 17, 2015

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I've been on Zyprexa since 2006. Although it causes weight gain, I've decided to weight train or do cardio for an hour every day, which is helping. The weight can continue, but from my experience, it was only when I was inactive. I also feel a little sedated, but that doesn't keep me from doing things. The hallucinations are about 90% gone. Overall, Zyprexa works for me, as it's one of the two drugs that worked because most of the other drugs I tried were not effective, reacted with my skin, or did nothing."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 5, 2012

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I've been taking Zyprexa for 3 years, and it completely eliminates symptoms such as delusions, irrational thoughts, and manic behavior associated with schizoaffective disorder. The biggest downside is high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia), high lipid levels (hyperlipidemia), and weight gain of 80 lbs (from 180 lbs to 260 lbs in 3 years)."

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

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."

• Nik...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 26, 2020

For Depression "Zyprexa made me have hallucinations the first 4 nights I had taken it. (Crazy, scary) Then they stopped. I gained a good amount of weight (but that didn't matter because I was extremely overweight). So this med basically saved my life. I don't feel 100% better off of it, but I do recommend that it's a decent drug. I've tried so many meds and there are so many more worse ones than this."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 12, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine is very effective for bipolar. Before this, I cannot sleep at night because my mind races. Finally, after taking this, I feel wonderful and not depressed anymore. The effect is weight gain, before this, my weight was just around 74 kg, now it went to 99 kg."

• eli...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 12, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I love Zyprexa (Olanzapine), it has calmed and removed my insanity. I no longer have panic attacks and irritability. I work in retail, and I have been in trouble several times with my managers because I snap at customers. But with Zyprexa, it all went away, it was amazing... BUT!!! I have to stop taking it because it caused SO MUCH weight gain. I used to weigh 170 lbs, and within a year, I now weigh 226 lbs. I don't even eat that much, and I still don't lose weight. There's no point in going to the gym and doing cardio because the pill prevents me from losing it. So now I have to ask my doctor to give me a medication that doesn't cause weight gain so I can lose the weight. I am so depressed that I have to stop taking it. It has worked wonders for me."

• elu...
• September 28, 2018

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

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!"