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Zyprexa User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

Zyprexa has an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 from a total of 419 reviews on Drugs.com. 48% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 32% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Zyprexa

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • jor...
  • February 4, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Zyprexa for about six months. It takes a long time to work (about five months), but when it does, you feel much better. I had to struggle with suicidal thoughts for several months before it started working. You HAVE to take this if you are bipolar. Do NOT stop taking it, and have hope. If you are down or up and are reading this, then you have to remember suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary mood. I know the struggle, and Zyprexa will help if you keep taking it."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • December 5, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar II and have tried multiple medications. Sadly, I have had to get off this medication because it caused me to gain 20 lbs within a few short months, and also made my thinking slow down. However, this without a doubt was one of the best medications I have tried. I was able to finally get some rest and didn't constantly wake up throughout the night. My depressive thoughts decreased, though they were still there sometimes, they were manageable. I was able to go days without feeling completely poorly. My racing thoughts decreased, and I felt like I could think without having racing thoughts, or having 100 ideas going on in my head at once. My irritation levels almost ceased to exist. I was pleasantly surprised to see after trying several medications, that this is one of the only medications that has worked on me. If you can get around the weight gain, this is definitely a medication that is a must-try. Maybe I will try this medication again in the future if all else fails."

8 / 10
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  • wil...
  • May 3, 2016

For Depression "Started on Zyprexa 5mg along with 80mg of Prozac and 200 mg of lamictal. I don't remember the last time I have felt this good. My family feels like they are living with a different person. I feel like a different person. My dose of Prozac was upped and the lamictal the same day they added Zyprexa. I feel wonderful but am gaining weight. Even when my stomach feels full and bloated, I sometimes still want to eat. I'm afraid to stop the Zyprexa because my life was a living hell for me and everybody in it. I never want to go back there. I couldn't survive such a deep dark depression again. I used to believe all the good years were gone and I was just existing. But now I am living and loving it!!! But I am extremely worried about the weight gain. I already have type 2 diabetes."

10 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • JAM...
  • October 21, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "Had a breakdown at age 15 and eventually got on Zyprexa. Like everybody else said, I gained about 30-40 pounds, could be very sleepy sometimes, but it completely stopped the voices I was hearing for the past 8 months. It gave me my life back. Just kinda woke up feeling normal after being on the medicine for a few days. It was amazing. Was on 10mg at the highest and worked all the way down to 2.5mg over the next year. Had a prayer service at my church (Doctor was okay with us taking a trial run off medicines since I had been doing well on a low dose for the past few months) and now have been off meds and completely fine for over 10 years now. Very thankful."

9 / 10
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  • Mis...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 5, 2020

For Depression "I've been on Zyprexa for 9 months now. Zyprexa has done wonders for me. No more spontaneous deep, dark days ahead of me, my close family can really see a difference. I'm just worried about the long-term effects of this drug. I have bipolar I with psychosis."

8 / 10
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74 Report

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  • Onz...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 23, 2021

For Depression "So, one doctor recommended me to take this pill without any reason why. The effects of this drug were: - insomnia - bruises on my neck - weight gain - desire for sugars - anger and low estimation of situations. Giving drugs for schizophrenia for just depressive people? Think about it twice."

1 / 10
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  • Cha...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 4, 2023

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar disorder and have been on risperidone for years. I thought it was working, but I was unable to keep a job and was just very depressed and anxious in general. My doctor kept trying to get me to take Zyprexa, but I was scared of the weight gain and scared of trying something new. After a very severe manic episode, I went with the doctor's advice and took Zyprexa. I am so glad I did! I felt some relief within the first week, and now it has been 3 months, and I am a new person. I am doing good at work, I am not afraid to talk to people, I can handle criticism, I am overall so positive, and have not gained any weight. This drug has saved my life."

10 / 10
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  • NoJ...
  • March 28, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I take 10 mg of Zyprexa at night, and it makes me feel like I've been chemically lobotomized. Not to mention the irritability and being tired all the time. This medication made me sleep for 10 whole hours, and I still feel sleepy after waking up. Also, my motor skills have been cut in half, I keep stumbling over stuff like I'm drunk and having blurred vision all day. This medication is a mental handicap in a bottle. How in the world does this help with schizophrenia and depression? I would not recommend this medication to anybody. Eli Lilly should be ashamed of themselves."

1 / 10
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  • Chr...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • March 27, 2016

For Insomnia "It's definitely a love/hate relationship with Zyprexa. I have tried virtually every sleep drug available, and it was one of the best because it not only put me to sleep, but it also kept me asleep for 8 hours. I started at 2.5mg, then 5mg, and eventually 7.5mg. It did take a long time to kick in though, so I had to take it 2 hours before bedtime. Like everyone who takes this, I gained weight. But I found one way you can actually lose weight on this drug, which is to combine exercise with the Atkins diet (low carb). Zyprexa gives you metabolic syndrome. You no longer burn carbs, which means all carbs you eat become body fat, leading to weight gain. I decided to discontinue this medication after 1 year."

5 / 10
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100 Report
  • gro...
  • October 12, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "For me, this is a miracle drug, one of a kind, worth everything. After years suffering with severe anxiety, OCD, and minor bipolar, I find myself again enjoying life: cooking, playing with my kids, reading books and magazines, sleeping properly, eating with a good appetite, and having a clear mind, good mood, happy. I am gaining a huge amount of weight, but it's worth it, I'd rather be fat and have a normal mind than be skinny and agitated and nervous. I was browsing before and was afraid of side effects, but now I am here to let you know it's the best thing to do for yourself - to take this medication."

10 / 10
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  • bbc...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 7, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "This medication is the best in the world. It's true. It made me gain tons of weight, about 30 pounds. But after years of going from med to med, I must tell you this one is the one that works. It calmed me down and brought happiness to me, my husband, and my family. So, what matters, slim or fat, if I'm not happy? This med is a miracle. Don't hesitate for a second to take it."

10 / 10
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  • Mea...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 31, 2018

For Depression "A doctor said I had bipolar and put me on Zyprexa and Lexapro. It was a nightmare, I told my doctor it made my depression worse and that I developed restless leg syndrome while on it. The doctor completely ignored me. After months of this horrible nightmare, I switched doctors and was told I am NOT bipolar, but suffer from depression. I was tapered off Zyprexa and now I feel 100% better. Thankful."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • January 16, 2011

For Depression "I took Klonopin and Paxil for 15 years to treat my anxiety disorder. I had to detox from the Klonopin this past spring. I got off the Klonopin and switched my Paxil to Lexapro (sex side effect issue). I am also a recovering alcoholic. My doctor did not want me on Benzo's anymore (says it increased alcohol cravings). I stayed on Lexapro only for 9 months, but my anxiety came back strong on just the Lexapro alone. I almost resorted to taking Xanax before I switched doctors. My new doc gave Zyprexa a chance. I am on my 7th day and I haven't felt this 'normal' in 5 years. I take 5mgs at night and it has ended the 'chatter' in my head, and removed my anxiety. Great medicine so far."

10 / 10
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  • dpo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 16, 2023

For Depression "This drug ruined my life. I was experiencing a mild depression and wanted a 'buffer' before I started my new career in Atlanta, GA, at Emory Hospital. The night I took Zyprexa, I slept 12+ hours. I immediately started to gain weight - my lean muscle tissue was replaced by adipose tissue. I developed gynecomastia (man boobs). I was tired and irritable all day due to Zyprexa's anti-dopaminergic effects. In a frenzied effort to heal my body, I spent so much money on organic foods because no matter how healthy I ate and how much I exercised, I kept gaining weight. This drug was a nightmare and took me about 3 months of absolute terror to heal from."

1 / 10
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28 Report
  • jog...
  • November 2, 2011

For Depression "I have taken Zyprexa 2.5 with Zoloft for years and couldn't function without this combination. It was prescribed because the Zoloft just didn't take care of the insomnia and mood swings. Zyprexa 2.5 has been a Godsend."

10 / 10
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  • Ite...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 16, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Stay away from Zyprexa. I had a massive weight gain, diabetes, cholesterol problems, significantly makes your brain dull, unable to think properly, have no emotions, anxiety. Sleep a lot. I think it destroys your brain chemistry. Unable to taper off as the withdrawals are extreme."

1 / 10
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  • Sug...
  • December 25, 2014

For Insomnia "I went to a psychiatrist for sleep meds and was prescribed 5 mg Zyprexa. It helped me sleep, but as soon as I stopped taking the medicine after two weeks, I experienced severe insomnia, sweating, palpitations, agitation, depression, and agitation. I had to be put back on it to stabilize. I am now taking 7.5 mg. I don't like the effect on me, and I will try to taper off of this medicine. I wish I had known about the side effects and withdrawal symptoms of this medicine."

2 / 10
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  • Cos...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • September 21, 2017

For Schizophrenia "This drug saved my life. I had been on almost all atypical meds with no luck. Now I have been on 40 mg of Zyprexa for 10 years with no relapses, and have even managed to hold down a job. I gained 20 pounds and am now a type 2 diabetic, but it was worth it. My family and friends noticed rapid improvements within a week of starting Zyprexa. A little hint: when starting Zyprexa, ask your doctor to prescribe benztropine, it prevents many of the negative side effects of Zyprexa. I hope this review helps someone :-)"

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 17, 2013

For Insomnia "I used Zyprexa (2.5mg) at night for insomnia caused by anxiety and obsessive thoughts. It is the only thing that helped me sleep that is not addictive and actually worked. It also helped my appetite because when I don't sleep well, I don't feel like eating much either. This medication helped with that also. Unfortunately, I cannot use it often because it causes my blood sugar to shoot up sky high, and I don't like the risk of tardive dyskinesia. I only take a very small dose when I haven't slept in a while."

6 / 10
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  • Jil...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 3, 2024

For Major Depressive Disorder "I was put on Zyprexa 12.5 mg this past summer when I was hospitalized. Along with Nortriptyline, it saved my life. I was constantly anxious and suicidal. Zyprexa does increase your appetite, but if you count calories, avoid binging, and take Metformin 500 mg twice daily, you don’t have to gain weight. I also exercise daily. Zyprexa worked on everything: Anxiety, depression, and insomnia. It’s mildly sedating, but won’t knock you out like Seroquel will. These meds are a tricky business, and I wish all of you well. Hang in there if you’re suffering."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • February 26, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "I am 27 and have been dealing with manic depression for most of my life. I take Lamictal 250mg and Wellbutrin 300mg. I was very recently put on Zyprexa for the first time after a suicide attempt and hospitalization. I was VERY reluctant to try it because I've read all the side effects. I tried it (2.5mg). I have to admit it changed my life after ONE (low) dose! It was like I went to bed hanging on by a thread and woke up with all my strings attached. I saw quick results. No waiting for a month to see if it will work. Since I have only been taking this medicine for a week, I haven't had any side effects yet. So far, it has really, really been a miracle. Mood stability has always been a really huge issue for me and this has taken care of it."

8 / 10
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  • Hol...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 19, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I have had great luck with this drug. I feel happy and hopeful again. I used to have serious breakdowns every two years, but I have a strong feeling Zyprexa is going to reduce or even put a stop to those occurrences. I am able to enjoy activities and feel pleasure and contentment. I feel as close to non-bipolar as I think I ever will. I just hope this drug has longevity and can be used for decades, like my prescriber said it could."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • January 1, 2009

For Schizophrenia "This medication killed my schizophrenia in two months. But I gained 20 pounds, which is okay considering I was a little underweight. The worst side effect was that my eyes would not move. Finally, a doctor told me to cut down my dosage from 10 mg to 5 mg, and this lowered the occurrence. When I lowered it to 2.5 mg, the side effect completely went away. Now I feel great, and the schizophrenia is still gone. I recommend Zyprexa, but the doctor has to be really careful with the dosage."

8 / 10
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  • Loc...
  • March 24, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed as bipolar in 1987. I've always been treatment-resistant. Nothing, and I mean no meds, have ever helped me before. I've tried everything over the years, only to have bad side effects and no relief. ECT was actually being recommended to me, then my doctor put me on a Zyprexa/Prozac combination and for the first time in my life, I've gotten relief from my symptoms and no side effects. I can finally think clearly. I feel like a totally new person, a much better one."

10 / 10
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90 Report
  • nic...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 27, 2015

For Insomnia "This medicine is a Godsend. I've tried every sleeping pill in the book (Ambien, Trazodone, Seroquel, Elavil, etc.). None of them would keep me asleep the whole night. 10mg of this and I sleep like a baby and don't have the racing thoughts. Only problem is it's real hard to get out of bed and get moving."

9 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.