Fluoxetine / olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews

• MrSat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2013

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "After years of feeling as though I were slowly losing my mind to ruminations, agitation, depression, lack of focus and general brain-cooties, it finally dawned on me that I was bipolar and I sought treatment. You may read the other positive reviews on here and think they could be written by manufacturers, but you may be underestimating the efficacy of this medication, it is truly amazing. I feel like I did when I was a younger man, before mental illness took hold in my life. My mind is unencumbered and clear. I feel normal! I still can get sad, I still get annoyed by things, I still feel enthusiasm, but it's tempered, appropriate emotion. Symbyax is great. Try it. Minimal weight gain, by the way."

• Mulgrew
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 27, 2016

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "Symbax is like gold It has done wonders for my bipolar I can sleep at night with no racing thoughts my manic episodes no longer happen my depression is gone and my anxiety level is down I don't have that constant worry in my every day life that I use to have it keeps me level headed"

• Von
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 14, 2019

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "Day 4. Wow!!! I feel alive for the first time in 25 years. Tired first few days but am full of energy. No excess hunger yet either. Just feel great after feeling at the end of the road for so long. Wish I would have been put on this much sooner!"

• cowanj
• March 29, 2009

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "Only ten days and I am a new man. I have had zero weight gain. I don't eat everything I see. Racing thoughts are gone. I feel super light. I have energy like never before. I don't procrastinate simple tasks. I don't snap at people. I am way more active and do things that I want. I don't do anything self destructive. Anxiety gone. I am 28 and I didn't have a clue I was bipolar till 8 months ago. I feel like I just woke up and everyone around me can't believe how extremely different I am. I love my new life. I take this with Lithobid. Did I mention how awesome life is."

• Bowen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2019

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "I figured I would wait a couple months to leave a review so I had actual experience urging this medicine. I have come to the conclusion that this medicine is a GOD SEND. I'm able to handle life a lot better now, I’m not sad, aggravated, upset and bitter towards the world anymore. I’m happy, content and excited for what life brings. I started on 3.5/25mg and now I’m at 5mg/20mg. This is the perfect dosing, I’m able to sleep through the night (I do sleep at lot harder now then I did) & I’m not near as anxious as I was. This is a great medicine . I have gained 10 lbs in just a few months but it’s worth every pound."

• Twota...
• January 13, 2020

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "I have been taking for five years now. I was in a manic out of control state when I was given this med. From day one I was a different person. All my obsessiveness went a way. My original psychiatrist retired and it gets harder to find someone who still uses this drug. It saved my life. I swear"

• Hanging...
• May 23, 2013

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "I have been on this medication for over 4 years now. I was able to go to Nursing school and have been working in the field now for almost 2 years. I'm less anxious, I don't get frustrated. I'm calmer. I did gain almost 60 pounds. This has been an issue for me. I also noticed that I'm not in tune as much spiritually which is an issue for me. I stay on the medicine because I have never functioned as well on anything else. I don't cry much, seems like my emotions are hidden somewhat. I'm not sure I like that. I have thought about getting off of the medicine for a while just to see what happens, but afraid of what might happen, so I continue to take it. All in all it has been a good experience."

• My...
• January 11, 2013

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "I've been on Symbyax for over 5 years, off and on, but consistently for the last 3. I have found that when I'm on it, I feel like me again. I am not moody, snappy, or self-destructive. When I was manic I engaged in promiscuous activity, large spending and shopping sprees, when I didn't have the money I would turn to stealing. When I was down I could be bed ridden for days, sometimes weeks. I would not go into work, was suicidal and ultimately hospitalized on different occasions at my worst. I was started on many different medications and combinations, but also being an epileptic (also caused some depression) my Dr's and I had to be careful with medicines Symbyax, Depakote, and Trazodone worked! I feel great."

• pito
• February 13, 2013

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "I took Symbyax a few years ago for a month. It was great made me feel happy again and happy about life. Since I suffer real bad mood swings and other stress related issues I stop taking it and it and have not been good without it. Started taking it again. The only knock is you get a crazy appetite and can gain weight if you don't workout and Cotton mouth for days but other than that its a miracle."

• anony...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 21, 2015

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "the zyprexa part of this mix means it will work you WILL have weight gain no matter what. But it works I went from daily suicide attempts to being normal within a week of going on this combo. I wouldn't go on this first I would say its a last resort for those who are treatment resistant."

• Kjlowe
• March 17, 2017

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "All I can say is Wow!!! I am myself again after all this time & trying so many different meds. I kept doing more research & finally found my dream drug. Symbyax. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I tiny capsule instead of a handful of drugs."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 13, 2013

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "I don't get majorly depressed any more or suicidal. My only problem is being so tired all the time. I used to work a lot and be up for days sometimes and required only 3-5 hours of sleep per night. Now sometimes I do nothing but sleep for as long as 5-6 days only getting up to eat, shower and use the bathroom. My energy level has gone from 9 to 3 on a good day. Marriage is in trouble too. I've had dosage adjustments all over the place and am back to my starting dose of 3/25. 6/50 was the worst. Now taking an additional 20mg of fluoxetine during the day but it doesn't help so I'm stopping that. I'll stick with the lowest dose and start drinking coffee or something to get me going. I'm a 52 year old male in good shape. No reason for the tiredness."

• Anonymous
• February 2, 2011

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "Miracle medicine. I am not the same person. My mind stopped racing, thought I had OCD but that hyperness is gone. I am easier to be with and around, sleep better. Have had no weight gain. I forget a bit more it seems but can live with that. Don't snap at people, calmer, overall just better."

• Happy...
• August 25, 2011

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "I've been on Symbyax for almost two weeks. It has been a tremendous help. Only thing I'm worried about is the cost! But this seems to be my wonder drug, I'm happier, healthier, more energetic, on and on. It's amazing! Only problem I would say is I sleep like a rock and it's hard to wake me up, so that can be a good and a bad thing. Good because I need more sleep, bad because if something were to happen you wouldn't be able to wake me up! I still love it though. 9/10 for inability to wake up and cost. I've been on several other medications for months waiting for it to take effect. On this one I felt better after 4 days. "

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2009

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "The first couple of weeks I was flying high on this medicine. The high does eventually come down, but overall I am able to function much better in my everyday life. The weight gain is an issue. If I wasn't a pretty lean person already the weight would be an issue. Thankfully the weight gain has been good for me. The only thing is, I wish, the sweet cravings are unbearable at times. I could eat two pints of ice cream in a sitting--I know scary. For now, the medicine is working. I am not a big on medicine but I would have to say it is doing the job. Good luck to anyone who is skeptical, as I was at one time. But if life can me a little better, why not?"

• Anonymous
• June 10, 2009

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "I tried several medicines before finding success with this one. My depression and mood swings are under control, and life is manageable. My friends and family tell me that I'm much more enjoyable to be around now. I feel that this medicine saved my life. The only negative effect it has is that I'm hungrier and have gained some weight. I've just had to make adjustments in my diet to eat healthy, but this is a good thing for my overall health too. I feel so great on this medicine that the negative effect is worth it."

• Yors
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 8, 2015

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "Great medicine. I used Symbyax 3/25 before for depression and it helped a lot. I am taking it now for bipolar it has helped a lot really. The bad thing is the excess appetite, weight gains. But I don't care about the weight as long as it helps me out."

• Mr Ed
• August 11, 2010

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "I have been taking this medication for over a year. One excellent side effect is that my insomnia is gone. I almost gave up on trying antidepressants as nothing seemed to work for me. Then I was prescribed Symbyax and my life changed for the better in just a few days! This medication is definitely worth a try if you have depression or bi-polar disorder."

• Tbird...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 11, 2015

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "I have been on Symbyax for about 3 yrs.and it works great. Slept like a log, my emotions were suppressed (not sure if that's good or bad). I was recently changed to generic and I am having problems with mood swings and even worse weight gain."

• Anonymous
• November 23, 2010

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "I have been taking Symbyax for 3 weeks. I cannot believe the difference its made in my life. I was always against anti-depressants since all I had tried made me feel worse. I haven't had energy or motivation like this in, I cant remember how long! It is hard to wake up if I take it too late in the evening. I'm afraid of the weight gain but I think it would be worth it. I am only giving it a 9 since it is so expensive and I have no insurance."

• AFC
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2021

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "When I was diagnosed with type 1 bipolar disorder, after coming out of my first and only admission for mania and spending months with depression that only came out a few days, they only gave me valproic acid which depresses me, quetiapine worked for a while, but I had to stop take it at high doses for constipation and rhinitis. with aripiprazole for 2 whole days vomiting, with cariprazine for a whole month with akathisia, and olanzapine only depressed me, and I saw that there was Symbyax (olanzapine plus fluoxetine) that in 6 days took me out of the Depression. I managed to change psychiatrists, I told him that I was still sleeping 10 hours a day and mentally dull with Symbyax, so I get prescribed 100mg of lamotrigine and 50mg of quetiapine which does not make me fat at such a low dose, and it allows me to sleep 7-8 hours and get off depression and mania. But I have to admit that Symbyax cured my depression apart from lamotrigine. I am from Spain and sorry if I made some mistake."

• Loglady
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2017

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "Day one. Exhausted/lethargic Mild Headache Brain fog Slight elevation in mood. Less irritated. Pooped my pants. Seriously. Just as company rang the doorbell. Hopefully this junk passes and gets better."

• BMW335i
• January 3, 2018

"I've been using a combination of 5mg olanzapine with 40mg prozac per day for about 3 months now and the changes have been incredible. I started going back to the gym, I'm able to read without my brain bouncing all over the place, I picked up guitar again, I quit smoking, I changed my diet and lost approximately 15lbs, my interactions with people are far better, I have a better sense of well-being all around. I highly recommend this combination."

• Crystal
• May 30, 2014

"I have been on this medicine one week, I have been really hungry and now after reading the message boards realized the medicines may be to blame so I will adjust with eating healthier lower calorie snacks but besides that I feel great and have been sleeping like a normal person. My attitude is cheerful and I feel more positive, and let me tell you before I started taking it I was seriously depressed so I feel like a new person now, I feel like my old self, before mental illness took over my life."

• Anonymous
• November 26, 2008

Symbyax (fluoxetine / olanzapine) "Have used it off and on for 2 years now. It works wonderfully, and improvement is usually shown immediately. However, it affects my blood sugar immensely and I usually have to quit taking it. If I don't eat constantly I get very sick and shaky because of low blood sugar and because I have to eat constantly I gain weight. The medicine itself works great, it would just be nice to not have to sacrifice feeling well physically for mentally."