Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• GRano
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 26, 2018

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "This is the best side effect free strong antipsychotic I have taken so far. I have bipolar disorder and just 2.5 mg is enough to combat mania and minor depression. I also have anxiety and and it makes me calm. I don’t take it everyday. I take it sometimes when my doctor says. No side effects, no dizziness, no anxiety, no AKATHISIA just drowsiness which I like for anxiety."

• jigsr...
• December 12, 2013

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "I have bipolar 1 disorder. Started with 5mg Zyprexa, now am on 7.5mg 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."

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

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "I was admitted to the hospital for severe hydration due to vomitting from being sick for a wk and prior to that completely lost my appetite do to a gluon 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 out patient...here's the thing I was prescribed this med by the psychiatrist for weight gain, but it also boost my mood swell , I feel like I'm a level playing field and the game is fair again. 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 wk!!! So beware of that, its strange because you CRAVE food, all you do is think about food...lol"

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2022

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "Makes me feel normal. I take 15 mg at night for a restful night's sleep with no nightmares like I used to have. I use in combination with 20 mg Paxil and 1000 mg Depakote which seems to be a great combination for my bipolar disorder. I no longer freak out if things don't go my way. I HIGHLY recommend Zyprexa!"

• DrSSM
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2024

"This is the drug I was looking for years. Within 4 days of 6/50mg dose, I felt clear-headed, energetic, and less irritable. I don't snap at people anymore. I keep my things clean and tidy and feel as confident as I used to be in my teens. I am a 43-year-old man now and struggled a lot throughout my university years and then in my profession with dysthymia. It was something holding me back, which I could not figure out. SSRIs never gave me a feeling of clarity. In fact, I never knew what a normal feeling was for a healthy individual."

• bipolar...
• June 1, 2020

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "I just started Zyprexa from a new doc, it is for my bipolar one. Been doing ok mostly for over 10 years. I take 1200 of lithium daily. Trazodone 300mg for sleep . Last year trazodone stopped working last fall several occasions of auditory hallucinations barely sleep 2hrs nightly tried all kinds of meds from one doc he gave up. Referred to new doc by pcp recently just started zyprexa up to 10mg. Sleeping about 5 or so hours at night so far no side effects but it is early days. Lithium made me fat and killed my thyroid which made me fat so no worries I just need sleep and calm my mind"

• KayBl...
• August 18, 2017

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "I just got prescribed this medication. 10mg to start. I'm taking it for my extremely high anxiety and bi polar depression. I have read a lot of review's, so I will definitely stay away from CARBS!! Hoping this will give me my life back! I'll return in 5 days and give a review on how I'm feeling. Wish me luck! 8/18/17 New update on taking the Zyprexa. Today is day 8 on the the Zyprexa and I have to say, I honestly feel like my old self again. I'm happy, my mood is stable I'm sleeping great! I'm more active now than I've ever been since my 20's. So far I can honestly say this medication is working great for me. I'm actually excited about life again! Also, no weight gain so far and no increased cravings of food."

• Joano
• November 16, 2018

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

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

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "Hello. I am currently taking Zyprexa 2.5 mg for approximately 10 months in conjunction with Lexapro 30 mg and bupropion XL 300mg 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 5mg 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...."

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

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "Got hospitalized. upped to 10mg morning and evening. This dose has helped my symptoms. I've had blackouts, and 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."

• Anonymous
• January 12, 2010

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "I was on 2.5 mg and it made me into a hungry zombie. All my emotions were flat, it made life completely unpleasant, everyday was a struggle to get through, and sex was completely numb. However, it was a very effective medication for bipolar one disorder, if it wasn't for the side effects I'd still be on it."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2011

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "I just started this medication over two weeks ago and am already seeing massive improvement. No more mania, very little depression. I have focus and energy, my mood is great most days. It even helped with irritable bowel syndrome. For the first few days I felt like a zombie, but that side effect has gone. I still have a massive temptation to eat everything in the house, but I am controlling it and changing my diet to minimize weight gain. This medicine was a minor miracle to me. I've never felt so good in all my life."

• Jacki
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 26, 2019

"This drug will ruin your mind and your body. After two years in doses ranging from 10 a day to a short time on 20 I have gained about 85 pounds and my brain is mush. I am trying to wean and I am a shell of my former self. I used to recover after a breakdown. Now I am a semi vegetable compared to my smart fit former self. Stay away if you care about life quality at all."

• Pillb...
• September 19, 2009

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "At 5mg/day zyprexa makes a real difference for me. Combined witht the right antidepressant it takes care of my depressive episodes which can by the way be very severe. The side effects I have is increased sleep and increased appetite. Haven't gained any weight on it."

• Orfeus
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2020

"I'm bipolar type 1 and was recently admitted to the hospital for a manic episode when I got there I was on several medications for my symptoms. When I got to the hospital they gave me olanzapine kept me on Dexedrine took me off the others. I’m very pleased with the olanzapine : no paranoid thoughts I feel very calm and content. While I did gain 20lbs so far I also feel somehow more positive about myself regardless of weight gain. The only real problem so far is I feel a bit sedated and tired and it is making it difficult to stay awake and do things all day without going to sleep. For a bit doctor told me to take it at night instead and my body should get used to it after a while anyway and the sedative effect will be less of an issue. Overall total game changer for my mental health and quality of life would recommend to any one who has issues with mania, paranoia, anxiety and/or negative thoughts as it makes me feel generally calm and positive :)"

• Rizzo
• September 29, 2019

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "Zyprexa is 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."

• JWP
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 29, 2024

"I take this for Bipolar I disorder. It is very effective. It helps me think clearly. I can stay out of repeated hospitalizations when I am taking the medicine. I get sleepy so I take the medication at bedtime and again in the morning. My sleep is greatly improved."

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

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "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 10mg to my trazodone at night (also take Lamictal and Zoloft in the am). It was a bit too sedating at 10mg, so they bumped it down to 5mg and it's perfect. I've always had mad munchies at night from the trazodone anyways, and am still not hungry till 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!"

• Anonymous
• December 4, 2012

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "When I was diagnosed as bipolar I was put on Zyprexa. I took it 3 times a day and it was great at eliminating my mania, depression, and anxiety symptoms. However I had two side effects, I would get tired and I gained over 100 pounds over 12 years. So my doctor suggested lithium and I am on that now and doing fine and I have lost 30 pounds in 4 months."

• Maria
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2019

"I take 10 mg of Olanzapine which is generic for Zyprexa. I think Olanzapine is a great anti depressant and anti psychotic. It works great for manic depression episodes and stops the voices. A lot of people who are Bipolar Type II and Bipolar type II can benefit tremendously from this medication as it stops all the voices and intrusive thoughts and makes you happier. Olanzapine also gives you a better, more hopeful outlook on life. I think this medication would be great and helpful for people with personality disorders, eating disorders, and body dysmorphic disorders. Olanzapine helps raise your self esteem and makes you feel secure in life. It can also help you fall asleep sometimes!"

• prestes
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 17, 2012

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "I have been taking Zyprexa for over a month and it just recently started making me sleep over 14+hours a night. I am tired and unmotivated. The anxiety has slowed way down but is not completely gone. I take 5mg per night and I also take Ativan 3 times a day."

• lalul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2016

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "This medicine sucked! I was asleep all the time, all day long! Couldn't function in school, couldn't function at work. I was tired all the time and was eating every food that I saw in front of me. If I could give 0 stars to this medication I would."

• Peter
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2019

"After 20 years of suffering,and taking all kind of antidepressants, my doctor prescribed olanzapine 5 mg /night. For anxiety, and for the so called "conditioned avoidance response", as I was pretty miserable when driving, or go out anywhere , felt like drowning,terrible. I did not expected much from the med, due to the tons of negative/mixed reviews. But it helped immediately, lights on, anxiety off, mood normal ,sleep is super, all symptoms has gone, it's like a miracle."

• kano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2019

"If you have ever had a seizure, do not let the doctor give you Olanzapine/Zyprexa. I hadn't had a seizure for 15 years, but within four hours of taking Olanzapine, I was on the floor with a grand mal seizure. (seizure is listed in the fine print of the side effects. I told the doc, but she prescribed anyway.) BE CAREFUL!"

• Glue
• June 10, 2010

Zyprexa (olanzapine) "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 (20mg) 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 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."