Olanzapine and Weight Gain: What Users Say

• Mit...
• December 4, 2018

For Insomnia "I’ve used Olanzapine 2.5 mg (dosage one) for years. It works great for me, it gives me a good 8-10 hours of sleep a night without waking up throughout the night, and I always wake up feeling like I’ve had a great night's sleep. Don’t be put off by the scare tactics of other reviewers, 2.5mg or 5mg dosages do affect the same neurotransmitters but only mildly. You’re not going to develop psychosis when you start taking this medication or when you stop taking it. I’ve stopped and started Olanzapine many times, and I’ve had no issues whatsoever, no mood changes (it actually helped improve some anxiety issues). Just be cautious of weight gain, but at a low dose, you’ll barely gain any weight, and if you eat healthy and workout, you’ll be more than fine."

• Tra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 15, 2019

Olanzapine for Depression "Zyprexa made me dull and gain weight, then found it's impossible to stop taking. Even with a very, very slow taper, I have terrible withdrawal symptoms that I never ever experienced before olanzapine. I only took 1.25mg, and after 3 years of tapering I'm down to about 0.7mg. Now I have heart arrhythmia, akathisia, insomnia, I feel dazed and out of it, erectile issues, and don't feel pleasure or get excited about anything. Olanzapine has ruined my life. If I could do one thing differently in my life it would be to never ever start taking this horrific drug."

• tri...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 10, 2014

Olanzapine for Depression "Would give this a 10. Have tried every anxiety/depression, SSRIs and MAOIs, etc. out there. One day on this and I felt wonderful, like I woke up as a new normal person. Yes you may gain a lot of weight but only if you eat carbs. You just cannot take this and eat chips, candy, etc. Lean meats, proteins and veg and you will have NO problems, the effect is worth it. If you can put the fork down, it can change your life. My Dr. warned me about the potential for weight gain, but told me he thought I had the willpower to resist the cravings to eat junk, which I did. Try it."

• mad...
• April 19, 2019

Olanzapine for Depression "Put on this drug for anxiety, loss of weight, not sleeping, all connected with something that happened to me. On it for a month at 10 mg and had pounding blood pressure in ears, sudden headaches, ankles swelled up 2x their size, gained 25 lbs. in a month, huge appetite, foggy thinking, flat personality, and dizzy. After I got off, I felt much better. Off it now for 2.5 months, and I can't lose any weight, and in fact am still gaining, so can't get it out of my system. How can I get it out of my system? I don't want to become diabetic or get heart disease, but this drug can do that and I'm not even on it! Doctors are putting people on it that should not be given this drug, it should be a last resort if at all. This drug can cause permanent changes chemically, in metabolism, and dopamine receptors in the brain. Is there no antidote?"

• Jos...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 24, 2019

For Depression "I have been a teacher for 28 years. I was diagnosed with depression. I was prescribed olanzapine. Once on olanzapine, my life was totally changed. I could not act like a good teacher. I could not work properly. I was sleeping 18 hours a day. I put on weight. I was hungry all the time. My depression did not go away, it became worse. I couldn't speak, couldn't think properly. Please don't take this medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2019

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "Zyprexa was a life saver for me. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and OCD last year. Took Abilify and became irritated easily, Lamictal and kept forgetting things, then I started 30 mg of Prozac and 2.5 mg of Zyprexa combo. It instantly got me out of depression/mood swings and helped me get back to school & focus a little bit more. I will say that I feel a little dull/do not want to talk much & gained 25 pounds in one month being on it. No matter how much I work out, I do not lose the weight. I honestly love the pros of this drug, I can smile and laugh again. But I do not want it to affect my confidence and self-esteem because I am gaining so much weight. I am now weaning off Zyprexa and trying Latuda. My advice to anyone trying Zyprexa - give this a try and expect the weight gain to occur, it will help reduce negative thoughts, excessive worrying & mood swings. Have faith, and try it, I really believe Zyprexa will help get someone out of their worst days."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 14, 2018

For Depression "I have been on it for a month now. It's been great. I don't have the weight gain problem or the sexual problems. I basically laid on the sofa with the blinds pulled shut for 3-4 years depressed. I take it at night and Zoloft in the morning. I don't feel at all like a zombie, in fact, I feel great. I'm off the sofa doing things I love again. I sleep regularly and have a positive outlook on life once again. This drug has changed my life for the better. I hope this helps someone."

• kes...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 25, 2013

Olanzapine for Depression "I started taking Zyprexa over two years ago for intrusive thoughts I was having as a result of obsessive-compulsive disorder/depression. While the Zyprexa helped remove intrusive thinking, it added about thirty pounds onto my slender frame, made me severely tired, and took away my sex drive. In addition to these adverse effects, I was unmotivated/uninterested in many activities that used to give me pleasure. I had a 'so what' attitude about life in general. All because of this medicine. What really frightened me about taking this was my cholesterol went sky-high, and my blood sugar was also very high, making me an at-risk candidate for diabetes. I am finally off of this."

• lov...
• December 13, 2014

Olanzapine for Depression "Had a few psychotic episodes a few years ago, was hospitalized and was put on Zyprexa and a few other meds. I was diagnosed with BPD (borderline personality disorder), major depression, and fibromyalgia. I felt hungry all the time and gained 70 lbs. My dose was 20mg a day plus I was on other meds. Finally, I was weaned off all other meds as the months went by. I cannot say my hunger and weight gain were completely due to Zyprexa, but I do know that I now take only 5mg a day at night, sleep well, my hunger is normal, and I have lost weight with good healthy choices and exercise. I no longer have depression, and life has never been better. Zyprexa, therapy, exercise, support, and nutrition have saved my life."

• Mel...
• February 2, 2011

Olanzapine for Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Zyprexa 10mg/day for about 10 years. When I first started taking it in place of Risperdal, I felt out of sorts for a few weeks. My doctor said that I was adjusting to it and that I needed to wait it out. So I waited, and I did adjust. I gained weight on the medicine, which I have since lost. My psychiatrist orders blood work once a year to check my cholesterol, and he says that everything is fine. I don't like that I need a lot of rest, but that is preferable over manic insomnia. I thought that if I stopped taking it, then I could lose more weight, but I know that I need to manage my illness. I'd rather be plump and pleasant than skinny and crazy. I just have to diet and exercise. The world accepts plump better than it accepts crazy."

• Sky...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2020

For Depression "My Dr. (The expert) prescribed this for me when I was suffering with agitation and anxiety. I took it for 2 years, and my new Dr. took me off it. I put on 30 kgs of weight, felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin on a daily basis, and was very irritable. But that's not the worst part. This medication permanently causes you to be DEPRESSED even after discontinuation! I've tried all types of SSRIs and SNRIs, and they simply don't work. I'm stuck in an incredibly bad depressive state. I can't laugh, I can't be happy. PLEASE, if your Dr. prescribes this to you, READ THE REVIEWS and do not take this horrible medication!"

• Anonymous
• December 5, 2019

Olanzapine 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."

• wil...
• May 3, 2016

Olanzapine 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."

• JAM...
• October 21, 2014

Olanzapine 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."

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

Olanzapine 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."

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

Olanzapine 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."

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

Olanzapine 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."

• gro...
• October 12, 2021

Olanzapine 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."

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

Olanzapine 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."

• I...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "For those that leave good reviews, you are either lucky the drug works, getting paid by big pharma to keep quiet about the mortality this drug causes, or you haven't experienced withdrawal symptoms yet. This was the most horrible, disgusting antipsychotic I've ever taken. Nothing but chemical lobotomy inside a small pill. Can't think, can't cry, can't be happy, can't lose weight... can't feel pleasure in anything. How can anyone benefit from something that leaves you emotionally flat? If it works for you, great. But don't be surprised when the 'feeling okay' turns into 'feeling worse'. You have been warned."

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

Olanzapine 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."

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

Olanzapine 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."

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

Olanzapine 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 :-)"

• SWS...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 16, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I remember the day after my first pill: so fatigued and nauseous that I left dance early. My appetite increased, and I gained 10 pounds in two weeks. But my psychosis and mania were GONE immediately. I went off the med 7 months later because my parents thought it was making me ditzy, but things got really bad, so I started taking it again. I gained more weight, but I was sleeping again, and I felt so much better. Two years later, and I’m back to the weight I was before, normal appetite, not ditzy, sleeping through the night, no psychosis, no mania. I’d say the munchies went away in 4 months, but idk it’s been a while. I think the only side effect I have now is drowsiness, but I take it at night, so it doesn’t matter. Zyprexa is a crucial drug for my well-being. It works right away."

• Anonymous
• January 1, 2009

Olanzapine 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."