Zyprexa and Anxiety: What Users Say

• 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."

• mor...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 27, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I started taking Zyprexa 10 mg in 1996 until 2017, which is when I began tapering due to health reasons. I am now down to 2.5 mg but have gained a lot of weight, pain in joints, inability to sleep well, anxiety for no reason, memory loss, inability to think, no motivation, crying for no reason, terrible pain in my arms, muscle cramps in my feet, pancreatitis, constant eating, lack of feelings and enjoyment. Extremely difficult to get off it, it ruined my life!"

• rb1...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2016

For Depression "Was on Zyprexa from Mar 2015 till Aug 2015. At first, it seemed like it was mellowing me out a bit, and I could sleep through the whole night, which was an improvement. After a few months, I noticed my depression was getting much worse. Came off the drug cold turkey, and went through one of the most serious withdrawals one could face. Depression, severe anxiety, PTSD, night terrors took over. To this day Apr 2016, I have still not returned to the way I was before I started taking this horrible drug. Depression and anxiety are still bad, not as bad as 6 months ago, but still worse than when I first started taking it. I'm convinced this drug can cause permanent brain damage."

• Anonymous
• March 23, 2009

For Bipolar Disorder "I've taken Zyprexa as an adjunct to lithium for Bipolar I. My thoughts are slower, and it has gotten rid of any anxiety (this, I think, is the best side effect). I have not had issues with weight gain. I change between 5 and 10 mg per day depending on how I feel. Sometimes it can cause me to sleep late, and I need to take it earlier in the evening to avoid that. Great medicine to keep me stable and stop intrusive thinking."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Ian...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2023

"Prescribed 2.5 mg at ER. Amazing 'rescue drug' needed desperately at the time to sleep. Had barely got sleep for a week, took the pill, and finally got some rest. Greatly reduced paranoia, delusions, and anxiety. Was on it for 11 days and quit cold turkey because I was getting better and noticed it slowing my thoughts and making my mind go blank. For example, needing to put a lot of effort into thinking. Minor withdrawal like headache, fatigue, anxiety, and sweat, but nothing too hard to handle. I'd recommend talking to your doctor and getting off of it ASAP if you no longer need it. Use it as a temporary solution because I could see how over time it can negatively impact someone. Oh, and while on it, your appetite will increase by ten times. Good luck all in finding relief!"

• sj1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I had a horrible, 6-day experience with this medication, Zyprexa. While it was prescribed to me primarily for sleep, which 5 mg was effective, it made my anxiety 10x worse with paranoia and tremors. It was the worst. It has been three nights without it now, and I still feel its effects of increased anxiety and a fog-like head. The physical symptoms ceased 48 hours post-Zyprexa. I took 20 mg of Paxil with this medication for anxiety and was noticing some improvement with Paxil alone. Zyprexa made me feel as if I was never taking Paxil AND took five steps backward. My official diagnosis is TBD, but this was the first medication I've taken where I absolutely refuse to take again at any dosage."

• Nic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I took this yesterday, and that will probably be my first and LAST time taking it EVER!!! I got this garbage back in March of this year for schizophrenia and anxiety. I took it once on March 28, and I had a horrible experience! I was super sleepy, more annoyed, and hungry like a bottomless pit! I went from a small cute 123 lbs, where I was in shape and everything, where I looked my BEST so far in my adult life, and my weight went all the way up to 178!! I feel so gross now. I weighed 178 by May 1 of this year due to eating MEALS every 5 minutes. I didn’t take this ever since until yesterday. For the past 2 weeks, I’ve been experiencing Ativan withdrawal, where I was more paranoid than usual, dreamlike, and lashing out at everyone. I took this yesterday, and I felt WORSE!!! MORE paranoid, enraged, very sleepy, I kept scrunching my face and wanted to go to sleep, even in public, 4 night terrors in one night, insanely hungry. I got my Ativan today, and these effects wore off. Never again. 0/10"

• ABa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 16, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I suffer from schizophrenia and paranoid delusions. Zyprexa did not work well for me. Paranoid delusions persisted. This medicine gave me severe restless legs, which sometimes spread to my arms. Also, I found it extremely difficult to concentrate and had difficulty carrying conversations. I switched off of risperidone because it gave me extreme anxiety to Zyprexa. And now I am switching to Abilify from Zyprexa. Hopefully, this is the right choice!"

• Kie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "I got my prescription for this drug a few days ago along with my Ativan, Zoloft, and Trileptal. Ativan doesn’t have the same effects as this, and neither does Trileptal. I took this yesterday around 11 in the morning for paranoia and anxiety, and within 30 minutes, I started feeling like a zombie. I felt super restless and more anxious than I was before, so I slept from noon yesterday until 5 this morning, on and off. Even though I drank 2 big cups of coffee, I still feel sleepy and dazed. This also caused me to have odd and extremely vivid dreams last night, and I feel angrier than usual! I woke up this morning screaming at everyone in the house for not taking out the trash, I punched the air conditioner because it was turned up too high, I cussed my boyfriend out for taking too long to say something when he called me on the phone, etc. I thought Zyprexa would be a good medication for me at FIRST, but it made everything worse! I’m not taking this ever again."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 31, 2021

For Depression "Do not take this medication unless you have a very specific need for it, namely, schizophrenia. I've struggled with severe depression, anxiety, and sleep issues for more than 8 years and was prescribed this because my psychiatrist had nothing left to try. While it did help my sleep and anxiety for about 4 months, it had diminishing returns to the point that it ended up making my sleep and anxiety worse, along with the depression. I'm 4 months off this drug and life is an utter nightmare. I can't completely blame this drug for my current state as I've been constantly going downhill for years, but this drug definitely overall made me feel worse. Beware if you have sleep issues, because this might help for a little while but will likely stop at some point and your brain will no longer be able to get into deep sleep on its own. I guess if you're suicidal, maybe then it's worth a go because what do you have to lose?"

• Inf...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 24, 2018

"Zyprexa is a miracle drug for DR/DP (derealization/depersonalization) episode episodes. I take the dissolving tablets, 5 mg. Has never seemed to fail me. Always puts me back in my body and back into my head and on planet Earth. Takes away the anxiety too and seems to manage PTSD-related thoughts when they are associated/at the same time, and I feel human again. Not something clonazepam or anything else can do. I only take it as a PRN though... maybe 2-3x/month max, to 4x/year on average depending on stress and other triggering factors. Would probably not take daily, as weight gain is a side effect (Abilify is a great alternative if needed daily). Besides that, this is a miracle drug for me."

• Anx...
• June 12, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I was put on Zyprexa for intrusive thoughts and depression. I have been on it for 14 months. Started weaning myself off of it a week ago. It caused me to develop akathisia, worsened depression and anxiety. My insomnia also became worse. I can already tell a difference in my weight gain (have lost 2 lbs since weaning). This and Zoloft are the worst medications I have ever taken. I need to be put back on Xanax, but I do not want rebound anxiety or withdrawals when I stop taking it, as it's only supposed to be taken short-term. Pharma needs to make a med with no side effects that will ease depression and take away anxiety. I think they are capable, they just don't want to lose the money they are making from us taking these awful drugs hoping they will help us."

• Len...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2022

For Bipolar Disorder "I had this a few days ago in the hospital for extreme mood swings and anger due to bipolar. I took half a pill that dissolves under your tongue, and it made me feel MUCH WORSE! Within 20 minutes of taking this garbage, I became insanely sleepy, dazed, I was slobbering and slurring when I was talking. It made me even more angrier and anxious. I had intense restless legs and arms and facial tics. My legs would randomly kick and jerk up in the air. I had awful dreams and couldn’t stay asleep at night. I couldn’t stop stuffing my face, and I gained 4 lbs since the day I took it, which was on Monday. I took a Xanax yesterday because I had another episode where I was irate, all because I dropped something. I took this particular medication once in 2018 and for the first time in 2013, and it always made me irrationally angry, hungry, anxious, and unreasonable. Never again."

• Can...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 26, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I was on Zyprexa for minor auditory hallucinations and sleep. I was on it for more than 5 months and gained 40 lbs! I was only on 5 mg, and for a few months, I was even advised to half my dose! This medication made me feel irritated, flat, and moving around was heavier than usual. I became paranoid and had delusions, but didn’t believe them. I just wanted to stay in bed or not leave the house. The voices told me unbelievable thoughts, and I worried a lot too. It did help me sleep. The voices did become more non-existent or lowered; however, at times I could still hear them lowered to an extent. The weight gain is not worth it! I used to be so active and weighed 125 before I started Zyprexa. Now I am 170 lbs! I need a new medication to help the auditory hallucinations that will not repeat my thoughts aloud or lower them. I tried Vraylar at 1.5 mg. The auditory hallucinations completely went away; however, the side effects sent me to the hospital. Please help!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 23, 2017

For Schizophrenia "Zyprexa doesn't work well with any antidepressants - be careful - but it can work used together with lithium, Depakote, or lamotrigine. The serotonin-guided antidepressants activate mania and rapid thinking and fuel anxiety. Drugs such as Lexapro - taken with antipsychotics - can be a nightmare. In mixed diagnostics such as schizoaffective, there are many bypasses and alternate routes - i.e., I take a minimum of Risperdal, which helps with an additional foundation for more centeredness and 'structure,' and keeps my head clearer on 1.5 mgs; and I also take 300 mgs Seroquel XR to act not only as a bipolar safe keeper but also as an antidepressant. If you're looking for Olanzapine with an antidepressant edge, try bipolar meds."

• CDD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2021

For Depression "Horrible, the withdrawal from even the lowest of dosages is a nightmare. Insomnia, weight gain, leg shakes, worsening anxiety, etc. - it sucks."