There are 393 ratings for the drug: ZYPREXA in the Askapatient database.

Key to ratings for zyprexa: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

Page: 1  2 3 4    Results are sorted by length of time drug was taken from longest to shortest.

Rating	Reason	Side Effects	Comments	Sex	Age	Time Taken and Dosage		Date Added
				F  M
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1	Schizophrenia	flushing toilet	poison	M	51	15 years		1/24/2009 Email
2	schizo/biplor/depression	Drug companies are not at all interested in our views. We’re just the dumb patients. We’re supposed to do what our doctors tell us and keep our mouths shut. This is an argument ZYPREXA causes enormous WEIGHT GAIN AND IS A DUMB DOPAMINE DRUG	UPSET PATIENTS	F	33	14 years		5/16/2007
5	Tic disorder	Sedation	I have been taking 5mg of Zyprexa since 1996 when the medication first came out. This medication controls my tics and I have not had any side effects. On the plus side it has helped my depression as well as sleep.	M	30	13 years		11/4/2009
1	schizo/bipolar	FDA scientist Dr. David Graham, who blew the whistle on Vioxx, testified to Congress that atypicals like Zyprexa kill some 62,000 people a year in unapproved uses.	SAD	M	35	13 years		5/16/2007
1	BIPOLAR	For all you obese zyprexa patients out there a new alternative drug called BIFEPRUNOX is getting ready for FDA APPROVAL. Look up its side effect profile on the internet it looks favorable.	WEIGHT PROBLEM WITH ZYPREXA MAYBE BIFEPRUNOX WILL BE THE DRUG FOR YOU ONCE IT GETS APPROVED	M	36	12 years		5/30/2007
5	Bipolar 1	Weight gain, fatigue, and general drowsiness (also caused by clonazepam)	I've been on zyprexa since 1998. I have gained and lost weight on the drug. I lost weight by exercising and watching my calorie intake. This is the most important drug I take. I also take lithium, lamictal, and clonazepam. I am tired a lot, but it's gotten better over the years. I was on 15mg and now trying 10mg. I was thinking of switching to abilify, b/c zyprexa raised my glucose level. However, changing my diet and lowering the dosage is bringing that down. All in all, I am thankful to zyprexa. It has really helped me throughout the years.	F	36	11 years		5/30/2009
4	paranoid psychosis	constipation, sleeping 12 hours a night, had dizziness for a while but it went away, weight gain - 15kgs, I get sunburnt very easily in summer,	This drug saved my life. I am able to lead a fairly normal life. Although I cannot sleep with out it. I used to be on 5mg, but it was increased to 10mg.	F	38	11 years 10mg 1X D		8/3/2010
5	manic with auditory hallucinations	Weight gain, dizziness	I had a severe long term manic episode that occurred over a period of several years, treated with Lithium [did not work] then I started to hear voices, and I finally found a psychiatrist who prescribed Zyprexa. I have often had dizzy moments, although they don't last more than a second or two. At my last annual checkup the doctor said I had slightly high cholesterol. I have gone from 110 pounds [weighed this all my life] to 185 pounds today. Granted, I went into menopause during my second year on this drug, but that can't be the only reason for this increase in weight. I have had no mood problems since I started on Zyprexa, but I am tired of gaining 5 to 10 pounds every year. I am trying an exercise plan with smarter eating habits, but I do plan to tell my doctor I've had enough of this drug and that I want to try something else.	F	56	10 years 5 1X D		3/8/2010 Email
5	psych. episodes; sev. depression	weight gain; sleep like a rock; need 8-10 hrs sleep daily	This drug is wonderful. Made the difference between being institutionalized and being able to have a career, a family, and happiness. I take 15mg at night. I have been able to lose the weight gained through exercise and watching calories. I think everyone reacts differently.	F	4	10 years		9/23/2007
4	Psychosis	Sleepy, hungry, drowsy with lack of alertness, need to push myself to be alert and responsive, bit of low/frustrating but that is more related to job scenario, tiredness and do not feel like doing excersice and have to push myself.	I have been taking this medicine since around 10 years due to diagnosed psychosis. It really helped me in controlling the hallucinations and bringing me back to the Earth (grounding). Due to stress caused by mother's serious illness and passing-away I had a small episode so my doc increased the dosage from 5mg to 10mg. Now I am waiting eagerly so that my doc could reduce it again as I have to fight a lot against the side effects. But I am a strong believer of the Super Conscience and believe that whatever is happening is for good only. Just try hard to cope up with side effects and move on fighting every day as a war against myself.	M	40	10 years 10 1X D		4/22/2010
1	shizophrenia	The state has filed a lawsuit against Zyprexa's manufacturer, Eli Lilly & Co., charging that the company improperly promoted the drug and failed to warn patients of adverse side effects that include diabetes, severe weight gain and pancreatitis.	this drug is unsafe and unfair	F	25	10 years		5/21/2007
5	Bi-polar	NONE	It has worked great with my Bi-polar, enabling me to sleep and decreasing my paranoid thinking. It also keeps my manias from being as severe and pronounced.	M	41	9 years		11/17/2007
4	bi-polar	25+lb. weight gain in less than 8 weeks,off & on flat affect, diabetes, the need for 10 hrs. sleep & difficult waking up	It took 5 years to find a med. that worked. Within a week my mood swings lessened and I felt human again. Zyprexa saved my life. At times I'd feel real flat & my vivacious personality had lessend considerably. My psychiatrist added Wellbutrin to Zyprexa and Lithium. After 9 years, I'm now off of the Zyprexa because my glucose nos. went into diabetes mode. I had no idea that was a side effect. I'm back to feeling like me again (w/out the extreme swings). I do miss the ability to sleep late on the weekends!	F	59	9 years		12/20/2007
2	chronic schizophrenia	Weight gain from 93lbs to 185lbs in a few months. Slept 16 hrs a day. 24x7 ravenous rapacious hunger that never quit, and I ate lots of junk I would never normally eat. Was hungry even after just eating a large meal. I was a humongous zombie on Zyprexa. Also high blood pressure (180/110), high cholesterol (244) and continuing slow rise of blood sugar.	I HATE IT. It is the only medication that will control my schizophrenia symptoms, granted. That's why I continue to take it. But I go off and on and experiment with the dose constantly to try to outsmart the side effects, but it never works. Also horrid withdrawal symptoms unless titrated downward very slowly.	F	48	9 years		4/25/2007 Email
5	Bipolar I	Morning somnolence, fogginess; puffy eyes; emotional flatness.	Zyprexa has been an extremely effective anti-manic agent for me, and also seems to help with depression.	M	39	8 years		4/6/2008
4	schizophrenia	sedation, dry mouth, weight gain	probably one of the better ones for sex drive. I took this medication at 5mg for eight years straight and worked in a hospitality job and then law enforcement. When my doctor took me off of this drug cold turkey, I became psychotic, met a woman and got engaged to her in less than three weeks and eventually had to go back on anti-psychotics. Zyprexa really isn't a bad drug compared to say, risperidone. I recommend non-stop exercise on this drug. I take INVEGA now and it doesn't make me sleep half the day, however, it is bad for the drive.	M	34	8 years		6/16/2008
3	psychosis	sexual dysfunction-totally dead, weight gain- hungry all the time, forgetfulness, severe lack of motivation, apathy,solomence	the side effects can be pretty terrible but to be fair the drug has helped me live a pretty normal life the past 8 years, now ive been re-diagnosed as having no sign of phycosis and thats amazing because at the start i was VERY ill but i think probably knowing God has been the much bigger factor in the healing process i thoroughly recommend Jesus christ as your healer and more so as your saviour(but never come off antiphycotic till you doc says so). Im coming off olanzapine now and im rejoicing	M	30	8 years 15mg 1X D		7/31/2010
3	phycosis	sexual dysfunction-totally dead, weight gain- hungry all the time, forgetfulness, severe lack of motivation, apathy,solomence	the side effects can be pretty terrible but to be fair the drug has helped me live a pretty normal life the past 8 years, now ive been re-diagnosed as having no sign of phycosis and thats amazing because at the start i was VERY ill but i think probably knowing God has been the much bigger factor in the healing process i thoroughly recommend Jesus christ as your healer and more so as your saviour(but never come off antiphycotic till you doc says so). Im coming off olanzapine now and im rejoicing	M	30	8 years 15mg 1X D		7/31/2010
3	depression, borderline PD	To be on a medication so long it was hard to tell what was me and what was the medication when I went off it I realized the sleepiness and laziness were side effects. Also I had weight gain, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and high glucose. Heat intolerance which made me sick when I ran 5K races on warm days. Withdrawal: increased anxiety, muscle tension, heightened sensitivity to stimuli, aggitation. These mimiced the symptoms I went on the medication for. But the withdrawal was complete in two weeks. Now I am very glad I am off of it.	Zyprexa is a mixed blessing. When my life was unstable and my depression was more severe it was a life saver. It gave me boundaries. When others were upset I didnot have to be upset with them. So I was much less sensitive to perceived rejection. I am fortunate I now have a stable job and my kids have grown up well. So I don't need it to function. When I went off it I did so because of the metabolic side effects. I was surprised to experience the anxiety and tension. And equally surprised when they went away after two weeks. I have discoverd I am not lazy or sleepy or hungry all the time. That was the zyprexa not me. However if my life fell apart by getting fired or someone dying and I became suicidal and unable to function I would probably go back on it	F	54	8 years		12/9/2006
1	mood disorders; paranoia;szichoph.	very suicidal after a few years, extreme weight gain; spots in eyes, ringing in the ears;erctile dysfunction	Never ever have anyone take it; Now I am off of it and also watch what I eat; realized also sugar and anything that turns to sugar makes my moods change for the worse;I lost 40 lbs since off of it; now have all the side effects to deal with.	M	54	8 years		6/15/2008
5	Bipolar	I, too, call this my rescue drug. When it was first prescribed to me, it allowed me to go from suicidally depressed to high functioning within 8 weeks. Unfortunately, the weight gain was tremendous and eventually I had to discontinue using it as my main med. Now I take Lamictal for maintenance and Zyprexa when I foresee a crisis. Haven't had a full-blown manic episode in 7 years.		F	38	7 years		3/14/2008
4	depression	Sedation, difficulty getting up in the morning, drowsy all day	While Zyprexa greatly improves my depression and makes me more functional, it also makes me drowsy reduces my functionality. I’ve been off and on Zyprexa for over 7 years. I started taking 7mg. I was sleeping my life away then. And I could not lift my head off the pillow. My doctor reduced the dose and I changed the time I took my meds. Now, I split the 2.5 mg. pill. I take 1.25 mg. at 6:00 PM. I’m still drowsy but getting up is no longer a problem.	F	43	7 years		10/19/2006
4	depression	Sedation, difficulty getting up in the morning, drowsy all day	While Zyprexa greatly improves my depression and makes me more functional, it also makes me drowsy reduces my functionality. I’ve been off and on Zyprexa for over 7 years. I started taking 7mg. I was sleeping my life away then. And I could not lift my head off the pillow. My doctor reduced the dose and I changed the time I took my meds. Now, I split the 2.5 mg. pill. I take 1.25 mg. at 6:00 PM. I’m still drowsy but getting up is no longer a problem.	F	43	7 years		10/19/2006
3	schizophrenia	weight gain; always hungry; sedation; apathy	Helped tremendously w/hallucinations, but made some of the negative symptoms worse -- no emotion, no creativity, flat affect. I have to take it -- nothing else works. But I try everything else that comes out hoping to switch to something that doesn't cause weight gain.	F	49	7 years		9/20/2007
1	bipolar disorder	I have a massive weight gain,+10 inches on my waist. I sleep 14 to 16 hours a day, I have reduced emotions and motivation, diminished concern, general apathy. two years into treatment my dose was reduced from 10mg to 5mg per day, following a near fatal deep vein thrombosis. two months ago I had a ruptured pancreas, vomiting blood and in extreme pain. etc.	Zombie Pills, a "Chemical Cosh" my life is in total ruins. My family are ashamed to know me, I no longer have any contact with them. In my view this drug should never have received a licence. I know of three people about my age, who took olanzapine, and now have a headstone. I feel I will soon follow them to an early grave.	M	59	7 years 5 mg 1X D		6/7/2010
1	depression, then bipolar & anxiety	I feel like I am losing short term memory. When I first took 25 mg I was a sleeping zombie all day long, in 9th grade I was a wreck and did real bad in school. I forget a lot of things now, even though now im taking 10 mg. When sometimes I stop all of a sudden, my head explodes with thoughts and anxiety, well, that was before... I say the only medicine that would work is being religious and praying, no medicine helps end of story!	Did you know zyprexa reduces your dopamine level so you dont feel schitzophrenia even if that isnt your diagnosis. Too much reduction of dopamine causes parkinson's disease, slow movement...All I really needed to cure myself is to not care about what people said to me. if your going to take zyprexa, make sure to take the anti- side effect drug cogentin.	M	19	7 years		1/31/2008
4	BPD/Bi polar	Extreme fatigue during the day... never any energy to do anything.	Mania relieved, but depression still lingers. Been on Zyprexa 10 mg for years. I find overall though, it stabilizes me and calms me down.	M	26	6 years		11/18/2008
3	schizophrenia	I gained 60 pounds of weight immediately after taking this. I lost it by going to the gym. My appetite was crazy. I can't sleep without taking it. My mind and thoughts start to race too much. I can even notice when it happens. Very unsettling.	I can say that it has helped me with my symptoms tremendously. I just wish that they could find the root of the problem and cure this once and for all. Who knows of the effects of this years from now. At least I learned there is another layer/dimension of life...even found out where the demons came from. (yes I'm stable)	M	26	6 years 20 mg 1X D		5/5/2010 Email
3	Bipolar I	Extreme Weight Gain; Fatigue; Constant hunger (esp. cravings for carbs/bread/pasta.	Originally on just zyprexa, weighed 100-110 pounds (within the healthy range for my height/gender). Within 4 months shot up to 160 pounds. Immediate diabetic symptoms (though tests were negative). Topamax added at 100mg, hunger and cravings for carbs died immediately. Further exercise and counting calories / south beach style diet brought weight down to 115-120 range. Hate the drug, but it works AMAZING for its purpose. With lithium now too, no bipolar symptoms. 100% normal life, so you'd think, though I need at least 8 hours of sleep...preferably 10.	F	23	6 years		10/4/2008
1	bipolar	i took this medicine 7 years ago i gained 60 pounds in 8 months and i didn't even take the medicine everyday my docotor has been scared to give me this medicine ever since the medicine does nothing to control my symptoms its just makes me really tired and feel unhealthy	FAT	F	32	6 years		5/6/2007
1	bipolar /depression	nausea, constint depression, slept to much, aggravated easily.	i hate it cause i was on it now my husband is on it and its making him a total wreck.	F	20	6 years		7/13/2007
5	bipolar and associated anxiety	increased desire for carbs, weight gain, drowsiness.	I call this my rescue drug. I don't take it all the time, but when I get too anxious and fear psychosis, it sorts me out quick smart. I wish I could be on it continuously, but the weight gain discourages that.	F	43	5 years		3/7/2008
5	Bipolar 2/Cyclic Depression	Weight gain. Also, after 5 years at 2.5 mg/day, I'm just now starting to experience some toe and ankle movements that may be precursors to tardive dyskinesia. I'm not looking forward to the withdrawal process (Google "Zyprexa withdrawal" for more anecdotal information).	This is a *wonderful* medication if you need it. It gives me the deepest, best sleep I've ever had and has eliminated agitated, irritable states and the horrible anger and homicidal thoughts that went with them. On the other hand, please read about the side effects, which can be serious. I've read that average weight gain while taking Zyprexa is 40 pounds in the first year. It appears to contribute to the onset of diabetes in some people (as would the added weight). I am concerned I might be in the early stages of TD, so I will talk to my doctor and begin slowly cutting back on my dosage to see if the movements and restless legs disappear or at least improve. For short-term use, it's a miracle.	M	58	5 years		8/5/2008
4	Bipolar	Fatigue seems to be the most annoying side effect associated with Zyprexa. Lack of energy can feel like depression. Also have some difficulty formulating thoughts; especially during conversations.	5 years ago, having just started Zyprexa, I had a massive appetite and gained weight. This, however, went away as I continued to take the med. Zyprexa really helps with mania and that's why I've hung in there with it despite the fatigue. Hopefully they will come up with some better meds.	M	33	5 years		6/1/2009
4	schizoaffective or bipolar disorder	excessive sleeping; gained 30 pounds but then stabilized	really does well at keeping unwanted and persistent thoughts out of my head; makes me more relaxed and content; moods/energy level are more stable now instead of always up and down	M	29	5 years		4/18/2005
4	Sleeplessness, PTSD, Anxiety,Depres	Hungry-Crave Sweets	Nothing else was working for the sleeplessness until this medication. I sleep better and don't have terrible mood swings.	M	55	5 years		10/7/2005 Email
3	schizoaffective	twitching legs. sometimes i get a feeling like i'm being poked with a needle. put strange thoughts in head, for example i would think "yes master" just before taking it alot. also, gave me alot of gay thoughts and i am straight. made me really scared to talk to people and i get anxious around others, sometimes i can barely breathe. it also jolts me awake with a bad anxiety attack every morning and sometimes i struggle to fall asleep. the meds also made me feel really spaced out, almost like nothing was real.	At first this medication was good, but now that i have been on it for a while it is making me really antisocial and has stolen my life. i used to bicycle all over Toronto every summer, but now i can barely make it to the corner store. it is the best one to take for me as i have been on risperdal, fluanxol, modecate, seroquel and lorazepam. i was allergic to seroquel and lorazepam and the others made me shake alot. i think i might try invega or abilify in the future. i really would like more energy so i could get a job. its really boring sitting around all day.	M	27	5 years 30mg 1X D		8/26/2010
3	acute psychotic episode	weight gain (60 lbs)	It helped a bit. But it seemed that time is what healed me more. I would still get random thoughts (voices)on this medicine. Risperdal worked better with less weight gain problem. However the risperdal causes sexual problems. Check out Phieffer's treatment of mental illness with vitamins and supplements (located in Naperville, IL area). Less stress too in your life will help if you can do that.	M	50	5 years		11/17/2005
3		weight gain	It helped some. I gave the wrong spelling for Pfeiffer Treatment Center and it is located in Warrenville, IL now. They use nutrition to help treat mental illness (vitamins and supplements). I hope this helps someone.	M	50	5 years		11/17/2005
3	psychosis	weight gain-forgetfulnes-not as alert-tired	with all of zyprexa's side effects...........I would rather have them(side effects) and not have psychotic episodes which Zyprexa helps.. than not take Zyprexa-and have no side effects but have episodes.........to me it is more important to be in sane state	F	21	5 years		1/31/2008
2	Borderline PD	Inability to think. Emotionally dead. Was good for mood stability impulse control,suicidal desires, anxiety but not feeling anything will do that. Difficulty recalling information, cant memorise very well. Not very mentally alert in the morning.	Medication was great for years. I managed to get through 5 years in current job and university. However councelling was stalled for years. Impossible to see the emotional response (distress) associated with particular thoughts and internal conflict. Assists in keeping BPD defense structures in place. Came off for 5 weeks, totally collapsed defense structures and i could feel again. Though excessively intense. Recommendation: just enough to keep you "edgy" but not so little you cant function, its a fine line. Split dosages also helpful.	M	38	5 years		2/8/2008
2		chronic insomnia leading into paranoid phycosis 15mg great for sleep but gained 4 more inches on my waist, made me feel worse	good drug when you've broke down i can imagine, dident work for me, still suffering with chronic insomnia,,,its like this, i stay awake for 3 days until i have delusions ( paraniod ones ).....then just slip away with the olanzapine,,terrible life,,,wouldent wish it on anyone,,,,,,,,???? year 2007 and they still havent found a cure for insomnia	M	37	5 years		1/16/2007 Email
2	schizoaffective	Raised PROLACTIN levels, weight gain, oversleeping.	Have stopped taking 2.5mg Zyprexa since 6 weeks. Have struggled with short amounts of sleep and a cloudy head.The weight loss is so far 4 kilos. Hope I have the strength to keep going without it. Girls- beware of the raised Prolactin levels- this is a common side effect. Check with your Dr what this means.	F	39	5 years		10/30/2007
1	bi-polar	Extreme weight gain. Contributed to my diabetes. Needed too much sleep	My doctor is weening me off Zyprexa. I was taking 10mg/night and now I'm down to 2.5 mg but my sleep was affected so I have to take Ambien to help. I'm wondering if the weight will drop off when I am completely off the Zyprexa. Anyone with this experience	F	48	5 years		7/20/2007
1	BIPOLAR	PANIC ATTACKS, WEIGHT GAIN, OBSESIVE BEHAVIOR, MAJOR DEPRESSION.	NOT FOR ME	F	35	5 years		8/22/2007
1	depression	I was prescribed zyprexa to fight depression, but side-effects (weight-gain, memory loss, drowsyness, dizzyness) depressed me even more. I am a university student and I have lots of difficulties in studying and being awake owing to that crap called zyprexa.	Stop taking it if side effects outbalance benefits, even against your doctor's advice	M	32	5 years		5/7/2006 Email
5	bipolar	weight gain	... other than weight gain zyprexa (10mg) has worked a treat for me. When I first took it it took only 1-2 weeks to take me out of a very anxious state that anti-depressants did not touch.	F	50	4 years		12/20/2007
3	severe schizoaffective	horrendous weight gain 40 lbs. then lost thirty , then thirty more. Sedation - slept 16 hours	became diabetic	M	31	4 years		10/23/2004 Email
1	Schizoaffective Disorder	Absolute destruction of sexual capability to the point my wife had an affair on me just to get some satisfaction. Supreme sedation. Gained 95 pounds in one month. Diabetes Type II.	Stay as far away from this drug as you can. Sure, it does stop psychosis quickly, but all the side effects in the world are not worth it. My wife is gorgeous, I am so attracted to her, and because of this drug our marriage is in ruins. I took myself off this drug against doctor's orders and now I can perform again. It is most definitely Zyprexa that did it. Also, who wants to gain almost 100 pounds? I'm sure that didn't help my particular situation.	M	32	4 years 40Mg 1X D		2/6/2010
4	depression, mood swings	weight gain from 112 to 184. with dieting am now 148 but can't stop eating enough to get down to 135.	For me this was a miracle drug if not for the weight gain. I am focused, stable and not depressed.	F	61	3.5 years		8/26/2009
5	schizoaffective	tiredness, need to sleep 10-12 hrs/day, restless leg syndrome, weight loss	BEST DRUG EVER! SAVED/CHANGED MY LIFE! since going on zyprexa i have been literally symptom free (no psychosis, no catatonia, no paranoia, no depression, no mania, etc). i have gone off disability, finished school, got a job. i now love life and i owe zyprexa everything! i was able to go off all my other meds. i lost weight. who cares if i need lots of sleep, it's worth it!	F	24	3 years		7/21/2007 Email
5	zchizofrenia	Weight gain. Craving for sweets. I gained 30 lbs in 3 years	It helped me from a psycotic episode. I hate the extra weight but I prefer to be sane than slim.	M	42	3 years		12/30/2007 Email
4	Depression, Anxiety, Mood Stabilize	Mixed Blessings. For one- go slow. It has affected me differently at different times (headache/stomachache). When I took full dose- severe shaking, so COMMON SENSE tells you to cut back dose.	I can't say this has cured all my ailments, and I know it's not the safest drug to take- but I don't believe there is one out there yet. I will say, that since 2004, I've taken it off and on- and it always worked. I don't fancy this, but I have no choice at times. When my emotional problems get too bad, and I relapse- and it affects me physically too, I'm dead anyways, and so are the people around me I live with, so why fear taking something that just may help? For those of you that don't need the weight gain- there are ALL KINDS of meds in this class that could be better suited for you. For some of us, like myself, stress causes weight lose- and that's just as dangerous. It's my sincere hope science greatley improves medications, but for now we are stuck with what's available- we can take it and try to get our lives back, or do nothing and exist instead of living- if that's what you want to call it.	F	30	3 years		8/19/2007
4	schizophrenia	I gained 40 lbs and feel like sleeping 24 hours a day	I hate the side effects but it does what I need... it makes the voices manageable	M	26	3 years		3/4/2008
3	fibromyalgia	Weight gain! Acne, loss of libido, hormone inbalances, sleepiness, decreased IQ and emotional numbness.	Although the zyprexa really helped with pain it has caused some nasty side effects. The sugar cravings are torture I feel like an addict. I have gained 50ib and think about carbohydrates and surgary foods constantly. I had to drop out of college because I was not as mentally alert and find it difficult to do anything but sit in a chair and watch T.V. Doctor has refused to change my medication and if I stop taking it the pain gets really bad. I feel miserable just hoping guaifenesin will work, have heard great things.	F	32	3 years		7/1/2006
3	fibromyalgia	Weight gain! Acne, loss of libido, hormone inbalances, sleepiness, decreased IQ and emotional numbness.	Although the zyprexa really helped with pain it has caused some nasty side effects. The sugar cravings are torture I feel like an addict. I have gained 50ib and think about carbohydrates and surgary foods constantly. I had to drop out of college because I was not as mentally alert and find it difficult to do anything but sit in a chair and watch T.V. Doctor has refused to change my medication and if I stop taking it the pain gets really bad. I feel miserable just hoping guaifenesin will work, have heard great things.	F	32	3 years		7/1/2006
3	reduce side effects of other meds	Started zyprexa to assist changing from one type of anti depressant to another with long medication free period required to get first drug out of my system. have been unable to cease Zyprexa. Side effects large weight gain 50+ lbs even on low doses 2.5-5mg and excessive sleep at moment need 12-14 hrs, difficult if you have to work. Still feel tired all day despite all that sleep. Have developed diabetes type 2, high blood pressure, high cholestrol, fatty liver gastric problems from the weight gain.	Just feel FAT and bloated and uncomfortable. Each time I try to reduce or cease Zyprexa I seem to get ill all over again. This drug did what it was supposed to but the side effects are overwhelming and it is difficult to get off it.	F	40	3 years		1/7/2008 Email
1	schizobsessive disorder	50 lb. weight gain, exacerbation of my psychiatric condition, severe increase in blood pressure, increase in blood sugar levels	since discontinuing my zyprexa treatment, my weight has steadily decreased and my psychiatric condition has improved tremendously	M	49	3 years		10/27/2007
1	schizophrenia	side effects-weight gain of 30lbs, decreased sex drive,need to sleep about 10 hrs a day withdrawal symptoms-I slowly tapered my dose from 2.5 to 1.8 to 1.25 to 0.625 taking three months at each dose. I had severe PMS at each lowering of the dosage, which eventually went away. I should have just stayed on the 0.625 dose. After two weeks of no zyprexa I had severe anxiety, panic attacks, breathing problems while falling asleep, insomnia. Eventhough I had no schizophrenia symptoms I had to go back on zyprexa since the withdrawal symptoms were so severe. I never had any of the withdrawal symptoms before taking Zyprexa. In order to get rid of the withdrawal symptoms I had to up my dose to 10mg.	Get on the lowest possible dose, but don't try to quit completely	F	36	3 years		8/1/2007
1	Depression	After losing my youngest son, I was put on Zyprexa for almost four years. I tried weaning off of it in September of 2005. The nausea was horrible. When I got back on the medicine, all the nausea and diarrhea stopped. Again, last March of 2006, I weaned off of it again. It took me seven months to get the drug out of my system. Heaven only knows how I tolerated those seven months of sickness. Now, it seems as though my tastebuds have completely changed and I just don't enjoy a variety of foods. I had also gained almost 40 pounds and have lost at least 30 of that. I would NOT NOT NOT recommend this drug to anyone.		F	51	3 years		12/14/2006 Email
1	depression	weight gain, constant hunger, felt tired and fell asleep at 7 PM, could not concentrate, lived like an animal - no thinking or mind	I do not recommend to try this drug. I gained 40 kg and I felt like a robot. If you have ideal or lower weight you are more likely to gain more! This drug is pure shit and can cause diabetes!!!	F	29	3 years 10 1X D		3/22/2010
1	BPD/ Anorexia	A lot of weightgain, which was probably the psychiatrists idea as when i was put on zyprexa i was a 6 stone Anorexic. Personally i think this was fair at all as i was never warned! by the tird year of taking it i weighed 13 and a half stone. my weight had doubled and blood tests were indicating prediabetes. my psychiatrist felt the weight gain was getting me down too much so i was taken off. was replaced by seroquel i lost 3 stone quickly and my mood is just as good as it was on Zyprexa.	Zyprexa really worked as a mood stabiliser for me but side effects were just to much.	F	24	3 years 10 2X D		7/31/2010
5	depression and anxiety	Serious weight gain, and not just because it made me hungrier, but because it messed with my metabolism (glucose levels). Most meds that make you gain weight do so because they just make you hungrier. Not so with Zyprexa, which can even cause Diabetes. Other side effects: sleepiness (but I wanted that), and anxiety when I missed a dose. I took 2.5 mg (5 when I was having situational problems). No sexual side effects.	Oh, Zyprexa, How I love thee and also how I hate thee! I have treatment-resistent depression, with mild OCD and anxiety. I took Serzone 400mg and Wellbutrin XL 450 mg with no results, and my doctor decided to try Zyprexa to help "activate" the other drugs. It saved my life. I felt better within a week (after 6+ months of crippling depression), and it did not cause euphoria or significant cognitive changes. It just gave me a nice "buffer" between my anxiety/emotions and the outside world. This drug works for me. 2.5 was great, and I could take 5 when I had situational difficulties (short term) and I could tell the difference between the 2.5 and 5 in terms of my "overreaction" likeliness. I felt better than I have ever felt, it helped me sleep, and it did stabilize my mood. However, the weight gain was significant (20 pounds in a year or two), and the risk of Diabetes made me decide not to keep taking it as a long-term med. We will use it again s	F	29	2.5 years		8/25/2006
5	depression and anxiety	same as below (I posted there, too, but it cut off my comments)	We will use it again short-term if I ever have a major depressive episode again. It was a difficult decision to stop taking it, because it really did help me, but I am sticking to the atypical antidepressants, and Lamictal (to replce the Zyprexa) so long as I am doing okay...but I will not hesitate to go back to Zyprexa if I absolutely need to. I just wish the side effects weren't so awful. Weight gain is a big downer for me, because it makes me more depressed.	F	29	2.5 years		8/25/2006
4	Bipolar Disorder/Manic Depression	WEIGHT GAIN due to an extreme appetite.	A week ago, I would've said that I HATED this drug for the weight gain it caused me(5'7 115 lbs to 140). I know I'm not as unlucky about that as others on that issue, but going from being a stick to a little more than average SUCKS. Anyway, the reason I "would've" said I hated it is because I went off of it a week ago and have gone NUTS. My doctor put me on Geodon (if you would like to know details of THAT little adventure, check out the post I added on Geodon's rating today, too... Geodon=Crap) and I went crazy, literally. I had been healthy for the first time since I was 5 years old on Zyprexa. (I had been on antidepressants since I was 17 and they weren't working due to the fact that my psych misdiagnosed me as depressed when I was bipolar). Anyway, when a new doc finally figured out what was wrong with me (6 years of HELL later), he put me on Lamictal and Zyprexa. I have had minor issues of mania and depression (+ the dreaded weight gain), but nothing like the crap I've had to deal with since coming off of it a week ago, which I did just to lose weight. (Mania, depression, plus all the Geodon side effects, as well). Anyway, I hope it hasn't gotten too far out of my system this week and I can get back to normal (whatever "normal" is for a bipolar person). I would rather be fat and happy on Zyprexa rather than without it, on Geodon, and insane.	F	26	2.5 years 15 mg 1X D		2/10/2010 Email
3	Postnatal psychotic depression	weight gain/drowsiness. craving sweets. I looked pregnant it all went on my stomache.	I did manage to give it up. It was hard for me even though I am a health freak + never had an addiction. It took 4 months to go from 2.5 to 0. Then I stopped taking the little slither and had bad withdrawal with a crisis day at day 14. Then I got better from there and by 4 weeks felt great started sleeping fine, back to myself. I nearly went back on (at 14 days) but my excellent psychiatrist said 'No the ilness is over you dont need it' She prescribed something for sleep which I ended up not taking. I did recover, I am happy about that.	F	42	2.5 years		6/8/2007
3	severe stutter	Weight gain, general depression, increased sleep time, hard getting up in the morning, and a general lack of interest in anything	Zyprexa really seems to reduce my stutter - that is great. To finally be able to hold a normal conversation without a severe stutter was undescribably envigorating after a lifetime of either avoiding speaking situations or going through the torture of trying to convey what is so clear in my mind but nearly impossible to get out of my mouth. I am now looking for the right dosage that will maximize the beneficial effect while minimizing the side effects. I find that adding other medications (i.e. the anti-depressant Celexa or the ADHD medication Ritalin) to my daily medication 'cocktail' helps reduce some of the side effects.	M	38	2.5 years		11/11/2004 Email
5	bipolar		this has been the best drug i have been on yet. at first it would knock me out. i would sleep for days, but was fine on about the 3rd day and after that i was happy and not manic (though i still need to take another med for the depression), but i take this med before i sleep and i haven't slept this well ever in my life. i fall asleep fast and i wake up refreshed. where as i use to take 3 hours to fall asleep and would wake up here and there... and this is when i was able to sleep at all !!!	F	23	2 years		9/29/2003 Email
5	Bipolar Disorder - NOS	weight gain	This drug caused me to gain weight -- I went from 190 lbs to 220 lbs. -- but it gave me my life back. No more relationship damaging quarrels with my mates, manic feelings of omnipotence, embarrassing manic spiels in front of coworkers, or hypersexuality that compelled me to cheat. I sleep like a baby on it, getting 9-10 hours of sleep a night, which the doctor says is fine and is fine by me. I see my coworkers complain of sleepiness. Not me. I get a full night's rest.	F	32	2 years 10 1X D		9/1/2010
5	Schizoaffective Disorder	Tiredness, some weight gain.	This medication works well for me. It limits my paranoia and delusions while helping me sleep. It gets me to sleep for 10-12 hours each night. My dose is currently 20 mg. The weight gain has been modest and tolerable. It helps me to function, no doubt about it. This is my antipsychotic of choice, as I've tried all other atypicals except Clozaril.	M	34	2 years		9/20/2006
5	massive anxiety	gained only 10 pounds, sleep is great	this drug is great, if you exercise everyday and don`t let yourself get lazy then this drug is fine. but if you get lazy then yes this drug will eventually probably kill you, one way or another. don`t be lazy. it actually seems to give me more strengh in the gym and i have great erections from it and works awesome for anxiety	M	44	2 years		10/2/2008
4	bipolar mania/psychosis	weight gain, drowsiness, craving sweets	although this med makes me eat like a pig and knocks me out at 9pm regardless of when i take it, its the best antipsychotic to treat my manias and paranoia. i've tried other AP's like seroquel, geodon, and risperidal, and they didn't help much. i take 20mg zyprexa a day, have for almost 2 years. blood sugar and all other blood tests have always been normal	F	29	2 years		12/1/2009 Email
4	Schizoprenic-like	Restlessness when trying to sleep if taken during the day.	Take Zyprexa before bedtime to avoid side-effects.	M	24	2 years		8/14/2002 Email
4	bipolar	drowiness, weight gain	great it helped put me to sleep since i have trouble sleeping. should take it an hour or two before bedtime for best effect.	F		2 years		10/25/2002
4	depression/anxiety/bi-polar	The only side effect was wt. gain. but that stops after a few months, and you no longer gain. I get awful if I try to stop taking it. It has helped me alot		F	48	2 years		5/1/2007
4	Bipolar 2 , P.T.S.D	Slurring speech, tremors, weight game of 60 pounds, crave any sweets I can get ahold of, lack of consintration, no zest for life, suicide thoughts.		F	49	2 years		8/17/2007 Email
3	Schizoaffective disorder	EXTREME weight gain - 85 lbs in three months without any success in shedding the weight. Sexual dysfunction. Dry mouth.	I would not wish this drug on my worst enemy. Sure, it does a really good job of controlling psychotic symptoms, but there's better ways than this, ways without these extremes in side effects.	M	30	2 years		11/24/2007
3	Bipolar II	None except weight gain. I am hungry all the time.	This drug has helped me a great deal. I am calmer, less impulsive and much more rational. Unfortunately, weight gain has been substantial.	M	47	2 years		8/29/2004 Email
3	manic depression	-inability to feel sexual -totally blank mind -mood-less. no downs and no ups. -flattened creativity -inability to be in love -don't feel like exercising ever, even though that used to be one of life's great joys -hungry all the time. hungry for food, but not sex, nor anything else. -woke up and ate in sleep at high doses -don't get insights, or bubble with ideas, as before -weight gain. stopped it, still seem to be gaining although am not hungry or overeating anymore. -sleep 12hrs a night. blank dreamless sleep. wastes a life. -very very balanced. never upset, never critical, never angry --even when it's appropriate. --stagnating.	a wonder drug for stopping a manic episode (for me, it knocks out mania in 1-2 days), but a crummy ongoing stabilizer. it obliterates many of the reasons to be alive, such as feeling alive. BESIDES, I believe God does speak to me and through me and I don't like being flaming manic but I don't like shutting off my channel completely. I feel numb, like I've been brainwashed, and don't have the insights I would otherwise have--on a regular day, at MY baseline. No, specialists and drs, MY baseline is NOT on Zyprexa. there is more to life than eating and sleeping. A LOT. I do intend to keep zyprexa in my drug cabinet for when I might ever need it. I sometimes wonder though if Haldol would be better. doesn't work as fast, but less ongoing problems.	F	39	2 years		12/18/2006
3	depression, anxiety, dissociation	20 pound weight gain, which went down when I stopped taking it; increased blood sugar; did help clarify my thoughts	I wish Zyprexa weren't so dangerous with the diabetes and weight gain, because coupled with an antidepressant, it really did work wonders for me. It helped me to clarify my thoughts, and to feel more stable. But to me the side effects and potential long-term health risks aren't worth it. I wouldn't recommend anyone take this drug unless your life (literally) depends on it. Try another of the atypical antipsychotics. I've switched to Abilify, which isn't as helpful, but still works.	F	30	2 years		10/13/2007
3	Schizophrenia and manic depression	Rapid weight gain, large weight gain (100 lbs).		M	25	2 years		12/27/2006
3	bipolar II	I have been on zyprexa for a couple of years. I just got my bloodwork back and I have dangerously high cholesterol. We are going to have to try and find something else. The zyprexa did help me with suicidal thoughts		F	45	2 years		8/3/2006
2	steroid-induced psychosis		the medicine is very good for bipolar mania, schizophrenia, or (in my case) steroid-induced psychosis (rare side effect from pulmicort inhaler, see www.sidefxdrugs.com for further info on that). However, weight gain is rapid, and you can't do much about it. You can be eating a steak dinner and thinking about fried chicken at the same time. I got terrible anxiety with it, I was barely able to go out at all. A few months after stopping the drug, I started to develop facial twitches, and muscle twitches, and jerking of the fingers, arms, etc. Apparently this is the beginning of tardive dyskinesia, and the the drug masks the symptoms, so you will not notice it until you stop the drug. Thanks goodness I stopped in time. Having permanent twitching/jerking of my body would not be fun. However, if you have serious mental illness, you may have to risk this serious side effect.	M		2 years		3/9/2006 Email
2	Bipolar	Some flattened affect, weight gain, moodyness in AM.	I take this medication only once per day in evening before bed and I'm really glad about that because I only get less than a half my waking day that I feel normal when its probably at its least concentration. I do sleep well if not even a little too well. Just wish I didn't feel out of it the first part of the day. Concerned about long term effects as well.	M	39	2 years		4/7/2006
2	Schizophrenia	This drug is almost worse than the illness. Turned me into a mental cripple/zombie. Horrific unstoppable weight gain. Dizziness. Etc.	It makes you sane, but you're not much better off.	M	26	2 years		11/26/2005
2	Some psychotic disorder	Extreme weight gain (30 kg/60 lbs). Couldn't think straigth. Weren't able to do anything else than eat and watch TV.	One of the few antipsychotics that was somewhat tolerable in regards to side effects. Unlike most other antipsychotics, I didn't experience any akathisia or sleep paralysis. Had enough of it in the end and I didn't want to become a diabetic, so I quit.	M	34	2 years		7/14/2009
2	Bipolar II	Extreme fatigue, weight gain	For 2 years, I was on 5 mg Zyprexa for hypomania. The first year was fine. The second year, gained 10 lbs. and began sleeping 2-3 hrs. in afternoon in addition to 9 hrs. at night. I just switched to Abilify a week ago and am feeling 100% better.	F	51	2 years		5/6/2008
1	schizophrenia	Extreme Weight gain,obssessive craving for sweets , 24H sedation and fatigue, apathic. exessive sleep, 13, 14hours. severe absence of social skills , moderate absence of conversation, dialogue skills	It helped to control the voices and delusions but due to the severity of the side effects caused me great deacrease of quality of life..	M	22	2 years		6/24/2008
1	PTSD	I am writing this review about my Mother. She was prescribed 5mg Zyprexa after having a nervous breakdown through work and I watched as this drug changed her into another person. While she was taking this drug she experienced massive weight gain and she has always been slim, developed cataracts, personality change, binge eating, start saying weird things until I felt like I didn't know her anymore. She stopped taking it by choice and although she has lost the weight she gained she is like a different person. It is like Olanzapine has made her develop dementia, delusions, paranoia, depression and so many other problems.	If someone close to you is put on Zyprexa/Olanzapine monitor them closely and if you start to notice terrible things happening encourage them to stop this med as soon as possible as the damage it does can be permanent.	F	60	2 years		9/14/2008
1	for anxiety and sleeping	Repressed feelings. Feel like zombie. Gained about 20 lbs. Can't lose weight while taking this drug. Most difficult drug to stop using.	Doctor prescribed an antipsychotic drug for sleeping for me! Said there would be no problems with withdrawal. He believed Eli Lilly's lies. This is the most horrible drug I've ever used. All those antipsychotics, antidepressants and SSRI's are toxic and really effect your brain. I bought a milligram scale and am reducing 100th of a milligram every 10 days. It's the only way I can do it. It's much better to practice meditation and do Jon Kabat Zinn's mindfulness training. If you do that you won't need to take those poisonous drugs.	M	73	2 years		1/20/2007
1	anxiety and help with sleep	Repressed feelings. Feel like zombie. Gained about 20 lbs. Can't lose weight while taking this drug. Most difficult drug to stop using.	Doctor prescribed an antipsychotic drug for sleeping for me! Said there would be no problems with withdrawal. He believed Eli Lilly's lies. This is the most horrible drug I've ever used. All those antipsychotics, antidepressants and SSRI's are toxic and really effect your brain. I bought a milligram scale and am reducing 100th of a milligram every 10 days. It's the only way I can do it. It's much better to practice meditation and do Jon Kabat Zinn's mindfulness training. If you do that you won't need to take those poisonous drugs.	M	73	2 years		1/20/2007
1	anxiety and insomnia	Gained about 20 lbs. Repressed feelings. Feel like zombie. Can't lose weight while taking this drug. Most difficult drug to stop using.	I HATE this drug! Doctor said there would be no problems with withdrawal. He believed Eli Lilly's lies. This is the most horrible drug I've ever used. All those antipsychotics, antidepressants and SSRI's are toxic and really effect your brain. I bought a milligram scale and am reducing 100th of a milligram every 10 days. It's the only way I can do it. It's much better to practice meditation and do Jon Kabat Zinn's mindfulness training. If you do that you won't need to take those poisonous drugs.	M	73	2 years		1/20/2007
1	Psychotic dysorder	Weight gain, Being tired most of the day, Uncontrolled eye movement, Hallucinations/nightmares including awakening without being able to move - lasting several minutes during that time bouncing into hallucinations and hearing voices, Being Numb , depression.	I would recommend this medication only for acute symptoms, when there are no alternative, if you don't experience side effects. i would like to point out - beware of psychiatrists they subscribe medications much to easily, dont become a lab testing mouse for them.	M	28	2 years		6/18/2006
1	Manic depression	My son took it for two years (after having successfully taken lithium for years) then fell into a coma and died of profound hyperglycemia. He was 39 years old. I would not recommend this poison to anyone and think it should be taken off the market.	Eli Lilly knew this drug was poison. Other countries had required them to put a warning on the label but not our country. They should go to jail in handcuffs.	F		2 years		8/20/2006
1	Bi-polar, depression	Weight gain, PANCREATITUS	This medicine seemed to work for my moods. I seemed calm and at ease. I gained about 30 pounds (I weigh 160 so 30 lbs is alot!). After 2 years, I came down with Acute Pancreatitus. I was in the Hospital ICU for 8 days. My Pancreatitus was the WORST pain I have ever felt. I had a 10% chance of dying. After some research, this drug has a history of Pancreatic attacks. If you search Google and type in Zyprexa and Pancreatitus, thousands of pages come up. I am lucky to be alive and will never take this medicine again!	M	41	2 years 10 1X D		7/11/2010
1	Bipolar (psycho hyper mania)	Needed to sleep at least 15 hours a day (made me late to work every day for about a year). Made foods taste unbelievably better-I could easily eat artificial junk food like Krispy Kreme doughnuts that actaully taste horrible (I'm not a big junk food eater I prefer natural foods). Gained 35lbs in 2 years (I'm pretty good looking around 185-190lbs compared to other guys so that was terrible). Twitches, muscle spasms, shaky hands--mine are usually very steady. Didn't care about anything at all. Lowered my IQ by at least 40%, but that was a plus because it made it easier to fit in with normal people. Basically I became a normal person: Fat, ugly, dumb, senseless and boring.	This is good for people that are a danger to themselves or to society, but not for those that can function in everyday life. Being hungry all the time is a form a torture-especially when everything tastes so good and you just ate a huge meal that would make you throw up if you weren't taking this medication.	M	29	2 years		10/9/2004
1	Bipolar	Sleepiness, apathy, gained 30 pounds, decreased ability to communicate or socialize, fuzziness in thoughts	this was absolutely the wrong drug for me. it affected my job as a scientific researcher in a negative way in that i was literally unable to to my job. my lethargy and general unwillingness and inability to communicate contributed to the dissolution of my engagement. I gained enough weight to feel unhealthy and this made me feel bad about myself, contributing to my depressive episodes. when i went off zyprexa, it was like a fog lifted. also, i lost the weight i had gained. life has been much better without Zyprexa. funny how my doctor took me off of it just a couple of weeks after the New York Times' expose of Eli Lilly's despicable and unfair marketing practices. My advice is work with your doctor to find an alternative to zyprexa. it is bad.	M	30	2 years		9/15/2007
4	bipolar	Gained roughly 20 pounds , I rarely experience muscle cramps. At the start my legs twitched.	This site has been a very reassuring to me ,to see how many people have gained weight. My doctor told me that my weight gain was from overeating but I eat normally and still gain weight. I have never gained weight in my life and after a couple of months on the drug I gained 20 pounds. I exercise regularly and still gain weight. I'm coming off in 6 months so hopefully then my body will balance itself out.	M	24	1.5 years		2/28/2006
4	olansapine	Gained roughly 20 pounds , I rarely experience muscle cramps. At the start my legs twitched.	This site has been a very reassuring to me ,to see how many people have gained weight. My doctor told me that my weight gain was from overeating but I eat normally and still gain weight. I have never gained weight in my life and after a couple of months on the drug I gained 20 pounds. I exercise regularly and still gain weight. I'm coming off in 6 months so hopefully then my body will balance itself out.	M		1.5 years		2/28/2006
4	Schizoaffective	I have gained a lot of weight.. 70 lbs in 1.5 years. I used to be really beautiful but now I am just huge.	The medicine has done well at controlling my paranoia and thoughts. My thoughts are organized again and overall I feel pretty good. I just wish I didn't have to be so big.	F	29	1.5 years		7/8/2008

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Average rating for drug: 2.6. This page is printer-friendly; use landscape print with background color turned on.

Key to ratings: 5-Very Satisfied: this medicine cured me or helped me a great deal. 4-Satisfied: this medicine helped. 3-Somewhat Satisfied: this medicine helped somewhat. 2-Not Satisfied: this medicine did not work to my satisfaction. 1-Dissatisfied: I would not recommend taking this medicine.

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