Olanzapine question

Hey all,

I've just been prescribed Olanzapine and Citalopram for Bipolar Affective Disorder. Just wondering about users experiences on Olanzapine?? I've been on Citalopram before which made me manic hence the mood stabilizer. But nearly every article i've read suggests an inevitable weight gain on Olanzapine but with effective results. I'd be greatful to hear about users experiences on Olanzapine whether good or bad.

Thanks for any replies

Olanzapine is known by the trade name Zyprexa. It worked, but I gained a lot of weight very fast. So much that I had to switch to something else.

Hi,

I too had very negative experience with Xyprexa and it caused my appetite to go over board. I would be careful if you are gaining weight and if you are prone genetically to obesity. The extra weight from the medication listed above can cause or increase your chances of getting Diabetes type II, if you begin to gain quickly I would ask for another medication.

kk101

I gained one third of my body weight in 3 months from it. All it did was make me fat and extremely obnoxious. It got to the point where my family and friends were searching my room to find them and throw them away, it was quite serious. I didn't know this because I had them on me. They actually gave me a mini zyprex intervention.

I'm really sorry, I don't like posting negative responses but that is in my top 5 psych meds from hell. You have to remember though that every single drug effects everyone differently, just make sure you stock up on stuff like celery, fruit and leafy green vegetables to compensate for extreme hunger, if it happens. If it comes to that it's better to fill up on vegetables and fruit than to eat the sweet and carb laden savoury food cravings I was having. I couldn't stop myself.

Good luck and just be aware of how you're feeling. I hope it works out for you. It does work miracles for some and not so good for others.

I was on it to increase my appetite and to sedate me. It did both, but I wasn't wanting the increased appetite and quit taking it for that reason. I hate to say like the others that I didn't like it, but really I didn't!! I was only on it very short term in crisis though.

I have heard Zyprexa is very effective for many. I found it a bit too sedating, and made my vision blurry.
If you think it might be affecting your concentration, you might ask your pdoc for something to counteract this.
Best of luck with your studies. Let us know how things are going.