Zyprexa (Olanzapine) is an atypical antipsychotic drug that is commonly utilized for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It works more on serotonin receptors than dopamine receptors, but targets both. Although this is a drug that can work well for treating severe mental illnesses, more than 50% of people quit taking it during clinical trials due to severe side effects. In comparison to the older “typical” antipsychotic drugs, the only advantage this medication has is slightly fewer side effects.
However, it is associated with greater weight gain than older antipsychotic medications. Of all antipsychotic drugs, this is the drug that has been found to cause the most weight gain. Zyprexa has been tested for eating disorders and anxiety disorders, but has not been found effective for treating either condition in clinical trials. The only conditions that this drug should be used to treat are schizophrenia and bipolar disorder – after other options with less side effects have been explored.
Most people that have taken Zyprexa end up coming to a point where they have to weigh the benefits they are getting with the side effects of the drug. A majority of individuals end up quitting simply because the side effects are overwhelming. These side effects can include: increased cholesterol, weight gain, metabolic changes, increased stroke risk in elderly and/or the development of diabetes.
Factors that influence Zyprexa withdrawal
Below are several factors that influence withdrawal from Zyprexa. Perhaps the most influential factors are time span over which you took the drug and your dosage. However individual factors and how quickly you taper off of the medication can also play a role.
1. Time Span
How long were you on Zyprexa? In general, the longer you take an antipsychotic medication, the more dependent you become on it for everyday functioning. If you took this drug for many years, it will likely be much more difficult to withdraw from in comparison to someone who just took it for a month or two.
2. Dosage
Most people that are on this drug for an extended period of time end up having to increase their dosage. The greater the dosage you take, the easier it is for your body to build a tolerance to that higher dose. When you withdraw from the medication from a higher dose, you will likely need to conduct a longer taper than someone who is just on a low dose. If you quit cold turkey from a high dose, the withdrawal symptoms are thought to last much longer and be more severe.
For schizophrenia, most individuals take between 10 mg and 15 mg daily. The recommended starting dose is typically 5 mg. In general, most psychiatrists will gradually titrate a patient up to a dose that provides relief from symptoms. Antipsychotics carry powerful side effects and usually the lowest effective dose is recommended to minimize those effects.
3. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering
Did you quit cold turkey or did you conduct a gradual taper? Antipsychotics like Zyprexa are very serious drugs and the withdrawal effects can be debilitating. It is always recommended to conduct a very gradual taper to allow your body to slowly adjust to functioning without the drug over a period of time. In general the tapering period should be influenced by your current dose as well as how long you took the drug.
If you were on this particular drug for an extended period of time, it is recommended to taper at a rate of 10% per month. By slowly reducing your dose, you will give your neurotransmitters some time to accommodate and adjust to changes in the amount of the drug you ingest. If you are very sensitive to even minor reductions in dose, you can request a liquid compound that will allow you to reduce your dose by fractions of milligrams.
4. Personal Factors
Individual factors play a huge role in determining the difficulty of withdrawal. Some people naturally are very sensitive to changes in dosage and may have a much more difficult time withdrawing. Additionally some people have much more social support than others which helps them cope with their experience coming off of the drug.
People taking other medications or transitioning to another antipsychotic may not even notice much of a withdrawal compared to individuals who were only taking Zyprexa. Some individuals have better dietary habits, sleeping patterns, exercise habits, less stressful jobs, etc. – all these factors can play a role in influencing withdrawal. Therefore it is recommended to not compare yourself to that of other people when withdrawing.
Zyprexa Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities
Below is a list of symtpoms that you may experience when coming off of Zyprexa. Keep in mind that not everyone will experience every single symptom listed below. You may experience a few of the symptoms or many and the severity of withdrawal will be influenced by individual factors.
- Anxiety: Many people report very extreme anxiety when they quit Zyprexa. This is a drug that many people find calming and when taken away, a person can feel extremely anxious. Do your best to practice relaxation exercises and recognize that the anxiety is part of withdrawal.
- Appetite changes: While on Zyprexa, many people experience significant increases in appetite. A person may feel as if they are never full and/or are transforming into Hulk as a result of the food that they eat. When coming off of Zyprexa, most people experience decreased appetite.
- Bipolar symptoms: Some people may experience a reemergence of Bipolar symptoms (e.g. mania) when they quit taking this drug. If you have Bipolar disorder and are on this medication, proceed slowly and with caution when withdrawing.
- Concentration problems: If you find it very difficult to concentrate on tasks such as reading, writing, and/or work, you are not alone. Many people have major difficulties with focusing when they are going through withdrawal. This symptom tends to improve over time as your brain adapts to functioning without the drug.
- Confusion: When you experience a bunch of uncomfortable physical symptoms accompanied by foggy thinking, concentration problems, and emotional disturbances, this can result in a state of confusion. If you feel confused often, just know that this will improve over time.
- Crying spells: The depression that people experience when quitting an antipsychotic like Zyprexa can be very tough to deal with. This may result in a person crying excessively because they feel so down in the dumps.
- Depersonalization: Do you feel unlike your old “normal” self? This is because your neurotransmitters are out of balance and have changed since you took the medication. It will likely take your brain some time to reset its homeostatic functioning.
- Depression: Many people report extreme depression when they stop taking this drug. The depression is thought to be a result of lowered levels of dopamine and serotonin. You should eventually experience some lift in mood after some time off of the medication.
- Diarrhea: Some people experience diarrhea when they discontinue this medication. This isn’t an extremely common symptom, but one that has been reported. If this is the case, you may want to consider some over the counter Imodium.
- Dizziness: Among the most common withdrawal symptoms from any psychiatric medication is that of dizziness. It is common for people to feel very dizzy, especially if the tapering was done too quickly. Dizziness will eventually lessen over time as the brain functioning readjusts.
- Fatigue: Most people report excessive tiredness and general fatigue when they come off of Zyprexa. You may have a difficult time performing everyday tasks because your energy level is so low. Just know that your energy level will eventually return as time passes.
- Hallucinations: There is evidence pointing to the fact that some people experience psychotic symptoms as a result of withdrawal. This is thought to be a result of changes in dopamine receptor functioning and dopamine levels.
- Headaches: Some people experience splitting severe headaches when they come off of this medication. Having headaches accompanied by dizziness can be a very difficult one-two punch. Just know that these should subside after your body restores proper functioning.
- Insomnia: This drug tends to calm people down and in many cases makes them sleepy. When coming off of it, the opposite can be true. Some people report such intense anxiety and an inability to fall asleep. Â Insomnia may persist for quite some time after your last dose. Â It should improve as you make some lifestyle changes and your neurotransmitter levels change.
- Irritability: Do you notice yourself becoming increasingly irritable? If you feel more irritable than normal and little things set you off, it may be a result of withdrawal. Neurotransmitter levels are in fluctuation, which is thought to lead to people feeling irritable.
- Memory problems: It is very common to experience poor memory functioning upon drug discontinuation. It isn’t well known as to why these drugs can lead to memory problems. With that said, most people do experience improvements in memory with time off of the drug.
- Mood swings: Some people experience pretty severe mood swings upon discontinuation. One minute you may feel as though the withdrawal is over, the next you may feel swamped in a state of deep depression. For this I’m not referring to “bipolar” mood swings, rather just unexpected changes in mood.
- Muscle cramps: Those who have taken this medication over the long term may experience muscle cramps and/or weakness during the withdrawal process.
- Nausea: Many people report intense nausea during the time in which they discontinue their medication. The nausea can be severe to the point that a person also vomits. In general, the nausea after the last dose shouldn’t last more than a couple weeks.
- Panic attacks: Some individuals report experiencing heightened anxiety to the point of panic attacks. In other words, a person experiences such high arousal that everyday activities lead to intense feelings of panic.
- Psychosis: It has been documented that withdrawal from antipsychotics can cause psychosis. It is not very common to experience this upon withdrawal, but it does happen. Obviously this may signify the reemergence of schizophrenia, but in those without schizophrenia, it can be part of withdrawal.
- Restlessness: If you feel especially restless for no apparent reason, it is likely due to the withdrawal that you are experiencing. The changes in neurotransmitters, elevated level of arousal, and anxious thinking can make a person restless.
- Suicidal thinking: It is extremely common to feel suicidal during your withdrawal. You may experience suicidal thoughts that seem as if they will never subside. Over time, these should gradually subside. If you feel suicidal and cannot cope with these thoughts, please seek professional help.
- Sweating: Many people sweat intensely when they withdraw from psychiatric drugs – this antipsychotic is no exception. If you notice that you are sweating profusely throughout the day and wake up sweating in the middle of the night, just know it’s part of the process.
- Vomiting: Feel flu-like to the point that you are nauseous and keep vomiting? Some people have reported intense vomiting spells during the first week or two when they initially quit this medication. To reduce this symptom, be sure to wean off of Zyprexa as gradually as possible.
- Weight loss: Taking this drug is known to increase appetite and slow metabolism, which leads to many people gaining weight. Zyprexa is one of the worst drugs for trying to keep weight off – most people eat way too much food on this drug in particular. When you stop taking it and stay off of it for awhile, you should also lose the weight that you gained.
Zyprexa Withdrawal Length: How long does it last?
When it comes to withdrawal from Zyprexa, there is really no exact timeline that can be followed. The withdrawal symptoms and length have a lot to do with individual factors such as: how you tapered off the drug, how long you had taken it, and whether you are on other medications. For people that have taken this drug for a long term, the withdrawal symptoms may linger for over 90 days. For others, the withdrawal may only persist for a couple of weeks – it totally depends.
If you worked closely with a professional for tapering off of Zyprexa and gradually weaned off of the drug over a period of weeks or months, you may not have many symptoms following your last dose. On the other hand, someone who has taken it for years and decides to quit “cold turkey” may find themselves really struggling with severe symptoms as their brain attempts to rewire itself for functioning without the drug.
I always recommend evaluating symptoms after 90 days. Many people overreact with intense panic and anxiety in the first few weeks thinking that their withdrawal symptoms will never improve. The reality is that with good sleep, proper diet, exercise, and structure (e.g. work), most people will notice improvement in their withdrawal after 3 months being drug-free. Even if you are not fully recovered after 90 days, you will likely feel much improved compared to the initial couple weeks of withdrawal.
If you have successfully withdrawn from Zyprexa or are currently experiencing withdrawal symptoms, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. Your experience may greatly help another person who is going through the same withdrawal.
I accidentally quit taking olanzapine 2.5mg. I’ve been wanting to for a long time. I’m not sure when, but at least since the beginning of the week (monday) according to my pill box. I didn’t put the olanzapine in it. Starting Wednesday evening, I started noticing severe akathisia or anixety – so bad I could not sleep, sit down, lie down, etc… I kept going on long walks all night long.
I eventually managed to get 4 hours of sleep. Thursday I had the same problem except I slept 2 hours and Friday I didn’t sleep at all. Now it is Saturday night and I can’t sleep. I feel so awake, and anxious, and restless. I would be surprised if I can sleep Sunday too. I’m seeing my doctor on monday and will be asking for something to knock me out. I’ve been very weepy though all of this, because it feels so horrible and I didn’t know what was causing it until today.
Coming off 2.5 mg Olanzapine one night on and one off. Is it normal to suffer from cold legs along with the muscles tightening and fatigue? I have only been doing this for just over a week. How long will these symptoms go on for? Please help.
I have never been psychotic, but was given a low dose of Olanzapine and left on it for years. In my ignorance, I quit cold turkey. Withdrawal panic attacks were so bad I had to go back on it. I managed to get off the stuff by cutting down slowly over a few months. I feel that my heart has been damaged through this experience, it’s not as good as it was. I have a very jaundiced attitude to the whole mental health industry.
I am currently withdrawing from zyprexa. Dr stopped it due to weight gain and high cholesterol. He stopped me cold turkey and did not replace it with anything. I told him about my side effects coming off of the medicine which developed within a few days…nausea, vomiting, severe headache, difficulty concentrating, terrible depression and anxiety, stomach cramping, loss of appetite, and extreme tiredness. He told me to go to army GP.
GP said I have migraines. Needless to say, it has been three months of this now and I don’t seem to be getting better. I took 10 mg…finally went to the ER because it just persists. I was told zyprexa withdrawal and that it can last for months…how many more months? Some days I’m completely non-functional…I took the med for about a year.
Hi Vikki. I can relate to your withdrawal symptoms. I am two weeks into coming off Olanzapine. I was on 2.5 mg so I tapered by a quarter over a month. I went to ER because of stomach/lower abdomen pains and of course results showed up nothing. Sometimes I don’t think you are not told the terrible withdrawals you will get from this terrible drug. I wasn’t! Some days I feel better than others but I am no where mee feeling right yet. Hoping this won’t last too much longer but I know I would never go back on this drug! Cheers, Jenny
I’ve been on Zyprexa, 10 mg daily for 6 years. I have Schizoaffective I disorder. The only side effect I suffered while on this drug was a gradual 50 pound weight gain. 3 months ago I started a diet and exercise program to try and lose the weight I’d gained. I had no success losing any weight at all so I decided to quit the Zyprexa cold turkey 5 days ago. So far I’ve noticed a significant decrease in my appetite. I have no other withdrawal symptoms. I have read the horror stories written on this board about serious withdrawal sickness. My question is how long after your last dose did the withdrawal symptoms start? I’m concerned about becoming as ill as others have written.
I hope you don’t become ill. I would not wish this on anyone!!! Best of luck.
First of all, I’d just like to say that the hospital I voluntarily admitted myself into mysteriously has no record of my treatment on file, so I have no idea what the dosages were at the time that I received them. Anyways…I received an injection of zyprexa upon voluntarily admittance to said hospital and an “1 month” injection of prolixin upon discharge. 4 days after my discharge, and 10 days after receiving the injection of zyprexa, I felt great until these horrid feelings of intense anxiety/worthlessness/guilt/shame (depression?) and crying spells hit me out of nowhere.
There was blurry vision and restlessness from the prolixin, then swollen ankles after trying to walk the restlessness off so I could actually sleep. I’d spend hours wailing and crying in bed and in the shower because I couldn’t walk outside or concentrate. Complete loss of appetite for days. I experienced starvation without hunger, and complete exhaustion while being restless.
A friend encourages me to eat more to help the drugs metabolize and that’s when the real torture began. At this point, the restlessness was gone but my crying intensified. Thoughts about committing suicide plagued me and I actually made a desperate plunge for a kitchen knife to end my life a few times due to the distress I was in. Soon numbness occurred in my brain and what felt like depression set in. Also experienced headaches, then strange sensations on the right side of my brain. I had no idea what was going on with me until I somehow realized via Google search that these were withdrawal symptoms.
The hospital is denying that such a thing exists, but finding this site gave me hope that I could make it through this. I’m traumatized by the extreme emotional turmoil these drugs put me through. I’ve never felt such high levels of anxiety and depression in my entire life, and I know what depression feels like. Everyone has a different opinion about my diagnosis. It’s been torture. After 2-3 months of endurance, I’m beginning to feel like my normal self again with only lessening anxiety attacks to worry about.
My brain still feels numb and an occasional headache, like it’s trying to balance itself out, but I’ve improved drastically from the way I’ve been feeling previously. Now I just need some therapy and to mentally recover. Why do I feel like a victim of medical malpractice?
Quit zyprexa 10 mg, cold turkey, after being on it for 2/1-2 years. This is day 11, and I’m going through hell. I got up and moved around for the first time today, just to return back to all the hell. Why is my brain doing this???
I was on 2.5mg for about 6 months and decided to quit cold turkey. It has been almost 2 months since I quit. I have experienced: nausea, daily vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, severe muscle cramps so bad that I have gone to the ER, loss of appetite (I have to force myself to eat most of the time), and insomnia. I can’t believe my doctor put me on this garbage without trying any other medication first.
When I was on the medicine I gained 24 pounds in the first two months. I am only 5’2″ and already weighed 165 lbs. to begin with. The last thing I needed to deal with was the host of problems being obese caused me, but that was not the worst part. When I was not at my part-time job or at school, all I wanted to do was sleep all the time. This caused me miss out on a lot of things. It also ruined my relationship with my boyfriend.
I hated this medication while I was on it and the withdrawal has been almost unbearable. I do not trust doctors anymore. Just recently I was prescribed three medications to help with my severe muscle pain. I was shocked to read the accompanying literature and discover that all three had “potentially fatal” side effects. I’m sorry. No more rat poison for me. I am a mother and I love myself. I refuse to let the medical community ruin or possibly end my life. I am investigating alternative treatments.
I was put on this drug while I was in a hospital. I was put on it along with lithium. I couldn’t stand the fact it made me sleep 12 hours at a time, caused me to feel like a zombie. It made me feel like I had a lobotomy.
I’m about one month out after being on it for about 3 months. My head is clearer and the depersonalization has dissipated. I’m waiting for things to get entirely better. I miss writing. My imagination hasn’t rebounded just yet.
After being on zyprexa for 6.5 years at 20mg per day, I decided to get off it. I had gained 77lbs, had high cholesterol, metabolism issues and high triglycerides. I have been diagnosed as Bipolar 1 with psychotic features. When I first started zyprexa it was a miracle. I felt really good (but not manic good) and could function very well. Then we had to start upping the dose. I was at 20mg a day with a 10mg PRN option.
I gained so much weight so fast I got diastasis recti. That happens to pregnant women. Stretch marks go without saying. I have recently gone off benzos after 15 years and so I thought I would try and see how I did off the zyprexa. WOW! I was dumb and went cold turkey. Shakes, nausea, vomitting, skin crawling, sweating, loose stool all the time, cramps (dear God the cramps!), heart palpitations, insomnia, night terrors, dizziness, high tempature, mild anxiety, hypomania, insane thirst…I think the only thing that has not happened is dying.
It has been two months of this. I am willing to pay this price because I am tired of being a zombie, still having symptoms and being obese. Now I can see my toes again. So it should be worth it. Good luck everybody!
I was taking zyprexa for 8 months. Went pretty much cold turkey on 15mg due to side effects and about 3 days after my last dose I had intense nausea, vomiting, severe diarrhea & crying spells. I would wake up each day with tremors and start dry retching until I drank some water to vomit up. Could hardly move out of bed. Only thing I could eat without pain and vomiting was a small amount of fresh soup.
After a week of this my condition started to slowly improve. It’s now week 3 of my withdrawal, I still have slight nausea & insomnia. My mental health has improved greatly, I can think and use my brain again. Mentally I feel so much better just need to keep dealing with the physical withdrawal symptoms. I have been drinking large amounts of pure spring water it seems to help.
I was on 10 mg of Zyprexa for nearly 10 years, started tapering off last year and took my final dose in May. I’m still not sleeping well and have good days/bad days for anxiety. Occasionally I have vivid dreams/nightmares. On the plus side, I’ve lost 10 pounds. In general I think Zyprexa helped me, and I didn’t have any side effects other than a little weight gain. If things don’t get better soon I may go back on it.
I have recently come off olanzapine. I had been on it for nearly 3 years after being sectioned in hospital with psychosis. I had no obvious side effects as I gradually reduced it over the period of about a year; I went from 10mg, to 7.5mg, 5mg, then finally 2.5mg. When it was time to come off it I looked online, and to my horror found hundreds of horrible stories about people not being able to come off it, with nausea and sickness, insomnia, anxiety and more. It really upset me and I spent hours reading these stories, but the majority seemed to be bad!
I decided that if I came off it and I was OK I would definitely post to some of these forums with a more successful story, to bring others hope, perhaps. I also asked my mental health nurse, and she said she hadn’t really heard anyone having problems coming off it! So to anybody coming off it, remember that everybody is different, and while some people may have withdrawal or a bad reaction, it is probably more likely that the majority of people who don’t have problems coming off don’t look online at these forums, and don’t see any reason to post.
I am sorry for all of you that do have problems trying to come off this medication, and I am not saying that your problems are not real or that they don’t matter, i just want to balance out the viewpoint a bit that seems to suggest that the majority of people have a bad time with this. So after reading these stories I decided to decrease the olanzapine even more by cutting my 2.5mg tablets in half. I did this for about a week, but just felt my body was screaming at me that I just did not need this drug anymore.
So I stopped and I was OK! I immediately felt better, more alive some how. My skin did feel quite itchy for a few days but that’s about it really. It wasnt terrible, just a bit annoying. and I started getting up much earlier! I used to sleep for hours, at one point I must have been sleeping for about 16 hours a day. Now I generally get about 8 hours, which is my ideal. I have been off the olanzapine for about 2 months now and have lost 1 of the 3 stone I put on whilst I was on it.
I am so happy to be off it, its not good to be on in the long run. I just hope I can stay off it now! I hope my story will encourage anyone who may be reading about this who wants to come off it. Please keep positive! and good luck to you all.
Thank you for your positive input. Hope you are still doing well. You made my day! Much love from Germany. -Kerstin
I have read all the comments and still feel I want to try coming down off my 5mg olanzapine. I’ve put on 3 stone since I started taking it 15 years ago. I also developed diabetes, but it’s the noticeable hunger that doesn’t seem normal. I’m in a better place anxiety-wise, so still feel positive about trying to cut down to lose some weight. Seeing dr after X-Mas… Wish me luck.
I have had a terrible time withdrawing from 2.5 mg. Zyprexa. I did half for a few months and then stopped totally. I think it has been a month or so. I am very nauseous, lost 10 pounds and am beginning to feel somewhat better but my anxiety is high. My psychiatrist is saying go back on it but I am not!!! It is a horrid drug and the withdrawal is horrid. I think doctors who prescribe it should be charged with a crime but I am stuck with my doctor since I have seen him for 40 years almost.
Only 5mg for bipolar diagnosed after 2 breakdowns in 2 years. Taken for 7 years. Loss of interest in anything no libido erectile dysfunction high cholesterol and pre-type 2 diabetes + fat wait. Tried to quit loads of times. Failed because of bad anxiety. Finally went for it because it was either quit or stay on forever. Reduced to 2.5 for 3 months then stopped. Now 6 months after the last tab I have got my life back and my libido. But during this period tried mindfulness, acceptance therapy, going to gym to pump iron, and accepting who I am and that nothing lasts forever. Good look. Don’t ever go on this drug unless you are in crisis then come off as soon as possible.
I have been on a low dose of olanzapine for 2 years now. I have been taking half of a 2.5 pill every night. Since I started this pill I have been suffering from debilitating side effects. The worst of all my side effects is the fact that this pill has taken away all of my sexual desire. 6 days ago I stopped taking the pill altogether. Some withdrawal symptoms have been appearing such as restlessness, insomnia, lack of appetite, and excessive sweating. I know it may sound silly, but I have found that marijuana has greatly been helping me through this withdrawal period.
Any of the side effects I develop have been negated due to smoking a bowl (except for sweating.) For any of you who feel comfortable substituting one drug for a less harmful one, I would greatly suggest this. I have been on pills and doctor prescribed medications since I was 14. I am 19 now. Everything has made me feel worse, ESPECIALLY ZYPREXA, except for weed.
I was put on olanzapine years ago to help quit marijuana use, reduce anxiety, depression, help me eat, calm me down, etc. For the first few months I had a lot of trouble adjusting to life on this drug. After a while my drug use was halved but never got below that. I also gained a stone in weight and began eating more. I got up to 20mg a day very quickly. Then after a while my smoking increased and my eating slowed and almost stopped. I got severely depressed and suicidal.
After years on it a friend told me I was not myself and that it wasn’t helping me. I stopped taking it three weeks ago and things started to get better. A week later I stopped smoking all together and started eating a lot more. I felt like my brain was waking back up. I found I could do things I never had the confidence to try before. I am getting withdrawals like vivid dreams/nightmares, snapping at people, over thinking about things, excessive sweating, trouble sleeping, etc.
I think this is the worst drug I’ve ever know and has nearly f#cked my life up. Everyday is a struggle but with support I am getting through it all. If you are struggling with this drug you are not alone, I hope this helps people in a similar situation.
I have those withdrawals now too! I snapped at my dad the other night, keep having ridiculous vivid and somewhat realistic dreams that wake me up in a cold sweat. I’m now struggling to sleep and waking up early. Thank you for sharing, let’s hope things balance out soon. Good to know we’re not alone!
Holy Moley! This drug is evil! I was put on Olanzapine aged 21 at 10mg I’m now 34 and have been off this drug for about 1 month. I don’t really remember what I was like before the drug but being on it I tried to commit suicide 13 times compared to 0 before. I’d put on 4 stone in 6 months. I’m experiencing some horrid withdrawals and seriously contemplating to start again just to make them stop.
I do not have a memory, I can’t hold items or cut up food, I feel I’m in a goldfish bowl, the cramps I’m getting in legs, toes and even my chest is so painful. My bad thoughts are stronger than ever and I’m a zombie state 24/7. I’m also on Mirtazapine start of 30mg and down to 7.5. Called the doctor to get help but can’t be seen for 24 days! I can’t cope with this.
Hey, I feel for you man. I’ve been on zyprexa for the last 3.5 years. I honestly say to hell with all psychiatric medication. I feel that slowly tapering off zyprexa over a couple years might be your best bet since you’ve been on it for the last 13 years. Maybe 7.5 mg for 6 months, 5 mg 6 months, 3.75 mg 6 months, 2.5 mg 6 months, 1.875 mg 6 month, 1.25 mg 6 month, 0.625 6 month, 5 days a week for 3 month, 3 days a week for 3 month…and nothing. That’s 4 years. I hope that will work if you want to try to slowly taper off. I hope everything gets better for you!
Tapering off. Been on Zyprexa 20 years. Tried to go cold turkey from 5 mg on the advice of psychiatrist. Bad results. Now, on my own, down to 2.5 mg after 2 months. So far, so good. The rest may take a long time, but it seems it is worth the try. Even my psychiatrist recommended attempting to stop so, I feel good. Lots of annoyances: Vertigo, nausea, constipation, anxiety, numbness; however, all mostly manageable. Guessing this will be a long road, but it is happening.
I’ve taken Zyprexa for 2 years and had to quit because I developed high blood sugar, high cholesterol, memory problems and just because it wasn’t helping with my schizophrenia anymore. Last night I quit taking it and within 3 hours I got severely shaky, got insomnia and now feeling like I’m going to faint. Zyprexa is horrible. My short term memory has gotten better though, yay!
I have been on zyprexa for about 4 years. It was given to me because I have had a severe eating disorder for 24 years. I will admit it helped me tremendously. But at the price of gaining about 70 pounds! I’ve been tapering off now for the last 5 months. My max dose was 20 mg. At one point I tried to quit cold turkey and the withdrawal was unbearable so I went back in 5 mg. Well a few weeks ago I decided I need to lose weight. And 5 days ago I decided to quit zyprexa entirely.
Surprisingly I’m OK. I am dizzy but its manageable. I’m sleeping great and I’m not that anxious. But it is important to note I’m on ambien and a small dose of klonopin so maybe that’s why I’m not withdrawing so bad? My treatment team is 100% against me getting off zyprexa. They are afraid I will relapse. I don’t care. The weight gain was unbearable. Good luck to all of you and hopefully some of you will have better withdrawal reactions.
I just stopped the Olanzepine (Zyprexa) 10 mgs, one tablet at bedtime for major depressive disorder and panic attacks after two weeks. I am also taking 40 mgs of Prozac (still on Prozac) and 1 mg of Clonazepam as needed. I gained 20 pounds in two weeks while taking this drug. (Yes, 2 weeks) I was taken off Olanzepine and given Bispirone 10 mgs, 3 times daily. My biggest withdrawal symptoms are shortness of breath, swollen legs and ankles and muscle pains in lower back, knees and legs. My appetite has decreased somewhat. I’m disappointed that I was given such a powerful medication. I’m paying the price for it now. It will be nice to feel good again. Best wishes to you all for a speedy recovery from this drug.
I was on zyprexa 5mg for 6 months then on the sixth month my doc put me to 2.5mg. After a couple weeks I went cold turkey and I’m now on my 7th day. Have nausea and am feeling very depressed. Hoping to feel better soon.
After 3.5 months now feeling better… no nausea, occasionally feel depressed but nowhere close to where it used to be when first stopping cold turkey. Though I only used for 6 months 5mg, it looks like I’ve successfully quit zyprexa cold turkey!!
Well done, I’ve been off Olanzapine for 4 months now, I’m not depressed or anxious but I am so fed up with the nausea and vomiting, I cannot believe it is going on so long.
How long were you on it Kay? I didn’t have nausea at first but a month later I do now and it’s got worse. I’m thinking now feeling sick all the time recently is no coincidence?
I was on Olanzapine 5 mgs for 10 years but after 2 years I tried to stop the drug and had such frightening side effects that I went back on it. I was told it was a return of the original symptoms but I knew it was not. I suffered severe free floating anxiety, nausea, insomnia and a feeling of impending doom. I took the drug and it stopped within 2 days.
Since that original withdrawal I have tried several times with a slow reduction but I have still suffered but to a lesser degree. I am now on .625 mgs every other day and it has taken me years to get this far. I still feel the effects of nausea, insomnia and anxiety if I miss a dose and know my appetite and sleeping will be affected for a few weeks when I reduce the dose. It is a minuscule dose to some and it can still have such a powerful effect.
Back in 2005 the medical profession would not believe me when I told them of the discontinuation effects and put it down to a return of my original symptoms, but I knew it was not. I had a psychotic episode following a traumatic episode and now I believe I would have recovered without relapse without drugs. The drug did not have too many side effect for me apart from tachycardia, constipation and raised cholesterol but I feared the ticks, and diabetes and because it had such a hold on me I had to come off of it.
I am pleased that it is recognized that the discontinuation can have such severe effects and now take it seriously. Hopefully the medical profession will have second thoughts about starting the drug but I doubt it as the drug company would encourage more people to be prescribed the drug for trivial reasons. It should only be prescribed in the most serious of psychiatric diagnosis and be reviewed within the year as to the need to continue.
I was prescribed zyprexa when I visited a psychiatrist because of my insomnia. I asked for a sleeping pill for short term use. I didn’t know what zyprexa is until two weeks into taking it I was experiencing panick attacks, shaking, confusion. I did my research and was stunned it was an anti-psychotic drug. I read some horror stories of some horror stories of people who have taken it and that frightens me more. I quit cold turkey. I didn’t know about the horrible withdrawal and the tapering approach to coming off the drug. What a big mistake.
I was not able to get out of bed or function. I couldn’t eat and didn’t sleep for 3 weeks. I thought I was going to lose my mind. I changed doctor who diagnosed me with depression. I was put on quetiapine, mirtazapine. I had a severe headache the first night but I endured two more weeks of sleepless nights. I was a vegetable at this point and lost a tremendous amount of weight. I saw my psychiatrist and she changed quetiapine to zyprexa and added benzodiazepine for sleep.
A month later I stabilized. I was very against taking zyprexa but was desperate for sleep at that point. I lost my job due to the withdrawal. Once stabilized, I tapered zyprexa down to 2.5 mg. I stayed there for a month then stopped. The withdrawal was less painful this time. I experienced anxiety, fatigue, insomnia and I was less hungry. I will soon taper my antidepressant. My psychiatrist thinks I’m bipolar too. I was not depressed nor manic so I don’t agree with this diagnosis. She said I should take zyprexa again because I couldn’t sleep and she said she wants to avoid me getting manic for I have bipolar tendencies.
Crazy! I will never ever take zyprexa again and once I’m off my antidepressants I think I’m done with psychiatry. I lost many job opportunities, time, neglected my children because I can’t even take care of myself at some point; all because of the crazy psychiatrist who put me on zyprexa.
Can we say…I hope zyprexa is banned? I agree.
I have a similar story as yours. Are you off the Zyprexa? I went from 1.5mg to .625. I also had insomnia but was diagnosed as bipolar. Would like to share stories and results.
My son started taking 10 mg of Zyprexa at 16 for an episode of delusional behavior and was diagnosed with mild depressant bipolar. He has been on it for about 3 months now. His doc cut his dose to 5 mg a month ago and started him on Latuda which is another antipsychotic. He went from 127lbs to 160.
I noticed today he’s moving his tongue and mouth involuntarily. He seems like a totally different person. He’s not having anymore suicidal thoughts but has thoughts that don’t even make sense. I want to just completely take him off of the zyprexa and the latuda.
I’ve been on Zyprexa for 6 years, stop taking it 3 months ago and still have nausea, feel dizzy and severe anxiety, fatigue. Is it normal that my symptoms are still here after 3 months? Can anyone help with answer?
I was wrongly prescribed this for mild anxiety and took it for two years, then had bad GP advice about how to come off it. I stopped taking it in October 2015 and now 4 months later I’m still nauseous all the time, frequently vomiting and getting terrible headaches. I cannot get any help from my GP as she does not believe Olanzapine withdrawal can last this long. I don’t know who to turn to, but after 4 months I am never going near that drug again. Somehow I have to keep going, there must be an end to this!
Hi how long has it been now? Any improvements with the nausea? I’m hoping this doesn’t last months :(
A close friend has been on Zyprexa for almost 2 years at 10 mg a day and the results were positive. But the free pills the drug companies provided have dried up, doc trying to get them cheep for him. Meanwhile he is off the pills for 3 days, suffering terrible headaches and some nausea and anxiety, slight visual issues too. I fear his bipolar symptoms will come back now too!! Staff at the doctors office called in a script for enough to get him through (2 weeks). Problem is they cost $139.00 and he can’t afford that. They haven’t returned his calls and is miserable and fed up with it all. How can doctors be so uncaring toward their patients? I am a contact person and cleared on his HIPPA papers to discuss things, I may be calling them Monday to rip someone for this huge lack of caring towards their patient!
I was on Symbyax (6 mg Zyprexa/50 mg Prozac) for four months for depression/anxiety. In my opinion, this is an evil drug. Although, I didn’t recognize a problem, my daughter asked, “Mom, what is going on? You’ve gained weight (18 pounds), you don’t take care of yourself, you don’t take care of the house… what is wrong?” I realized the “downward spiral” started about one month after I began taking the Symbyax and I was so depressed I didn’t even realize it!
At the suggestion of my psychiatrist, I quit taking the Symbyax and began taking 40mg of Prozac – basically just stopping the Zyprexa component. The past six days have been a living hell! I have experienced the worst anxiety I’ve ever had in my life … panic attacks which have made me vomit and cry uncontrollably, have headaches that have made me want to pull my hair out, and horrible nausea. The withdrawal from this medication is almost unbearable.
I was on 5mg olanzapine for 9 months. It helped me after I experienced a mental breakdown (psychosis caused by zoloft). I should have only taken it for a few months but carried on taking it. My weight went from 12.5 stone to 14.5 stone. I decided to quit cold turkey. I experienced insomnia for around 6 weeks from discontinuation then my sleeping pattern returned to normal. I had no other withdrawal symptoms.
However, the effects of the drug don’t seem to go away. I have been clean for 5 months now and still feel an emotional bluntness / numbness a feeling like stuff does not really matter. I’ve started fighting to get the weight off me as this medication messes up your metabolism. All I would say is that for me this drug is definitely not for long term use, but it’s like a sledgehammer if things do get out of control.
I have been in Zyprexa 40 mg for two years. I gained weight and is afraid of developing diabetes so I just stopped cold turkey. I like the drug because I had beautiful dreams every night. I always had to take at least 4 benadryls with the sleep aid my doctor prescribed for side effects. I also believe they have helped me mitigate withdrawals. At first I couldn’t sleep. So I bought some sleep aid. That helped once you fall asleep one time your brain will start to fix itself so that it can fall asleep without zyprexa. My third night and I slept most of the night. Plus I don’t feel foggy and irritated. I almost feel back to myself. Good luck everybody.
I have been looking after my mother who is (was) a lively 80+ – she was prescribed Olanzapine 8 years ago when diagnosed with dementia. Another Doctor from her mental health team has now overturned the dementia diagnosis and she has been withdrawn cold turkey from the low dose Olanzapine. Six months later, we are going through the horrors of hell – intense crying, nausea, actually vomiting, anxiety, psychosis, extreme moods, never ending hunger one day, disinterested in food the next.
We were not offered a health professional to ‘walk us through’ the withdrawal and each day is as bad as the last. At a multi-disciplinary meeting last week, I was strongly advised to consider putting her in a home, and my pertinent questions on withdrawal went unanswered. I would like to agree with Scott who posted on Oct 29 and commiserate with Tara (Nov 10th) that I too am not happy with the lack of care and attention.
Hi: I am trying to taper off this poison. It has given me tardive dyskinesia. My muscles twitch and move all the time. I crossed over to this drug from the drug seroquel. I have terrible insomnia and I can’t sleep more than a couple of hours every night. Horrible experience. This drug should only be used with severely psychotic patients, but alas they are giving it out for everything from having an eating disorder to having anxiety. Prescribing this drug long term is malpractice and the doctors who do it should be sued. -Ken
I’ve been on 15mg of olanzapine for about two years since they took me off seroquel after it became incompatible with my new necessary medication. I’ve also had extreme (for me) weight gain and didn’t feel like I needed it for psychiatric purposes, more for insomnia and to put on weight as I was very under weight.
I have recently jumped off it and have been very fatigued and emotional, I’ve cried twice in two days when I haven’t cried in years. I’m kind of determining whether or not to keep up with the cold turkey. I didn’t think that they were addictive or I probably wouldn’t have taken them. I haven’t had any medical advice.
Hi Guys, well what can I say, Olanzapine is very intense and is a very high stimulant and its intresting to realise how hooked you are on it. I will tell you my tale. In 2012 I was diagnosed with a panic disorder caused by a variety of things I do not wish to discuss. I was in and out of hospital and sectioned under MHA (Mental health Act) for a few weeks. The doctors, although brilliant just placed me onto these tablets and said watch my weight as it would balloon.
I went from being 12 stone, too a 18 stone in two years, suffering from palpatations and chest pains and increased weight gain to the point of stretch marks around my body. I realised after being on olanzapine for nearly 2 years that it was doing more harm then good, no matter how calm and relaxed they made me. I did feel they were hindering my progress at being normal. I started to come of them very slowly due to my doctors orders, first from 5mg to 2.5 mg and then after about a year started coming of them even slower first every other day, then every other two days etc…
Am now on every 5 days and I am suffering at times. I am most unwell when I have free time, as I don’t like spare time and I prefer to be busy. I am at University in my final year which keeps me occupied but hate the spare time. Alcohol is also a hindrance as it makes me feel more unwell if I drink that. I’m at the point were I am not drinking anything alcohol as well as caffeine based. Hopefully these symptoms will pass. I just want to be off these tablets now.
First off, I wouldn’t recommend this drug to anybody who isn’t seriously mentally ill. If you have enough sense to know your problem and if you can tell reality from non reality then I don’t recommend this drug. I will admit it can make you more calm but it comes with a price of being a total idiot and not giving a damn about yourself or what happens to you. Listen I’m not saying that I’m a doctor, so what ever choice you make needs to be smart and not just rapid. But look remember the reasons why you are on it and that people do care about you. I mean honestly the problem might be that you think to much which in that case just try natural ways to deal with that.
I have the worst OCD I would think that my dad is going to die if I don’t do certain things or I would think that my animals would be punished and what I found is the more I engage that thought the more I would believe it. Drugs can help the way you feel but in all reality there just chemicals made in a lab there not some holy powder that will make things better. They’re just making you not care as much. And the thing I find that is so funny is that 100 years ago there was no such thing as antidepressants and anti-whatever and yes there were some whacked out people but they still managed just fine. The thing is these big pharmaceutical companies are getting paid billions by these so called mental disorders and it helps the economy.
Think about it even if there was a cure there will never be one made in this world because that would mean no more psychiatric services no more psychiatric hospitals and no more psychiatric drugs and if you think that there going to give up billions if not more to help little Susie get through her bipolar or whatever I don’t think you’re living on earth. But listen you may have a serious mental health disorder you may not, that is only something you and your doctor can determine. Zyprexa destroyed my personality and it made me someone who was weak and spineless.
It made me not care about myself. I wouldn’t shower for weeks, I would spend all of my money on fast food, and I would masturbate for hours. I would bang my head to music that I couldn’t even feel, and I would basically just let time fly by and not care about the outcomes of my choices. Don’t ever give up hope. Chances are you’re reading this and you are either new to the drug and don’t like it, or you’ve been on this drug or multiple drugs for many years. My message is don’t give up on yourself – you weren’t created with a bottle of zyprexa in your womb so you prob can live without it.
If the withdrawals are too severe then yes, it would be a good idea to seek additional help. If you are having breathing problems like some post said then do the smart thing and go to the ER because that’s just too much. Also if you are having psychosis, it might be a good idea to take a dose and talk with your doctor or just go to the ER because anybody that’s ever experienced it knows how scary that can be. Feel free to reply.
I agree no one should be prescribed zyprexa unless it is necessary. I was prescribed this just cause I had a little anxiety and the doctor didn’t want to give me a benzo, and I didn’t know better than to not trust a doctor and research what they give me. I’ve been on it 4 years and tried to get off many times and never can handle the horrid withdrawals so I end up taking again!
The worst for me is the total insomnia I do not sleep not even for a minute I just lay there awake all night the longest I stayed up was two weeks straight than I had enough and my doctor won’t give me any benzodiazepines to help with it and sleeping meds don’t work for me. I feel like a diff person on this Med only thing good is I feel more laid back but also I’m afraid to talk to people I will go to extreme to not have to talk to people besides my close family, to where I won’t let my husband leave me alone with someone cause I can’t conversate I feel I never have nothing to say and feel dumb.
Also I have gained 40lbs which I do not like and the doctor put me on a weight loss pill and I was able to lose 30lb put I can’t be on it long so I will just gain it all back I have been eating less than a bird to lose this weight and I can’t do it much longer. I need to get off this evil drug. Has also caused other health problems like my pulse is always over a hundred at rest which isn’t normal I’m always afraid I’ll have a heart attack!
Also severe constipation which I have to take a laxative every single day or I won’t go. I could go ten days and not even have an urge to go! I feel I’m stuck on this medication for the rest of my life! Any advice on getting off no matter if I taper or not the withdrawals are still hell! Also I ask my doctor for help and tell him I want off and he keeps telling me I’m fine on it so I should stay on it!
Purple, little by little it gets better but it’s a long journey. I couldn’t sleep for months. I took sleeping pills which helped me greatly but I didn’t want to get addicted to that too. Thus, I took them sparingly.
After a few months the sleep does come back but in the meantime you may need some sleeping aid to help. I am also taking mag. B-complex and krill oil which has been helping me in the process. I have experience some memory loss but it’s much better than before. It’s still not there yet. Take one day at a time. It will get better.
The insomnia is awful. I was on this drug for three years and now I’m trying to quit. I don’t sleep at all. I go two days without the pill or sleep and the third day I have to take it again. I hope this doesn’t last to long. And I smoke cigarettes constantly when I quit the pill.
I’ve been on 20 mg Zyprexa for over 3 years and 2 weeks ago started cutting them in half then I plan on going down to 1/4 next month or so. Feeling nausea, weak, headaches & depressed, but I’m determined to get off it. I went from 141 lbs to 230 lbs. Developed diabetes and hypothyroidism after I started taking it. I want to be healthy again. It has numbed my emotions and made me slow witted. It looks like its going to be a long hard road, but I’m done with zyprexa.
Brilliantly and intelligently said Corey. Very very thoughtful, helpful and honest thank you.
Update: I lasted 21 days off Zyprexa. On day 20 I was vomiting due to the dizziness and nausea. I also became extremely sensitive to lights and noise. On day 21 I could barely walk without passing out from weakness and dizziness. So I went back on 2.5 once a day and I will attempt an even more gradual taper once I stabilize. The nausea is still bad but my anxiety and depression are better.
I hate this drug and hate that I went through 3 weeks of withdrawal only to have to start over, but it could not be help as I nearly ended up needing to be hospitalized. I will look into getting a liquid formula so I can more easily measure taper reductions. So either I really need this drug to function or my tapering wasn’t slow enough…I’m hoping it’s the latter.
Hell Chris. I know exactly how you feel. I was on 2.5 mg for about a year. I then cut it in half with a pill cutter and about a month ago I tried to go off it. I experienced extreme nausea and vomiting It was so hard going to work I couldn’t eat breakfast because I would throw up and on my drive home I would have to hold in from being sick and soon as I got home I would be sick.
I ended taking sick days at work because I felt so awful and then I started getting depressed because I wanted to go off the medication so badly. Eventually like you I gave in and am taking it again. I am slowly weening myself off it. I suggest a pill cutter. I am now down to a quarter which is very difficult to cut. I want to try and go every other day and then off entirely. If you try again and are successful please let me know.
I have been on zyprexa for three years – put on it when I was hospitalised for severe depression. I am bipolar (type 1) and zyprexa (with my other meds) works really well for me. BUT I have become physically very unwell due to extreme weight gain. So about a month ago I took my last dose. It has been very hard emotionally; I feel like I am slipping back into a depressive episode. I can’t sleep and the anxiety and sadness is extreme. I am so hoping it will only take 90 days to get through this. I just have to hang on. It is so very hard.
I have been on that goddamn drug for almost 1 one month then stopped it without gradual. I got low blood pressure and weak heart beats and difficulty breathing when making any movements. Then I got panic attacks, making me unable to focus on any thing ,so I went back on it and then stopped it gradually. One week after stopping, I was almost perfect. But the second week, I had nausea, dizziness, insomnia and then difficulty breathing. I felt better for almost one day on end of the second week and then came the symptoms again. Now I’m on the third week and almost feel no better. When will those symptoms disappear?
Great article and comments. I was given Olanzapine (Zyprexa) to help with anxiety from benzodiazepine withdrawals. I was at 10mg and gradually tapered down to 0.6mg per day. It was a brutal 3 month tapering and I suffered daily. By the third day off, my heart was jumping out of my chest. Then came night sweats, diarrhea, rage/anger, fear, paranoia, crying spells, and depression to a suicidal level. It’s been 17 days since my last dose and I want to believe symptoms are better but I don’t know since it is still horribly tough.
I was on this drug for only 2 weeks. Then I slowly came off it. The withdrawals were terrible. I am wondering how long until it stops. The worst are the thoughts for me. It’s been 3 weeks now since I’ve been off. How long until my brain goes back to normal?
I have been taking zyprexa off and on for 7 years. Always in 3 month intervals due to hospitalization. I had such a difficult time pin pointing which medication I was taking was causing me to have more severe anxiety than i had prior to taking it. It caused me to use it as a crutch or a convenient reason to not cope with my mental illness. It also was the cause of my misdiagnosis.Now that I have been diagnosed with Bipolar personality type 1. I’m hesitant to accept this diagnosis since it comes during my zyprexa withdrawal period. Also my sex life is crap.
Damn this stuff is awful! I’ve been recently diagnosed with bipolar 1 and the doctors have me on 20 mg of olanzipane and 450mg of lithium. I had to secretly stop taking the olanzipane because it is toxic crap. I have no idea who I am when I am taking it… I’m so far removed from myself that I am simply numb! I just quit it cold turkey and I haven’t looked back since. Although I was only on it for a month and a half. These chemicals that these “health professionals” put us on are crazy! They are dulling us down. I don’t want any part in it. :)
Good on you Cindy. I wish you well. Thank you for sharing.
I have been withdrawing off Zyprexa for just over two weeks… It’s been hell. Nausea every day, but I can live with that. What is unbearable is the mood swings and panic attacks. I feel suicidal one minute, then extremely angry or anxious the next. Reading that other people have similar experiences however is comforting… My doctor is suggesting I go back on it because I am having such a strong reaction but I am going to hang in there. Good luck to everyone else!
Hang in there. It gets better.
I took Symbyax, that contained just 3mgs of Zyprexa, for about 5 years. I had severe memory problems as a side effect so I decided to quit taking the drug. I became completely psychotic! I had to get back on the meds and taper slowly. To do this I had to open capsules and cut the powder into little equal piles.
I was taking one eighth of just 3mgs of Zyprexa when I quit this time. After about 4 days of completely discontinuing the drug the withdrawals hit me! All this after tapering down to almost nothing for months. My best advice is to taper down very slowly before you quit all the way. Expect some discomfort because Zyprexa is a VERY BAD drug.
Update. It has now been 5 months since my last dose of Zyprexa. Memories are starting to come back but I am a long way from being as healthy as I was before taking this drug. It feels like I may never be the same again. The first few months were a living hell and I am not exaggerating. It is tough to do and very uncomfortable but getting off this poison can be done.
I should never have been prescribed this poison in the first place. So far Zyprexa has seriously messed up 6 years of my life. The creators of this ‘so called’ medicine should be held accountable for the grief they have caused to its unsuspecting victims.
My son has been on olanzapine from the age of 16, he is now 19 his max level was 20mg. We have been in the very slow process of coming off, it has taken us a year but he is now at one month no olanzapine. We are determined to deal with side effect of the drug in order to try and get back to some sort of normal life. He still suffers a lot with sweating, anxiety and depression.
He gained a lot of weight on the drug, now he has lost the majority of the weight gain. He has been smoking marijuana as it seems to help with his withdrawals and keeps his appetite up. This has been an extremely!!! Hard road to travel!!! But am hoping for the light at the end of this long tunnel!!! Sure wish there was some sort of support program out there, it is a lonely road to travel.
Best of luck for anyone dealing with these issues, olanzapine is NO GOOD the sooner you can get off the better!!!
Hi All, I’ve been on zyprexa for just over a year and have been trying to come off. Any good news stories out there? I’m suffering extreme anxiety and depression along with nausea at the moment. I’m trying to stay positive though and am hoping meditation and exercise will help. I really want to get off zyprexa!
Have you tried switching to a different antipsychotic?
I have been on olanzapine for 2 years and have gone from a size 12 to a size 18. I have tried many times to stop gradually but I end up not being able to think straight and I have severe breathing problems when I try to stop. I’m determined not let this drug rule my life as it has made me unhealthy. So I’m trying to come off it again… its been 2 days without any and I’m feeling dizzy and like I want to vomit.
Hi Megan I was on olanzapine for 5 years and was taking 5mg I was weened off it with 2.5 mg for 2 weeks and mg 1.25 for 2 weeks then stopped taking the drug. I am having problems breathing through my nose its all dried out and I have no mucous. I am having trouble sleeping at night as well. What kind of severe breathing problems are you having? How long before it got better with the breathing?
My husband has been on zyprexa for a few years under doctor instructions he quit cold turkey. Since august he has been throwing up (seriously everyday) has had higher anxiety is experiencing numbness in the body and we have monthly doc check ups and all they do is put him on an IV for fluids and send him home with nausea pills that seem to not do a thing. They basically just say they are not a psychiatrist so they don’t know how to treat him. He has had blood work up done, ultrasound done of gallbladder and liver, and a CT done of his abdomen and still no answers! Please if anyone has experienced something like this it would be nice to hear about and if you have any advice or answers on how to get through it. I would greatly appreciate ANY advice.
Go to a psychiatrist! Should never take specific field drug advice from a GP. I have been taking it for over four years and even tapering off at 25% a month has had me miserable for months on end. Best of luck to you, there is an end and your future will be brighter when you arrive there.
Omg my feet and hands are always swollen and numb in the a m. I told my pdoc and she said it is a side effect! I have only been on it 3 months and gained 30 lbs! I have been off it five days and withdrawal is kicking in! My body odor stinks, I’m nauseous, dizzy and having crying spells! These drugs are a flipping joke!
Yes about the B/O but I think it’s a sign that your hormones are starting to function again. The zyprexa really messes with your hormones which is also why your metabolism shuts down. I’m going on 24 days down to 2.5… shaking and sweaty, but I’m not giving up this time.
I had a similar experience, I’ve been taking it for four years. When I went off of the drug the first time I attempted to wean myself off I experienced very similar symptoms. I also threw up several times during the week on average about three times per week. I went through all of the tests had all of the blood work, but they were unable to find anything and as a result I developed an ulcer from all of the vomiting and started to puke up blood.
None of the pills worked on a long term basis to rid me of the nausea. Since then I have discovered that that CBD oil helps the nausea and withdrawals. I stopped puking the moment I took it and this was a huge thing for me, it also helped my energy levels and anxiety. I have since been able to stop taking the drug entirely after weaning off of 2.5 mg over two years at a rate of 1/4 dose less every three months.
Hi Emma, Thank you for sharing. Can you tell me what CBD Oil stands for and if it can be purchased at a health food store… Whole Foods perhaps. I have been on Olanzapine 5 mg for 9 months now and have gained 30 pounds while feeling sluggish even after sleeping 8hrs or 12 hrs.
It’s my goal to tapper off this medication ASAP!!! I wish you continuous success in your journey or goal to go off this medication as well. Take care. :)
Hi Marisa. I have been on zyprexa for many years and am now down to 1.25 mg / day. CBD oil is a type of cannabis oil, but it differs from typical cannabis products in that it is made to contain no THC, thus it doesn’t get you high and has little recreational use. But it is enormously useful when it comes to pain, anxiety, and inflammation.
The two main psychoactive components in cannabis are THC and CBD. THC gets you high. CBD is the part that helps you sleep, helps with pain, etc. Personally I benefit a lot from the healing qualities of cannabis but I hate being high. CBD is a huge healing tool.
I withdrew from zyprexa 3 months ago and still having awful symptoms. I had numerous tests done because my bladder was acting up and I could hardly urinate for a month or so, I had tests taking, nothing showed! I hope he feels better soon!
Where do I begin? I have been taking Zyprexa for almost three years. I started to take it because I was underweight and because my doctor thought I was bipolar. The drug worked fine for the first year and then my life started to change. It changes who you are and the sedation is unbearable. I have tried to quit 5 times before this one. I never make it past 14 days because the withdrawals are so severe. The nausea, vomiting, crying, the mood swings, and the horrible thoughts. This time I had to take 5 weeks off work and I still feel horrible. I pray that I can one day become myself again. I do not recommend antipsychotics to anyone who does not experience actual psychosis. HORRIBLE!
I have gone cold turkey on 20mg that I have been taking every day for over a year. I had a horrible first two days feeling like I was going to vomit, but day three I still haven’t slept for more than two hours, but not feeling like I am going to throw up. Time will tell. Now I just need to avoid the toxic advice of the ‘health’ professionals who gave it to me in the first place. Not happy with them at all.
I was on 20mg for a few weeks only. I have stopped cold turkey because of intolerable side effects. I am struggling with severe depression and anxiety as part of the withdrawal.
I have been on zyprexa for 4 years now , I’m tapering down, in my in-patient I was on 40 mg a day, now I’m only on 2.5mg. This drug helped me a lot to achieve everything, I graduated from medical school, happily married and I have 2 lovely daughters. I’m living a very fulfilling life, thanks to my Doctors, parents, wife, friends, and Zyprexa.
I’m tapering off of it now and hopefully by 3 months from now I’ll quit it for good. My advice for every one, don’t lose hope, listen to your doctor, keep your head up. Best of luck.
Were you successful at withdrawal?
Mojo, you are an exception. Zyprexa changed me radically… been off it 6 weeks. I was always cold before, now I sweat and sleep with the windows open. Had a small appetite, now I can’t stop eating. I eat like a glutton and can’t seem to stop. I gained 6 lbs. And I am fatigued all the time. It seems like my body is like a sponge and it won’t release this poison in my system.
Did anyone experience more vivid dreams or wild dreams of a creepy nature?
Yes…it increased more psychotic dreams while treated for bipolar without being bipolar [just major depression]. Tapering off of 10 mg now and taking paxil and klonopin.
Yes Carla I had the worst vivid nightmares all the time
I had the most horrible nightmares. People trying to kill me and dead bleeding bodies all around me in a lake and sinking to the bottom. Scary stuff!
Yes I have been off of 5mg zyprexa for 3 weeks. I have had the worst dreams I’ve ever had in my life in this past 3 weeks.
Yes!
was on olanzapine for over 5 years, overcame my insomnia but put on 4.5 stone. misadvised by my GP on how to withdraw from it, and went through hell, insomnia back, nausea, severe headaches, arrhythmia, confusion, severe anxiety and depression. now 4 months down the line and still experiencing nausea, insomnia and arrhythmia. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DRUG.
I wonder what your Dr advised you on how to get off your medication. The standard accepted way to get off, advised by the FDA, is 10 % reduction every 14 days. Is this the advice your Dr gave you?
I was on Olanzapine for a couple of years, I was only taking 2.5 mg but my doctor told me to cut it down to 1.25mg for two weeks and then just stop it. That was 4 months ago and I’m still nauseous and regularly vomiting, I get awful headaches and generally feel terrible. I’m getting no help from the GP. GP and pharmacist keep saying this cannot be Olanzapine withdrawal as the sickness should not last more than 2 weeks!
I have been on zyprexa and other medications like it for years. Sadly it appears for the wrong reasons. I am also experiencing the nausea and insomnia. Sadly I suspect that research on withdrawal from this drug after years of usage may not have ever really been done because of difficulty in doing so. So far I am with you that the 2 week thing doesn’t stand at all. To tell you the truth, my system in general has felt about ready to give-out and die from the withdrawal that has been lasting for months.
It definitely can be olanzapine withdrawal… I’ve been off of it for six months now and still have terrible withdrawal symptoms. I’ve lost 46 lbs, I have awful anxiety and panic attacks, constant headache, nausea, crying spells, depression and I don’t want to see or talk to anyone. I took this drug for 7 years.
I was on 7mg then weaned down to 5mg then 2.5mg and finally 1.25mg before stopping. It’s been a nightmare but it is slowly settling down. I would recommend staying away from this medication if at all possible… don’t ever start taking it. This is the second time I’ve been weaned off of it. The first time the withdrawal was so bad I had to start taking it again. This time weaned off slower and I will never take it again!!!
Vera I have successfully bean off olanzapine for 6 months now. For insomnia try getting your magnesium levels up by using magnesium oil. I was applying it all over my body 6 times a day to relieve my anxiety. Low levels can cause insomnia too. Magnesium is also good for the heart. With the insomnia try ginger tea or chewing on crystallized ginger, you can also squeeze some fresh lemon in your ginger tea, as the lemon will help detox your liver and kidneys.
Hi Vera, Oh dear, the ginger and lemon I suggested are actually to relieve your nausea.
This drug has been killing me slowly!!! On it for 6 years at 15&20mg the entire time. Almost every problem on the list of side effects, I had. I should be dead!!! Crazy heartbeats, high bad cholesterol… Around 300, gained 50 pounds, ate like a pig, pancreatitis, crazy like a loon. Even more depressed than when I started taking it.
My guts are shot now… I just had a colonoscopy and upper GI looked at and it seems I have such bad muscle spasms that my guts are now inflamed. I puke everyday. I’m anorexic and am terrified to eat anything because I now have a slow moving bowel… Constipated for 6-7 days and then such bad muscle spasms in my entire abdomen, I find it hard to breathe often and have severe yellow pencil poo when I do have a bowel movement.
My “doctor” took me off zyprexa in 2 weeks instead of tapering off of it for over a year. Now I have every major and minor withdrawal symptom. The doctors have ignored my situation completely and the ER visits are costly and unproductive, thus being treated like a desperate junkie looking for a fix.
Because it took me 4 months to figure out my illness, my doctor now claims he doesn’t even remember taking me off it, yet I did complain several times to him of my symptoms. He now claims that he doesn’t even have our discussion on record and wanted me to refresh his memory as to why I was not happy taking zyprexa. That’s kind of a no brainier, as it was literally killing me physically.
He had to look at bloodwork from years past to see that I was so sick from the beginning. I started taking it because my dad was murdered and I just couldn’t deal with life when I got put on that poison!!! He attributes all my “symptoms” as me being manic and depressed before I started taking it. He does NOT believe me about withdrawing!!! My heart, pancreas, brain, and guts are FUBARed!!!
Needing a lawyer just to get proper medical attention!!! So pissed and broken…6 months and counting!!! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD… do NOT take zyprexa!!! It is truly an evil body destroyer… and the only thing my “doctor” will admit to me is that I now have a severe serotonin depletion syndrome, his words, not mine. So I’ve been ignored for 6 months of withdrawal hell and can’t get out of bed!!! Thanks for the poison Eli Lilly!!!
You wrecked my life!!! I also have tardive dyskinesia which shows no sign of letting up! Warning… If you are withdrawing from zyprexa and go to an emergency room… or 4… show them paperwork with the withdrawal information. I didn’t even know what was happening to me, I just thought I was dying.
Perhaps the ER doctors might have treated me better than a junkie withdrawing or someone having a psych emergency and shooting me up with hardcore psych meds to treat my “problem”!!! Saint David’s ER, Austin TX… You kicked me out while I was very sick, you are NOT caring or friendly as you state!!! You are NOT a good hospital, and why would you kick someone out who is having both a psych and physical withdrawal?
If this is how you TREAT your patients with severe conditions, (heart beating irregularly, wet with sweat, temperatures, shaking uncontrollably, muscles spasming severely, and puking, amongst other problems – your treatment is criminal at best!!! Taper down properly, people, taper!!! Or better yet, stay the hell away from zyprexa all together. It’s evil and you will feel like you are dying from both the side effects and the withdrawal symptoms!!!
I was on 20mg of zyprexa for almost 5 months.. I stopped taking it and I started getting paranoid, and having panic attacks..
hiya I was recently taking olanzapine 2.5mg for anxiety/panic this is a horrible drug and I would strongly advise anyone prescribed this for anxiety/panic to stay miles away from it, i went through the withdrawals for about 6 weeks, insomnia, high anxiety, worsened panic, night sweats, etc. I’m glad I came off it though, you feel million times better without that poison in your system.
This medication made me go from 150 pounds to 183 pounds in less then 2 months. It also made me tired all of the time, plus suicidal thoughts. I did a gradual taper off. Since I have been off of this toxic drug for 4 days I have suffered really bad headaches, plus 1 night of insomnia.
It also lowered my sex drive. Since I have been off for 4 days my energy level has slowly come back and the increased appetite is slowing down. I am slowly starting to feel like myself again.