Olanzapine

[coz]

I was just wondering if there is anyone else taking Olanzapine and trying to lose weight? Since being on Olanzapine I just want to eat sweet food all the time. Although I've always enjoyed sweet stuff I don't seem to have any interest in savoury food at all and have to force myself to have sensible meals when I'd much rather have a big piece of cake! I have slowly gained about 1.5 stone since being on the drug and just can't tell if it is the drug making me like this or if I'm just comfort eating. It would be really good to hear other peoples experiences. I've been on Olanzapine for about 8 months and find it really difficult to sleep without taking it and think I'll be on it for some time yet. I'm also taking venlafaxine but don't know if this has any effect on weight gain. Any tips on weight loss would be much appreciated. x

[tears]

Dear Coz,

I havent been on olanzapine myself but i know from working with people who are taking olanzapine that it can cause weight gain for some people. Its a difficult situation to be in as it can be a really effective drug. Olnazapine is more associated with weight gain than venlafaxine. The advice always given is to eat lots of veg, fruit etc but i know thats hard. I too am on drugs that cause weight gain and i have piled on a stone and a half. I dont wisht to change my drugs though as im frightened of getting ill again.

There are other antipsychotics, other than olanzapine , which are less associated with weight gain which you could consider if its really getting to you.

Tears
xx

[Bookwormprincess]

Hi Coz,
I was on Olanzipine for months and gained loads of weight! A total of 3.5 stone. I couldn't lose weight till I came off all anti-psychotics. It just gave me a huge appetite and I was always hungry on it, which was not normal for me. Part of it may have been comfort eating, but when I came off it, I didn't eat as much so I am inclined to blame the drug. Eventually I did manage to control my eating whilst still on it, but it didn't stop me gaining weight.

It's biggest side-effect is known to be weight gain, so I would ask your doctor to put you on something else. In the end I settled with Quetiapine (can't spell?). I still slept ok on that, but did end up with sleeping tablets as well for a while.

Olanzipine is very effective at stopping pyschosis quickly (stopped mine in 2 weeks) but can cause lots of weight gain if taken for a long time.

Hope you get it sorted.

[winegirl]

Hi Coz

Yes weight gain alone is a common side effect, as is increased appetite! Bit of a double blow really. It is in A Typical anti-psychotic, and they normally prescribe it when a conventional antipsychotic is not working. Have you been on any other med before this one??

Also, it has been known for hyperglyacaeima to start whilst on this med - in which case you should report you sugar cravings to your gp/consultant just to rule that out.

Hope some of that helps??

WG x

[Corinne]

Thank you all for the advice. I think I will ask my psychiatrist for an alternative to Olanzapine when I see him next. I can't believe that I now weigh the same as when I was full term - that's so upsetting. It doesn't help that I've just eaten a big bag of revels!