I Do Not Know What Else To Do At This Point I'm On An Anti-psychotic Called Olanzapine For A Mental ?

Posted on Tue, 4 Mar 2025

Question: Hi, I'm on an anti-psychotic called Olanzapine for a mental health disorder that I suffer from. From my experience with the medication, it has caused me to gain a considerable amount of weight. My parents recently told me I should quit the medication because of the weight gain so I did. Ever since I've been having major panic attacks, constant anxiety, this feeling that I am fading out of reality, and intense suicidal ideation. a day ago I tried going back on the medication hoping it would relieve these symptoms. But it has not helped. I am feeling extremely overwhelmed and out of control and don't know what to do. I know this is not a mental health site, but I thought I should seek the advice of a doctor on whether I should go to the hospital or not, because I do not know what else to do at this point.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

First of all I like to inform you that olanzapine takes time to have effect. Generally it takes around two to three weeks to have proper effect.

I also like to inform you that alike olanzapine, there are many other antipsychotics which does not cause weight gain. The examples include aripiprazole, haloperidol, risperidone, ziprasidone among others.

Definitely you need to go to doctor for management of the current problem. At the same time you need to discuss other options instead of olanzapine with your treating doctor.

I hope this answers you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.

Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D