The Impact of Olanzapine on Liver Function

13 Comments

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  Jill Amanno says:

  April 30, 2023 at 22:27

  Olanzapine isn't some magic bullet. It's a chemical sledgehammer for brains that are already broken. The liver just gets stuck cleaning up the mess while the psychiatrists keep dosing like it's a coffee refill. You think they care about your ALT levels? Nah. They care about the next appointment slot.
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  Alyssa Hammond says:

  May 2, 2023 at 20:01

  I've been on olanzapine for 7 years. My liver enzymes have been spiking since year two. My psychiatrist told me it's 'expected' and to 'trust the process.' I've had three ER visits for jaundice, two ultrasounds, and one biopsy that said 'mild steatosis with inflammatory infiltrate.' They still won't switch me. They say 'the benefits outweigh the risks.' But what if the risks are my liver? What if the benefits are just that I'm not screaming at the ceiling anymore? I'm not a statistic. I'm a person who eats garlic and drinks green tea and still gets liver pain after 2pm. They don't tell you that the weight gain comes with a side of cirrhosis. They don't tell you that your skin turns yellow like a bad tanning bed. And when you ask for alternatives? They say 'you're lucky you're not on clozapine.' Lucky. I'm lucky. I'm so lucky my kidneys are starting to whisper.
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  Denise Wood says:

  May 3, 2023 at 02:36

  For anyone on olanzapine: get baseline LFTs, then every 3 months. If you're obese or drink even a little alcohol, cut it out. Period. Silymarin (milk thistle) has some data backing it for hepatoprotection-talk to your doc about it. Also, avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen. They stack up on the liver. And yes, your doctor should be checking bilirubin, AST, ALT, ALP-not just one or two. If they're not, find a new one. You're not being paranoid. You're being responsible.
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  Nancy N. says:

  May 3, 2023 at 15:18

  i just wanted to say thank you for posting this. i’ve been scared to ask my dr anything about my liver because i feel like they’ll think i’m crazy or overreacting. but now i’m gonna print this out and take it with me next week. you’re not alone.
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  Phillip Lee says:

  May 4, 2023 at 20:54

  The liver metabolizes 90% of psychiatric meds. The fact that we treat brain chemistry like a faucet while ignoring the sink is the real failure. We don't monitor kidneys for lithium? We do. Why not liver for olanzapine? Because it's cheaper to let people get sick than to adjust protocols. The system doesn't care. It just needs compliance.
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  Kate Calara says:

  May 5, 2023 at 17:31

  you know what they dont tell you? the FDA approved olanzapine because a pharma exec’s cousin had schizophrenia and the drug worked. the liver damage? buried in appendix D of the 1,200 page submission. and now they’re pushing it for teens. i saw a report-2019-where 3 kids under 16 died from fulminant hepatic failure on olanzapine. the article got pulled. i have the pdf. anyone want it? i’ll DM. #coverup
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  Andrew Butler says:

  May 7, 2023 at 00:27

  The hepatotoxicity profile of olanzapine is mediated through CYP1A2 and UGT1A4 isoforms, leading to oxidative stress via reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. In susceptible genotypes (e.g., UGT1A1*28 polymorphism), the glucuronidation capacity is reduced, resulting in prolonged half-life and increased risk of hepatocellular injury. You need pharmacogenomic screening before initiation. Not just 'lab work.' Actual DNA testing. Pharma doesn't want you to know this because it increases cost. And cost is the enemy of profit.
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  Varun Gupta says:

  May 7, 2023 at 06:34

  olanzapine = corporate poison 🧪💀 they want you addicted to it so you never leave the system. the liver thing? distraction. the real goal is to keep you docile. look at the stats: 70% of people on it gain weight, 40% get diabetes, 15% get liver damage. but hey, at least you're not 'crazy' anymore right? 🤡
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  Chris Jagusch says:

  May 8, 2023 at 06:56

  You people act like this is some new thing. In Nigeria, we don’t even use this drug unless it’s last resort. Our doctors know the liver can’t handle this junk. You think your insurance covers your liver? No. You think your doctor cares? No. You think the government cares? No. You’re just a number. And when your liver fails, they’ll say 'it was pre-existing.'
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  Priyamvada Toshniwal says:

  May 8, 2023 at 15:17

  I’m a nurse who works on the psych unit. I’ve seen patients on olanzapine for years. One guy had normal LFTs for 4 years-then boom, acute hepatitis. He didn’t drink, didn’t smoke, didn’t take anything else. Just olanzapine. We switched him to aripiprazole and his enzymes normalized in 6 weeks. My point? It’s not always about your habits. Sometimes it’s just the drug. Don’t be ashamed to ask for alternatives. Your liver doesn’t have a voice. You do.
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  Shivani Tipnis says:

  May 9, 2023 at 09:41

  If you’re on this med and you’re tired all the time? That’s not depression. That’s your liver screaming. Stop scrolling. Start drinking water. Eat greens. Walk 20 mins a day. Your body is trying to tell you something. Don’t ignore it because the pill makes you feel 'stable.' Stability without health is just captivity.
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  Katie Wilson says:

  May 10, 2023 at 23:27

  I’ve been on olanzapine since I was 19. I’m 32 now. My liver is fine. I do yoga. I eat clean. I get bloodwork every 3 months. It’s not the drug. It’s how you live. You can’t blame the medication for your soda habit and your 12-hour Netflix binges. Take responsibility. Or don’t. But don’t cry about it on the internet like you’re some victim. You’re not. You’re just lazy.
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  Cindy Fitrasari S. says:

  May 11, 2023 at 10:50

  I read all of this and I just… I don’t know what to feel. I’m on olanzapine. My liver enzymes were high last month. My doctor said 'it’s fine, we’ll watch it.' I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to sound like I was accusing him. But now I think… maybe I should get a second opinion. Thank you all for sharing. I feel less alone.