{"id":626628,"date":"2024-02-08T09:05:45","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T14:05:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=626628"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:10:33","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:10:33","slug":"olanzapine-interactions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/olanzapine-interactions\/","title":{"rendered":"Olanzapine interactions to avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Olanzapine<\/span><\/a>, the generic drug of <\/span>Zyprexa<\/span><\/a>, is a second-generation antipsychotic medication. While it can be used to manage many mental health conditions, including <\/span>bipolar disorder<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>schizophrenia<\/span><\/a>, it also plays a role in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. <\/span><\/p>\n

Olanzapine interacts with medications that impact the central nervous system, like antidepressants, other medications that lower the seizure threshold, and medications with anticholinergic effects. Olanzapine can prolong the QTc interval, and combining it with similar medications can have additive effects that can result in serious medical conditions. <\/span><\/p>\n

When olanzapine is added to a medication regimen, consulting a healthcare professional such as a pharmacist to review for possible drug-drug interactions is critical. It is important to be aware of olanzapine’s interactions with other drugs and foods that can increase the risk of or worsen side effects, and always to take olanzapine per the doctor’s instructions.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Olanzapine drug interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Olanzapine interacts with medications that cause similar side effects, which can range from additive QTc prolongation and potentially deadly risks to the possibility of anticholinergic delirium and serotonin syndrome. Some of these effects can result from concomitant prescription medications, but some interacting medications can also be obtained over-the-counter (OTC). Whenever initiating olanzapine, it’s critical to give your healthcare provider a complete list of your medications so that a thorough medication reconciliation can be performed to identify any possible interactions. <\/span><\/p>\n

QT-prolonging, CYP3A4 inhibiting medications<\/span><\/h3>\n

Olanzapine treatment may enhance the QTc-prolonging effect of other QTc-prolonging medications with a single dose. The QT interval is the part of an electrocardiogram (EKG) report that represents the time it takes the heart to contract and recover. <\/span>Long QT syndromes <\/span><\/a>can be inherited. This occurs as the result of an issue with the heart’s electrical conduction such that it takes longer than normal to recharge between heartbeats, which is due to an issue with ion channels or the flow of ions (sodium, calcium, potassium, and chloride) in and out of heart muscle cells to produce electrical activity, resulting in an irregular heartbeat. Medications can also cause long QT syndrome. When the QT interval is prolonged, the risk for irregular heartbeats like ventricular tachycardias is increased, which can result in cardiac arrest and sudden death due to the heart’s inability to pump blood throughout the body effectively. The risk of QT prolongation is increased with additional risk factors, including older adults, female gender, low levels of potassium or magnesium, and a medical history of heart problems. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the most concerning QTc-prolonging medications that may interact with olanzapine:<\/span><\/p>\n

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics<\/span><\/a>, including:<\/span><\/p>\n