Drug interactions
Alprazolam + Olanzapine
Severity: Moderate
Alprazolam and Olanzapine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both agents cause sedation, so the combination may lead to marked drowsiness, hypotension and impaired psychomotor function. Parenteral olanzapine given with benzodiazepines has been associated with excessive sedation and cardiorespiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Alprazolam and Olanzapine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Alprazolam belongs to Central Nervous System; Olanzapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression via GABA-A enhancement and antagonism of histamine, muscarinic and other receptors by olanzapine.
What to do
Avoid giving intramuscular olanzapine close to a benzodiazepine and monitor sedation, blood pressure and respiration if both are needed. Use low oral doses and counsel on driving.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Alprazolam
- Alprazolam + Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Itraconazole Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Ketoconazole Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Levoketoconazole Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Alprazolam Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Alprazolam with Olanzapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Alprazolam and Olanzapine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both agents cause sedation, so the combination may lead to marked drowsiness, hypotension and impaired psychomotor function. Parenteral olanzapine given with benzodiazepines has been associated with excessive sedation and cardiorespiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Alprazolam and Olanzapine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid giving intramuscular olanzapine close to a benzodiazepine and monitor sedation, blood pressure and respiration if both are needed. Use low oral doses and counsel on driving.
What other medicines interact with Alprazolam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Alprazolam with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole. The full list is on the Alprazolam page.
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