Drug interactions
Arformoterol + Olanzapine
Severity: Moderate
Arformoterol 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 olanzapine and beta-agonists such as arformoterol can prolong the QTc interval and cause tachycardia, and beta-agonists may also lower serum potassium. Together they may increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmia, especially in patients with cardiac disease or electrolyte disturbance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Arformoterol 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.
Arformoterol belongs to Respiratory; Olanzapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QTc prolongation, with beta-agonist-induced hypokalemia and tachycardia as contributing factors.
What to do
Check baseline ECG and potassium and magnesium in patients with cardiac risk factors, and correct electrolyte abnormalities. Report palpitations or syncope promptly.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Arformoterol and Olanzapine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Olanzapine
Other interactions of Arformoterol
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Arformoterol with Olanzapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Arformoterol 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 olanzapine and beta-agonists such as arformoterol can prolong the QTc interval and cause tachycardia, and beta-agonists may also lower serum potassium. Together they may increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmia, especially in patients with cardiac disease or electrolyte disturbance.
How serious is the interaction between Arformoterol 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: Check baseline ECG and potassium and magnesium in patients with cardiac risk factors, and correct electrolyte abnormalities. Report palpitations or syncope promptly.
What other medicines interact with Olanzapine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Olanzapine with, for example, Amisulpride, Amoxapine, Apomorphine. The full list is on the Olanzapine page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
