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Drug interactions

Butorphanol + Olanzapine

Severity: Moderate

Butorphanol 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 are sedating, and combined use can cause excessive drowsiness, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension and respiratory depression. Parenteral olanzapine with opioids warrants particular care.

What this interaction means in plain words

Butorphanol 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.

Butorphanol belongs to Musculoskeletal; Olanzapine belongs to Central Nervous System.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive CNS depression from opioid receptor agonism and antihistaminic, antimuscarinic and antiadrenergic effects of olanzapine.

What to do

Monitor sedation, blood pressure and respiration, and begin with reduced doses. Separate parenteral doses and avoid concurrent IM olanzapine with high-dose opioids if possible.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Butorphanol with Olanzapine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butorphanol 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 are sedating, and combined use can cause excessive drowsiness, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension and respiratory depression. Parenteral olanzapine with opioids warrants particular care.

How serious is the interaction between Butorphanol 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: Monitor sedation, blood pressure and respiration, and begin with reduced doses. Separate parenteral doses and avoid concurrent IM olanzapine with high-dose opioids if possible.

What other medicines interact with Butorphanol?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Butorphanol with, for example, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Butorphanol page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

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