Drug interactions
Chlorpropamide + Olanzapine
Severity: Moderate
Chlorpropamide 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
Olanzapine can raise blood glucose and worsen insulin resistance, which may counteract the glucose-lowering effect of chlorpropamide. Glycaemic control may deteriorate and require treatment adjustment, especially after olanzapine is started or its dose is increased.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlorpropamide 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.
Chlorpropamide belongs to Endocrine; Olanzapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism: olanzapine-associated insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion oppose the sulfonylurea effect.
What to do
Monitor fasting glucose and HbA1c after starting or changing olanzapine, and increase the antidiabetic therapy as needed. Consider a less metabolically harmful antipsychotic if control cannot be achieved.
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 Olanzapine
Other interactions of Chlorpropamide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlorpropamide with Olanzapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlorpropamide 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. Olanzapine can raise blood glucose and worsen insulin resistance, which may counteract the glucose-lowering effect of chlorpropamide. Glycaemic control may deteriorate and require treatment adjustment, especially after olanzapine is started or its dose is increased.
How serious is the interaction between Chlorpropamide 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 fasting glucose and HbA1c after starting or changing olanzapine, and increase the antidiabetic therapy as needed. Consider a less metabolically harmful antipsychotic if control cannot be achieved.
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.
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