Drug interactions
Clonidine + Olanzapine / samidorphan
Severity: Moderate
Clonidine and Olanzapine / samidorphan: 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 cause orthostatic hypotension and may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of clonidine. This can cause dizziness, syncope or falls, particularly at treatment initiation or dose increases.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clonidine and Olanzapine / samidorphan 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.
Why it happens
Additive hypotension from olanzapine alpha-1 adrenergic antagonism and clonidine central sympatholysis.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and orthostatic symptoms, particularly during initiation and titration, and reduce clonidine dose if hypotension develops.
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 Clonidine
- Acebutolol + Clonidine Major
- Amifostine + Clonidine Major
- Amiodarone + Clonidine Major
- Amoxapine + Clonidine Major
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Clonidine Major
- Atenolol + Clonidine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clonidine with Olanzapine / samidorphan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clonidine and Olanzapine / samidorphan 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 cause orthostatic hypotension and may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of clonidine. This can cause dizziness, syncope or falls, particularly at treatment initiation or dose increases.
How serious is the interaction between Clonidine and Olanzapine / samidorphan?
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 blood pressure and orthostatic symptoms, particularly during initiation and titration, and reduce clonidine dose if hypotension develops.
What other medicines interact with Clonidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Clonidine with, for example, Acebutolol, Amifostine, Amiodarone. The full list is on the Clonidine page.
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