Drug interactions
Desvenlafaxine + Olanzapine / samidorphan
Severity: Moderate
Desvenlafaxine 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 is sedating and can cause orthostatic hypotension, and desvenlafaxine can cause dizziness and somnolence in some patients. Together they may increase CNS effects and the likelihood of falls. Desvenlafaxine is commonly used with antipsychotics, so this is typically manageable.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desvenlafaxine 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 CNS and hemodynamic effects of the two drugs.
What to do
Monitor for sedation and orthostatic blood pressure changes, particularly at initiation and with dose increases. Counsel patients to rise slowly.
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 Desvenlafaxine and Olanzapine / samidorphan, 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 Desvenlafaxine
- Desvenlafaxine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Safinamide Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desvenlafaxine with Olanzapine / samidorphan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desvenlafaxine 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 is sedating and can cause orthostatic hypotension, and desvenlafaxine can cause dizziness and somnolence in some patients. Together they may increase CNS effects and the likelihood of falls. Desvenlafaxine is commonly used with antipsychotics, so this is typically manageable.
How serious is the interaction between Desvenlafaxine 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 for sedation and orthostatic blood pressure changes, particularly at initiation and with dose increases. Counsel patients to rise slowly.
What other medicines interact with Desvenlafaxine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Desvenlafaxine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Desvenlafaxine 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.
