Drug interactions
Hydromorphone + Olanzapine
Severity: Moderate
Hydromorphone 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 is sedating and can cause orthostatic hypotension. With hydromorphone these effects add up, increasing the risk of oversedation, hypotension, falls and respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydromorphone 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.
Hydromorphone belongs to Musculoskeletal; Olanzapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and hypotensive effects.
What to do
Start at low doses and monitor for sedation and blood pressure changes, particularly in elderly patients. Reduce the dose of either drug if excessive drowsiness occurs.
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 Hydromorphone
- Alvimopan + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Olanzapine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydromorphone with Olanzapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydromorphone 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 is sedating and can cause orthostatic hypotension. With hydromorphone these effects add up, increasing the risk of oversedation, hypotension, falls and respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Hydromorphone 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: Start at low doses and monitor for sedation and blood pressure changes, particularly in elderly patients. Reduce the dose of either drug if excessive drowsiness occurs.
What other medicines interact with Hydromorphone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydromorphone with, for example, Alvimopan, Bupropion-naltrexone, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Hydromorphone page.
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