Drug interactions
Hydroxychloroquine + Olanzapine
Severity: Moderate
Hydroxychloroquine 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 has a relatively small QT effect, but combined with hydroxychloroquine the additive risk of arrhythmia may be clinically relevant in susceptible patients. Risk rises with electrolyte disturbance or cardiac disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxychloroquine 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.
Hydroxychloroquine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Olanzapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization causing QT prolongation.
What to do
Check a baseline ECG and electrolytes in patients with cardiac risk factors and repeat the ECG if doses are increased or other QT-prolonging drugs are added.
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 Hydroxychloroquine
- Arsenic trioxide + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Other interactions of Olanzapine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydroxychloroquine with Olanzapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydroxychloroquine 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 has a relatively small QT effect, but combined with hydroxychloroquine the additive risk of arrhythmia may be clinically relevant in susceptible patients. Risk rises with electrolyte disturbance or cardiac disease.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxychloroquine 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: Check a baseline ECG and electrolytes in patients with cardiac risk factors and repeat the ECG if doses are increased or other QT-prolonging drugs are added.
What other medicines interact with Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydroxychloroquine with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Cisapride, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Hydroxychloroquine page.
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