Drug interactions
Insulin degludec + Olanzapine
Severity: Moderate
Insulin degludec 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 worsen glycemic control through insulin resistance and weight gain, reducing the effectiveness of insulin degludec. Higher basal insulin doses may be required.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin degludec 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.
Insulin degludec belongs to Endocrine; Olanzapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Olanzapine induces insulin resistance and metabolic disturbance, opposing the pharmacodynamic effect of insulin.
What to do
Increase glucose monitoring when olanzapine is started or adjusted, and titrate insulin degludec to glucose results. Watch for hypoglycemia if olanzapine is withdrawn.
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 Insulin degludec
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin degludec with Olanzapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin degludec 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 worsen glycemic control through insulin resistance and weight gain, reducing the effectiveness of insulin degludec. Higher basal insulin doses may be required.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin degludec 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: Increase glucose monitoring when olanzapine is started or adjusted, and titrate insulin degludec to glucose results. Watch for hypoglycemia if olanzapine is withdrawn.
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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