Drug interactions
Insulin degludec / insulin aspart + Olanzapine
Severity: Moderate
Insulin degludec / insulin aspart 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 commonly causes weight gain, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, which can counteract the glucose-lowering effect of insulin. Patients may need larger insulin doses or closer glucose monitoring.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin degludec / insulin aspart 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.
Why it happens
Olanzapine-induced insulin resistance and metabolic effects oppose insulin action (pharmacodynamic antagonism).
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more frequently after starting, stopping or changing olanzapine and adjust insulin doses accordingly. Monitor weight and HbA1c periodically.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin degludec / insulin aspart with Olanzapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin degludec / insulin aspart 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 commonly causes weight gain, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, which can counteract the glucose-lowering effect of insulin. Patients may need larger insulin doses or closer glucose monitoring.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin degludec / insulin aspart 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: Monitor blood glucose more frequently after starting, stopping or changing olanzapine and adjust insulin doses accordingly. Monitor weight and HbA1c periodically.
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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