Drug interactions
Lorazepam + Olanzapine
Severity: Moderate
Lorazepam 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
Both drugs depress the central nervous system, so combined use can produce more drowsiness, impaired psychomotor performance and orthostatic hypotension than either alone. Parenteral olanzapine given with a parenteral benzodiazepine has been associated with excessive sedation and cardiorespiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lorazepam 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.
Lorazepam belongs to Central Nervous System; Olanzapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from GABA-A potentiation by lorazepam and antihistaminic, antiadrenergic and antidopaminergic effects of olanzapine.
What to do
Avoid giving intramuscular olanzapine and parenteral lorazepam at the same time; if both are needed, separate doses and monitor sedation, blood pressure and respiration. Warn patients about driving and other hazardous tasks.
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 Lorazepam
Other interactions of Olanzapine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lorazepam with Olanzapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lorazepam 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. Both drugs depress the central nervous system, so combined use can produce more drowsiness, impaired psychomotor performance and orthostatic hypotension than either alone. Parenteral olanzapine given with a parenteral benzodiazepine has been associated with excessive sedation and cardiorespiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Lorazepam 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: Avoid giving intramuscular olanzapine and parenteral lorazepam at the same time; if both are needed, separate doses and monitor sedation, blood pressure and respiration. Warn patients about driving and other hazardous tasks.
What other medicines interact with Lorazepam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lorazepam with, for example, Alfentanil, Alprazolam, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Lorazepam page.
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