Drug interactions
Meperidine + Olanzapine
Severity: Moderate
Meperidine 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 adds to the sedation, orthostatic hypotension and respiratory depression of meperidine. Serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome is rare but reported with such combinations.
What this interaction means in plain words
Meperidine 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.
Meperidine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Olanzapine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression with possible serotonergic and dopaminergic overlap.
What to do
Start with reduced opioid doses and monitor sedation, respiration and blood pressure. Watch for hyperthermia, rigidity or clonus.
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 Meperidine
- Alvimopan + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Olanzapine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Meperidine with Olanzapine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Meperidine 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 adds to the sedation, orthostatic hypotension and respiratory depression of meperidine. Serotonin syndrome or neuroleptic malignant syndrome is rare but reported with such combinations.
How serious is the interaction between Meperidine 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 with reduced opioid doses and monitor sedation, respiration and blood pressure. Watch for hyperthermia, rigidity or clonus.
What other medicines interact with Meperidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Meperidine with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue. The full list is on the Meperidine page.
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