Drug interactions
Olanzapine + Oxazepam
Severity: Moderate
Olanzapine and Oxazepam: 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
Oxazepam and olanzapine together can cause additive sedation, dizziness and orthostatic hypotension. Labeling for olanzapine advises caution with benzodiazepines, particularly with injectable olanzapine where cardiorespiratory depression has been reported.
What this interaction means in plain words
Olanzapine and Oxazepam 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 belongs to Central Nervous System; Oxazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and hypotension from GABA-A potentiation plus olanzapine antagonism at histamine, muscarinic and alpha-adrenergic receptors.
What to do
Monitor sedation, blood pressure and respiratory status, and avoid giving intramuscular olanzapine concurrently with parenteral benzodiazepines. Use the lowest effective oral doses.
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 Oxazepam
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Oxazepam Contraindicated
- Oxazepam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Oxazepam Major
- Amobarbital + Oxazepam Major
- Baclofen + Oxazepam Major
- Belladonna and opium + Oxazepam Major
Other interactions of Olanzapine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Olanzapine with Oxazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Olanzapine and Oxazepam 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. Oxazepam and olanzapine together can cause additive sedation, dizziness and orthostatic hypotension. Labeling for olanzapine advises caution with benzodiazepines, particularly with injectable olanzapine where cardiorespiratory depression has been reported.
How serious is the interaction between Olanzapine and Oxazepam?
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 sedation, blood pressure and respiratory status, and avoid giving intramuscular olanzapine concurrently with parenteral benzodiazepines. Use the lowest effective oral doses.
What other medicines interact with Oxazepam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Oxazepam with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Oxazepam page.
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