Drug interactions
Olanzapine + Pholcodine
Severity: Moderate
Olanzapine and Pholcodine: 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
Pholcodine is an opioid antitussive and, together with olanzapine, may produce additive drowsiness and central nervous system depression. This can impair psychomotor performance and, rarely, breathing, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Olanzapine and Pholcodine 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
Additive central nervous system depression from opioid receptor agonism and olanzapine's antihistaminic and antidopaminergic sedative effects.
What to do
Use the lowest effective pholcodine dose for the shortest time and warn patients about driving and operating machinery. Monitor for excessive sedation or respiratory depression.
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 Olanzapine with Pholcodine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Olanzapine and Pholcodine 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. Pholcodine is an opioid antitussive and, together with olanzapine, may produce additive drowsiness and central nervous system depression. This can impair psychomotor performance and, rarely, breathing, especially in elderly or debilitated patients.
How serious is the interaction between Olanzapine and Pholcodine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective pholcodine dose for the shortest time and warn patients about driving and operating machinery. Monitor for excessive sedation or respiratory depression.
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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