Skip to content

Drug interactions

Olanzapine + Vandetanib

Severity: Major

Olanzapine and Vandetanib: major 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

Vandetanib causes marked, dose-related QT prolongation with a boxed warning for torsades de pointes and sudden death. Adding olanzapine, which has a smaller QT effect, adds further risk.

What this interaction means in plain words

Olanzapine and Vandetanib can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.

Olanzapine belongs to Central Nervous System; Vandetanib belongs to Oncology.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive prolongation of cardiac repolarization through hERG potassium channel blockade.

What to do

Avoid the combination where possible and choose an antipsychotic or antiemetic with less QT liability. If unavoidable, monitor ECG and keep potassium, magnesium and calcium normal.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
  • Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
  • What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Olanzapine and Vandetanib, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Olanzapine with Vandetanib?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Olanzapine and Vandetanib can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Vandetanib causes marked, dose-related QT prolongation with a boxed warning for torsades de pointes and sudden death. Adding olanzapine, which has a smaller QT effect, adds further risk.

How serious is the interaction between Olanzapine and Vandetanib?

MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination where possible and choose an antipsychotic or antiemetic with less QT liability. If unavoidable, monitor ECG and keep potassium, magnesium and calcium normal.

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.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in