Alcohol and Olanzapine interaction
Alcohol and Olanzapine: the Olanzapine prescribing label flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
Curated guidance for Alcohol
Combining alcohol with sedating medicines (opioids, benzodiazepines, sleep medicines, muscle relaxants) can cause dangerous drowsiness, slowed breathing, and overdose.
From the Olanzapine (Zyprexa) label · effective 2026-02-11
Alcohol: May potentiate orthostatic hypotension.
CNS Acting Drugs: Caution should be used when taken in combination with other centrally acting drugs and alcohol.
The co-administration of alcohol (i.e., ethanol) with olanzapine potentiated the orthostatic hypotension observed with olanzapine [see Drug Interactions ( 7.2 )] .
Potential for Olanzapine to Affect Other Drugs CNS Acting Drugs — Given the primary CNS effects of olanzapine, caution should be used when olanzapine is taken in combination with other centrally acting drugs and alcohol.
Alcohol — Multiple doses of olanzapine did not influence the kinetics of ethanol [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] .
Taking more than these two? Interactions stack. Check your whole list at once; it stays in your browser.
Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.