Sep 18, 2019
Tom asked
I am 19 and recently started on a 10 mg dosage of Zyprexa to assist with BPI disorder. I would like to be a social drinker with friends. Is it harmful to have alcohol while taking Zyprexa? How much time (hrs) should I wait between actually taking a dose and then consuming alcohol?
At a glance
- It is not recommended to consume alcohol while taking Zyprexa due to the increased risk of CNS effects (e.g. sedation) and orthostatic hypotension (i.e. a sudden drop in blood pressure).
Answer
The FDA-approved prescribing information for Zyprexa (olanzapine) recommends avoiding drinking alcohol while taking the drug, for a few reasons:
- Alcohol can enhance the CNS (central nervous system) effects of Zyprexa (e.g. sedation and dizziness).
- Alcohol increases the risk of 'orthostatic hypotension', a condition in which blood pressure drops suddenly when going to a sitting or standing position.
The following is what the prescribing information states about the CNS effects:
