Drug Interactions With Orlistat (Cont.)

 
Cyclosporine
Taking orlistat and cyclosporine at the same time may decrease the absorption of cyclosporine into your body, perhaps making it less effective. If you take cyclosporine, you should check with your healthcare provider before taking orlistat. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you take cyclosporine at least two hours before or after orlistat in order to avoid this interaction. You should not take cyclosporine until you have checked with your healthcare provider.
 
Diabetes Medications
Often, when people with diabetes lose weight, their diabetes medications need to be adjusted (typically with lower dosages). In studies, many people who took orlistat were able to decrease (or even stop) their diabetes medications. Make sure your healthcare provider is aware of your plans for weight loss with orlistat, as you may need to be monitored more closely. As you lose weight, your healthcare provider may need to decrease the dose of your diabetes medications accordingly.
 
Thyroid Medications
Weight loss can affect how much thyroid medication you need. If you take thyroid medication, make sure to tell your healthcare provider about your weight loss plans. He or she may choose to monitor you more closely during your weight loss on orlistat, adjusting the dose of your thyroid medications if necessary.
 
Vitamins
Orlistat can decrease the absorption of certain vitamins from your diet, possibly leading to a vitamin deficiency. In particular, this interaction affects fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. You should take a multivitamin once a day (at least two hours before or after orlistat) while you are on orlistat. Bedtime is usually a good time for people on the drug to take a multivitamin.
 
Warfarin
Orlistat can affect the level of vitamin K in your body, which may affect the way you respond to warfarin. Your healthcare provider may need to monitor you more closely and adjust your warfarin dosage as necessary.
 
(Drug Interactions With Orlistat Continued: Page 3)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;