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
Low thyroid function (
hypothyroidism) has been reported in people taking orlistat and a thyroid medication. While you are taking orlistat, your thyroid function should be monitored, and your healthcare provider may need to adjust the dose of your thyroid medication.
Additionally, be sure to take orlistat and thyroid medications at least four hours apart, as this may reduce the chance of a drug interaction.
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.
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