If you take some medications or have certain health conditions, orlistat may not work. These conditions and medications may also cause orlistat to be less effective or potentially unsafe. Due to this, you should always speak to your doctor if you take any medication or have other medical conditions.
Contraindications
Orlistat is not suitable and should not be taken if you:
- are under 18
- are breastfeeding
- have cholestasis, which is a liver disorder
- have problems absorbing nutrients, known as chronic malabsorption syndrome
- are allergic to orlistat or any other ingredients in the capsules
Orlistat is also not recommended if you are pregnant or think you are pregnant. If you have any other health conditions, speak to your doctor before taking orlistat.
Medications that interact with orlistat
Some medications can interact with orlistat, meaning the medication will not work as it should. These include:
- HIV treatment
- medication for depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions
- some heart medications, such as amiodarone
- a diabetic medication called acarbose
- warfarin and some other blood thinning drugs
- ciclosporin, which is used for rheumatoid arthritis
- medications for hypothyroidism, such as levothyroxine and iodine salts
- epilepsy medication
You should speak to your doctor if you take any medications, as some doses may need to be adjusted when taking orlistat. This includes diabetic medication, as your dose may be based on your current weight.
If you are taking the contraceptive pill, you should speak to your doctor about other forms of contraception or use a condom. Orlistat can occasionally cause severe diarrhoea, which can affect how the oral contraceptive pill works.
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