Drug interactions
Carbamazepine + Orlistat
Severity: Moderate
Carbamazepine and Orlistat: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Orlistat has been linked to reduced antiepileptic levels and breakthrough seizures in case reports, including with carbamazepine. Loss of seizure control could be serious.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbamazepine and Orlistat can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Carbamazepine belongs to Central Nervous System; Orlistat belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Orlistat may reduce carbamazepine absorption from the gut; the mechanism is not firmly established.
What to do
Monitor carbamazepine levels and seizure frequency when orlistat is started or stopped. Consider avoiding orlistat in patients with poorly controlled epilepsy.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Carbamazepine
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Cabotegravir + Carbamazepine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Delamanid Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Dienogest / estradiol valerate Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Doravirine Contraindicated
- Carbamazepine + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
Other interactions of Orlistat
- Cyclosporine + Orlistat Major
- Cyclosporin + Orlistat Major
- Orlistat + Triheptanoin Major
- Amiodarone + Orlistat Moderate
- Beta carotene + Orlistat Moderate
- Cholecalciferol + Orlistat Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbamazepine with Orlistat?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbamazepine and Orlistat can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Orlistat has been linked to reduced antiepileptic levels and breakthrough seizures in case reports, including with carbamazepine. Loss of seizure control could be serious.
How serious is the interaction between Carbamazepine and Orlistat?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor carbamazepine levels and seizure frequency when orlistat is started or stopped. Consider avoiding orlistat in patients with poorly controlled epilepsy.
What other medicines interact with Carbamazepine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Carbamazepine with, for example, Artemether / lumefantrine, Cabotegravir, Delamanid. The full list is on the Carbamazepine page.
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