Drug interactions
Didanosine + Orlistat
Severity: Moderate
Didanosine 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
Loss of virological control has been reported in HIV patients taking orlistat with antiretrovirals. Orlistat may reduce absorption of antiretroviral drugs, risking subtherapeutic levels and resistance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Didanosine 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.
Didanosine belongs to Anti Virals; Orlistat belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Orlistat's lipase inhibition and altered intestinal fat content may reduce absorption of the antiretroviral; the exact mechanism is not established.
What to do
Avoid orlistat where possible in patients on antiretroviral therapy. If used, monitor HIV RNA frequently and stop orlistat if viral load rises.
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 Didanosine
- Didanosine + Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Hydroxycarbamide Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Ribavirin Contraindicated
- Didanosine + Stavudine Contraindicated
- Allopurinol + Didanosine Major
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Didanosine Major
Other interactions of Orlistat
- Cyclosporin + Orlistat Major
- Orlistat + Triheptanoin Major
- Amiodarone + Orlistat Moderate
- Beta carotene + Orlistat Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Orlistat Moderate
- Cholecalciferol + Orlistat Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Didanosine with Orlistat?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Didanosine 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. Loss of virological control has been reported in HIV patients taking orlistat with antiretrovirals. Orlistat may reduce absorption of antiretroviral drugs, risking subtherapeutic levels and resistance.
How serious is the interaction between Didanosine 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: Avoid orlistat where possible in patients on antiretroviral therapy. If used, monitor HIV RNA frequently and stop orlistat if viral load rises.
What other medicines interact with Didanosine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Didanosine with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Hydroxycarbamide, Ribavirin. The full list is on the Didanosine page.
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