Drug interactions
Emtricitabine + Orlistat
Severity: Moderate
Emtricitabine 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 antiretroviral absorption, risking subtherapeutic levels and resistance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Emtricitabine 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.
Emtricitabine belongs to Anti Virals; Orlistat belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Orlistat may reduce intestinal 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 Emtricitabine
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Emtricitabine Contraindicated
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Emtricitabine Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Emtricitabine Major
- Elivaldogene autotemcel + Emtricitabine Major
- Emtricitabine + Lamivudine Major
- Emtricitabine + Lovotibeglogene autotemcel Major
Other interactions of Orlistat
- Cyclosporine + Orlistat Major
- Cyclosporin + Orlistat Major
- Orlistat + Triheptanoin Major
- Amiodarone + Orlistat Moderate
- Beta carotene + Orlistat Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Orlistat Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Emtricitabine with Orlistat?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Emtricitabine 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 antiretroviral absorption, risking subtherapeutic levels and resistance.
How serious is the interaction between Emtricitabine 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 Emtricitabine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Emtricitabine with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Atidarsagene autotemcel, Betibeglogene autotemcel. The full list is on the Emtricitabine page.
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