Drug interactions
Felbamate + Orlistat
Severity: Moderate
Felbamate 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 associated with breakthrough seizures in patients taking antiepileptics, probably through lowered drug exposure. Data for felbamate specifically are lacking.
What this interaction means in plain words
Felbamate 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.
Felbamate belongs to Central Nervous System; Orlistat belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Possible reduced intestinal absorption of the antiepileptic due to orlistat's lipase inhibition and fat malabsorption; not established for felbamate.
What to do
Monitor seizure frequency when orlistat is started or stopped, and check felbamate levels if control worsens. Consider an alternative weight-loss approach in 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 Orlistat
- Cyclosporine + Orlistat Major
- Cyclosporin + Orlistat Major
- Orlistat + Triheptanoin Major
- Amiodarone + Orlistat Moderate
- Beta carotene + Orlistat Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Orlistat Moderate
Other interactions of Felbamate
- Felbamate + Ulipristal Major
- Amisulpride + Felbamate Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Felbamate Moderate
- Apalutamide + Felbamate Moderate
- Asenapine + Felbamate Moderate
- Bosentan + Felbamate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Felbamate with Orlistat?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Felbamate 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 associated with breakthrough seizures in patients taking antiepileptics, probably through lowered drug exposure. Data for felbamate specifically are lacking.
How serious is the interaction between Felbamate 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 seizure frequency when orlistat is started or stopped, and check felbamate levels if control worsens. Consider an alternative weight-loss approach in poorly controlled epilepsy.
What other medicines interact with Orlistat?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Orlistat with, for example, Cyclosporine, Cyclosporin, Triheptanoin. The full list is on the Orlistat page.
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