Drug interactions
Orlistat + Raltegravir
Severity: Moderate
Orlistat and Raltegravir: 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 loss of virological control in patients taking antiretrovirals, possibly through reduced absorption. Raltegravir levels could be lowered, risking treatment failure and resistance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Orlistat and Raltegravir 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 belongs to Miscellaneous; Raltegravir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Orlistat may impair gastrointestinal absorption of raltegravir; the mechanism is not firmly established.
What to do
Avoid orlistat where possible, or 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 Raltegravir
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Raltegravir Contraindicated
- Aluminum hydroxide / magnesium carbonate + Raltegravir Major
- Aluminum hydroxide / magnesium trisilicate + Raltegravir Major
- Aluminum hydroxide + Raltegravir Major
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Raltegravir Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Raltegravir 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 Orlistat with Raltegravir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Orlistat and Raltegravir 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 loss of virological control in patients taking antiretrovirals, possibly through reduced absorption. Raltegravir levels could be lowered, risking treatment failure and resistance.
How serious is the interaction between Orlistat and Raltegravir?
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, or monitor HIV RNA frequently and stop orlistat if viral load rises.
What other medicines interact with Raltegravir?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Raltegravir with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Aluminum hydroxide / magnesium carbonate, Aluminum hydroxide / magnesium trisilicate. The full list is on the Raltegravir page.
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