Drug interactions
Orlistat + Rufinamide
Severity: Moderate
Orlistat and Rufinamide: 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 may lower antiepileptic exposure and has been associated with breakthrough seizures. Rufinamide absorption is food-dependent, so a change in fat absorption could plausibly alter exposure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Orlistat and Rufinamide 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; Rufinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Possible altered absorption of rufinamide because of orlistat's lipase inhibition; not established.
What to do
Monitor seizure control when orlistat is started or stopped and adjust rufinamide dosing if control worsens.
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 Rufinamide
- Carbamazepine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Rufinamide Moderate
- Dronedarone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Esketamine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Rufinamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Orlistat with Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Orlistat and Rufinamide 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 may lower antiepileptic exposure and has been associated with breakthrough seizures. Rufinamide absorption is food-dependent, so a change in fat absorption could plausibly alter exposure.
How serious is the interaction between Orlistat and Rufinamide?
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 control when orlistat is started or stopped and adjust rufinamide dosing if control worsens.
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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