Drug interactions
Orlistat + Zidovudine
Severity: Moderate
Orlistat and Zidovudine: 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 virologic control in patients on antiretroviral therapy, probably because of reduced absorption of the antiretrovirals. This could allow viral rebound and resistance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Orlistat and Zidovudine 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; Zidovudine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Possible reduced antiretroviral absorption caused by orlistat's fat-malabsorptive effect; mechanism not firmly established.
What to do
Monitor HIV RNA closely if orlistat is used, and stop orlistat if viral load rises. Prefer other weight management options in patients on antiretrovirals.
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 Zidovudine
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Stavudine + Zidovudine Contraindicated
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Zidovudine Major
- Carboplatin + Zidovudine Major
- Cisplatin + Zidovudine 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 Zidovudine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Orlistat and Zidovudine 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 virologic control in patients on antiretroviral therapy, probably because of reduced absorption of the antiretrovirals. This could allow viral rebound and resistance.
How serious is the interaction between Orlistat and Zidovudine?
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 HIV RNA closely if orlistat is used, and stop orlistat if viral load rises. Prefer other weight management options in patients on antiretrovirals.
What other medicines interact with Zidovudine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zidovudine with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Stavudine, Atidarsagene autotemcel. The full list is on the Zidovudine page.
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