Xenical Drug Interactions

Xenical Drug Interactions – An Introduction

Xenical® (orlistat) could possibly interact with some of the other medicines. A few of the medicines that could cause Xenical drug interactions are:

* Amiodarone (Cordarone®)
* Medications for diabetes
* Cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
* Thyroid medications, including:
o Liotrix (Thyrolar®)
o Liothyronine (Cytomel®)
o Thyroid (Armour® Thyroid, Nature-Throid®)
o Levothyroxine (Levoxyl®, Synthroid®, Unithroid®)
* Warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®)
* Vitamins

Xenical Interactions – Explained

This part of the article explains in detail some of the possible negative interactions that could result in case Xenical is used in combination with the drugs mentioned below.

Amiodarone

Xenical could interfere in the absorption of amiodarone from your digestive tract, possibly lessening its effectiveness. Discuss with your doctor prior to using a combination of both the drugs as you might need to be closely monitored.

Medications for Diabetes

Usually, when diabetic people lose weight, the medications for their diabetes need to be modified (usually reducing the dosage). As per studies, a lot of people taking Xenical could reduce or even stop medications for their diabetes. Ensure you inform your doctor about you weight loss plans using Xenical, as you could require close monitoring. While you lose weight, your doctor might accordingly require reducing the dosage of your diabetes medications.

Cyclosporine

Taking cyclosporine and Xenical together could reduce the absorption of cyclosporine in your body, probably reducing its effectiveness. In case you take cyclosporine, you must consult with your doctor prior to taking Xenical. Your doctor might suggest that you have your cyclosporine dose at least two hours prior to or after having Xenical so as to evade this interaction.

Thyroid Medications

There have been reports of low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) in cases of people taking a combination of Xenical and thyroid medication. In case you are having Xenical, your thyroid function need to be monitored and your doctor may be required to modify your thyroid medication dosage.

Furthermore, ensure you have thyroid medications and Xenical with at least four hours of difference between the two doses. Doing so could lessen the occurrence of a drug interaction.

Warfarin

Xenical could have an effect on the vitamin k levels in your body that in turn affects the manner of your response to warfarin. Your doctor might require monitoring you more closely and modifying the dosage of warfarin as needed in case you are taking both the medications at the same time.

Vitamins

Xenical could reduce the absorption of some particular vitamins from your diet, probably resulting in a vitamin deficiency. Specifically, such interactions have an effect on fat-soluble vitamins, for example vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin E and vitamin D. you need to have a multivitamin, once in a day at least two hours prior to or after taking Xenical, when you are on this medication. Usually, bedtime is the best time to take your multivitamin.

Xenical Drug Interactions – Summing Up

It has not been possible to mention all the possible Xenical drug interactions in this article. Hence, you need to consult with your doctor or pharmacist about any particular drug interactions that might apply to you.