Cholecalciferol with Orlistat Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Cholecalciferol
- Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
- Fosamax® Plus D (as a combination product containing alendronate, cholecalciferol)
- Tri-Vi-Sol® (as a combination product containing Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D)
- Viactiv® Calcium Plus Vitamin D (as a combination product containing calcium, vitamin D)
Brand Names Associated with Orlistat
- Alli®
- Orlistat
- Xenical®
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Nov 13, 2023
Interaction Effect
Decreased systemic cholecalciferol (vitamin D) concentrations
Interaction Summary
Orlistat may reduce the levels of vitamin D (cholecalciferol).
Severity
Minor
Onset
Delayed
Evidence
Probable
How To Manage Interaction
Vitamin D (cholecalciferol) levels should be monitored in adolescents, especially African-American adolescents, taking orlistat independent of whether they are receiving vitamin supplementations.
Mechanism Of Interaction
Reduced vitamin D absorption
Literature Reports
A) Orlistat significantly reduced the serum levels of vitamin D (cholecalciferol) following one month of therapy in 17 obese adolescents despite vitamin supplementations. In an open-label pilot study, subjects received orlistat 120 milligrams three times daily and a daily multivitamin supplement. Individualized diets were prescribed and all subjects participated in a 12 week psychoeducational program. After one, three and six months, serum cholecalciferol levels were measured. At one month, cholecalciferol levels were reduced to 9.9 +/- 2.6 nanograms/ml (ng/ml) from a baseline of 12.7 +/- 4.4 ng/ml. Levels at three and six months were no longer significantly different from baseline. A comparison of serum levels of African-American and Caucasian subjects showed African-Americans to have a significantly lower cholecalciferol level at baseline (p less than 0.03), at one month (p less than 0.002), and six months (p less than 0.03) than Caucasians. Closer assessment of the one-month data showed that the lower vitamin D concentrations of African-Americans partially attributed to the overall results of this study .
Cholecalciferol Overview
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Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is used as a dietary supplement when the amount of vitamin D in the diet is not enough. People most at risk for vitamin D deficiency are older adults, breastfed infants, people with dark skin, obese people, and those with limited sun exposure, or gastrointestinal disease (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines) such as Crohn's disease or celiac disease. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is also used along with calcium to prevent and treat bone diseases such as rickets (softening and weakening of bones in children caused by lack of vitamin D), osteomalacia (softening and weakening of bones in adults caused by lack of vitamin D), and osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily). Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is in a class of medications called vitamin D analogs. Cholecalciferol is needed by the body for healthy bones, muscles, nerves, and to support the immune system. It works by helping the body to use more of the calcium found in foods or supplements.
Orlistat Overview
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Orlistat (prescription and nonprescription) is used with an individualized low-calorie, low-fat diet and exercise program to help people lose weight. Prescription orlistat is used in overweight people who may also have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease. Orlistat is also used after weight-loss to help people keep from gaining back that weight. Orlistat is in a class of medications called lipase inhibitors. It works by preventing some of the fat in foods eaten from being absorbed in the intestines. This unabsorbed fat is then removed from the body in the stool.
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Definitions
Severity Categories
Contraindicated
These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.
Major
This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.
Moderate
This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.
Minor
While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.
Onset
Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.
Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.
Evidence
Level of documentation of the interaction.
Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.
How To Manage The Interaction
Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.
It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.
Mechanism Of Interaction
The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.
Where Does Our Information Come From?
Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:
The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used.
Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.
The information posted is fact-checked by HelloPharmacist clinicians and reviewed quarterly.