The Summary of Product Characteristics for Orlistat (Xenical)® has been updated by the manufacturers to draw attention to an interaction with the contraceptive pill.
The interaction is not a direct drug-drug interaction however it seems that indirectly orlistat can reduce the availability of contraceptives. Additional contraceptive methods are recommended especially in cases of severe diarrhoea.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of this interaction and provide this information to women of childbearing age, preferably before treatment is initiated.