Is Alli Safe With Blood Pressure Medicine?

Obesity and excessive weight have become a major focus of health-related issues in the United States. Poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles have led to a growing prevalence toward weight gain. Excessive weight increases the risk of developing heart disease, metabolic disorders and other diseases. In addition, obesity has a negative impact on lifestyle and mental health.

Orlistat

Originally approved for the treatment of obesity, orlistat was manufactured and marketed under the brand name Xenical by Roche Pharmaceuticals. In 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a lower-strength formulation that could be purchased over the counter without a prescription. The low dose formulation is marketed under the brand name Alli by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals.

How Orlistat Works

Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor that works by blocking the enzymes involved in the digestion of fats and lipids. By blocking the digestion of fat into smaller molecules, fat and lipids stay within the intestines and are excreted instead of being absorbed into the body. As a result, the caloric deficit that occurs promotes weight loss.

Low Potential for Interactions With Blood Pressure Medications

Since obesity is also a risk factor for the development of hypertension, many overweight patients may be taking prescription medications to control high blood pressure. Since orlistat's mechanism of action is confined to the digestive tract, it is not absorbed into the bloodstream and has low potential for causing physiological, chemical or metabolic interactions with other medications. According to the Alli website, Alli has not been shown to interfere with any anti-hypertensive medications.

Significance

It appears that there is low risk of interaction between orlistat and blood pressure medications. However, although no interactions have been conclusively determined, it does not mean that the possibility does not exist. Patients should speak to a physician with concerns regarding the use of orlistat and potential drug interactions.