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Note: The resources listed in this guide are not intended to be fully systematic or complete, nor does inclusion here imply any endorsement or recommendation by The University of Maryland or the Center for Integrative Medicine. The University of Maryland and the Center for Integrative Medicine make no warranties, express or implied, about the value or utility for any purpose of the information and resources contained herein.

Possible Interactions with: Beta-Carotene

Interactions/Depletions:

People taking the following medications should avoid beta-carotene supplements:

Cholestyramine, Colestipol

Cholestyramine, a medication used to lower cholesterol, can lower blood concentrations of dietary beta carotene by 30 - 40 %, according to a 3-year study in Sweden. Colestipol, a cholesterol-lowering medication similar to cholestyramin, may also reduce beta-carotene levels.

Orlistat

You should not take beta-carotene with orlistat, a weight loss medication, because orlistat can reduce the absorption of beta-carotene by as much as 30 %, thereby reducing the amount of this nutrient in the body. If you must take both orlistat and beta-carotene supplements, you should separate the time between taking the medication and the supplements by at least 2 hours.

Other

In addition to these medications, mineral oil (used to treat constipation) may lower blood concentrations of beta-carotene and ongoing use of alcohol may interact with beta-carotene, increasing the likelihood of liver damage.

Drug Interactions:

Cholesterol-lowering MedicationsOrlistat

Alternative Names:

b-carotene; Beta-Carotene; Betacarotenum; Provitamin A; Trans-Beta-Carotene

Reviewed last on: 11/9/2006
Ernest B. Hawkins, MS, BSPharm, RPh, Health Education Resources; and Steven D. Ehrlich, N.M.D., private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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