Indication-specific dosing for chitin, chitosan ascorbate, deacetylated chitin biopolymer chitosan in combination, frequency-based adverse effects, comprehensive interactions, contraindications, pregnancy & lactation schedules, and cost information.

Sections

Sections Chitosan
Suggested Dosing
Suggested Uses
Interactions
Adverse Effects
Warnings
Pregnancy
Pharmacology

Suggested Dosing

Renal Failure with Chronic Hemodialysis

1.35 g PO TID

Topical

Dosage varies

Suggested Uses

Hypercholesterolemia, periodontitis (topical use), hemodialysis (chronic), weight loss, Crohn's disease

Interaction Checker

Enter a drug name and Chitosan

No Results

No Interactions Found

Interactions Found

Contraindicated

Serious - Use Alternative

Significant - Monitor Closely

Minor

All Interactions Sort By:

Contraindicated (0)

Serious - Use Alternative (0)

Monitor Closely (12)

antithrombin alfa
chitosan increases effects of antithrombin alfa by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
antithrombin III
chitosan increases effects of antithrombin III by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
argatroban
chitosan increases effects of argatroban by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
bemiparin
chitosan increases effects of bemiparin by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
bivalirudin
chitosan increases effects of bivalirudin by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
dabigatran
chitosan increases effects of dabigatran by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
dalteparin
chitosan increases effects of dalteparin by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
enoxaparin
chitosan increases effects of enoxaparin by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
fondaparinux
chitosan increases effects of fondaparinux by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
heparin
chitosan increases effects of heparin by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
phenindione
chitosan increases effects of phenindione by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
protamine
chitosan increases effects of protamine by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.

Minor (2)

vitamin A
chitosan decreases levels of vitamin A by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown.
vitamin E
chitosan decreases levels of vitamin E by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown.

antithrombin alfa
Monitor Closely (1)chitosan increases effects of antithrombin alfa by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
antithrombin III
Monitor Closely (1)chitosan increases effects of antithrombin III by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
argatroban
Monitor Closely (1)chitosan increases effects of argatroban by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
bemiparin
Monitor Closely (1)chitosan increases effects of bemiparin by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
bivalirudin
Monitor Closely (1)chitosan increases effects of bivalirudin by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
dabigatran
Monitor Closely (1)chitosan increases effects of dabigatran by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
dalteparin
Monitor Closely (1)chitosan increases effects of dalteparin by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
enoxaparin
Monitor Closely (1)chitosan increases effects of enoxaparin by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
fondaparinux
Monitor Closely (1)chitosan increases effects of fondaparinux by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
heparin
Monitor Closely (1)chitosan increases effects of heparin by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
phenindione
Monitor Closely (1)chitosan increases effects of phenindione by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
protamine
Monitor Closely (1)chitosan increases effects of protamine by Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Comment: Chitosan can decrease GI absorption of vitamin K, enhancing anticoagulant effects.
vitamin A
Minor (1)chitosan decreases levels of vitamin A by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown.
vitamin E
Minor (1)chitosan decreases levels of vitamin E by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown.

Adverse Effects

None reported

Contraindications

None reported

Cautions

Shellfish allergy

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category: avoid use

Lactation: avoid use

Pregnancy Categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

Pharmacology

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

Mechanism of Action

Crustacean shell derivative; prevents enterohepatic recirculation of cholesterol

Topical: protects periodontal pockets from oxygen, allowing tissue proliferation

Medscape prescription drug monographs are based on FDA-approved labeling information, unless otherwise noted, combined with additional data derived from primary medical literature.

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