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Drug Interactions With Loestrin
Topamax, Provigil, and Viracept are some of the medications that can interfere with Loestrin. Drug interactions such as these can lead to increased risk of pregnancy and side effects, among other things. Therefore, before taking the birth control pill, it's important to talk with your healthcare provider about the drug interactions with Loestrin that may apply to you.
Drug Interactions With Loestrin: An Overview
Loestrin® (norethindrone/ethinyl estradiol) can potentially interact with several other medicines. Many of these interactions can be severe enough to cause accidental pregnancy, and a backup method of birth control may be recommended.(Loestrin is equivalent to Junel™ and Microgestin® birth control pills. The information in this article also applies to both of these medications.)
Many medications interact with Loestrin, so it is a good idea to make sure that all of your healthcare providers know you are on Loestrin. Any time you start a new medication, check with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with Loestrin. Some of the medicines that may lead to Loestrin drug interactions include:
- Aminoglutethimide (Cytadren®)
- Antibiotics
- Aprepitant (Emend®)
- Barbiturate medications, such as:
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
- Dexamethasone (Decadron®)
- Modafinil (Provigil®)
- Numerous seizure medications, such as:
- Carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro™, Tegretol®)
- Felbamate (Felbatol®)
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal®)
- Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®)
- Phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®)
- Topiramate (Topamax®)
- Protease inhibitors, such as:
- Amprenavir (Agenerase®)
- Atazanavir (Reyataz®)
- Fosamprenavir (Lexiva®)
- Indinavir (Crixivan®)
- Nelfinavir (Viracept®)
- Ritonavir (Norvir®)
- Selegiline (Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Zelapar®)
- St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
- Theophylline (Uniphyl®, Theocron®, TheoCap®, Theo-24®, Elixophyllin®).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD