Many Seizure Medications
Some
seizure medications may cause your body to metabolize the hormones in
Ortho-Cyclen too quickly, increasing your risk of pregnancy. Ask your healthcare provider if you should use a different method of contraception while taking a
seizure medication.
Modafinil (Provigil)
Modafinil may make Ortho-Cyclen less effective, increasing your risk of pregnancy. Talk with your healthcare provider, as you may need to use a backup method of contraception.
Protease Inhibitors
Using Ortho-Cyclen together with a protease inhibitor may increase your risk of pregnancy and may make the protease inhibitor less effective. Talk with your healthcare provider before using Ortho-Cyclen with a protease inhibitor.
Selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar)
The hormones in Ortho-Cyclen may increase the level of
selegiline in your blood, increasing your risk of side effects. Your healthcare provider may need to lower your
selegiline dosage or may recommend an alternate form of contraception.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort (a commonly used herbal supplement) may decrease the effectiveness of Ortho-Cyclen, increasing the chance of pregnancy. In general, you should not take St. John's wort while using Ortho-Cyclen.
Theophylline (Uniphyl, Theocron, TheoCap, Theo-24, Elixophyllin)
Ortho-Cyclen may increase the level of
theophylline in your blood, increasing the chance of
theophylline side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking these medications together. Your theophylline dose may need to be reduced, or you may need to switch to a different method of contraception.
Final Thoughts on Ortho-Cyclen Drug Interactions
It is possible that not every drug interaction with Ortho-Cyclen was discussed in this article. Therefore, you should talk with your pharmacist or healthcare provider about the Ortho-Cyclen drug interactions that may apply to you.
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