Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between enzalutamide and ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Major

ethinyl estradiol enzalutamide

Applies to: ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin and enzalutamide

ADDITIONAL CONTRACEPTION RECOMMENDED: Coadministration with potent inducers of CYP450 3A4 may reduce the efficacy of contraceptive hormones as estrogens and progestins have been shown to be partially metabolized by CYP450 3A4. In a pharmacokinetic study of 28 healthy women, the systemic exposures (AUCs) of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone decreased by 64% and 60%, respectively when coadministered with the potent CYP450 3A4 inducer rifampin.

MANAGEMENT: For patients receiving hormonal contraceptives, additional or alternative non-hormonal contraceptive methods may be advisable during concomitant therapy with potent CYP450 3A4 inducers and patients should be advised of the risk of breakthrough bleeding and unintended pregnancy. Additional or alternative non-hormonal contraceptive methods may be recommended beyond discontinuation of the CYP450 3A4 inducer(s). Individual product labeling should be consulted for specific time frames. Although breakthrough bleeding is not necessarily indicative of low ethinyl estradiol serum levels or increased risk of ovulation, some clinicians suggest that women who experience breakthrough bleeding during enzyme-inducing therapy may be prescribed an increased dose of ethinyl estradiol above 50 mcg daily by combining more than one formulation of contraceptive pill if necessary. For emergency contraception in patients who have used an hepatic enzyme inducer in the past 4 weeks, a non-hormonal emergency contraceptive (e.g., copper intrauterine device) is considered preferable. If this is not possible, some authorities recommend that the usual dose of levonorgestrel (1.5 mg) should be doubled to 3 mg and taken as a single dose as soon as possible (within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse). However, there are no data on efficacy, compliance, or side effects of this regimen. Intrauterine systems are unlikely to be significantly affected because of their local action. Input from a gynecologist or similar expert on adequate contraception, including emergency contraception, should be sought as needed.

References (8)
  1. Szoka PR, Edgren RA (1988) "Drug interactions with oral contraceptives: compilation and analysis of an adverse experience report database." Fertil Steril, 49, s31-8
  2. Back DJ, Orme ML (1990) "Pharmacokinetic drug interactions with oral contraceptives." Clin Pharmacokinet, 18, p. 472-84
  3. D'Arcy PF (1986) "Drug interactions with oral contraceptives." Drug Intell Clin Pharm, 20, p. 353-62
  4. (2024) "Product Information. Azurette (desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol)." Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Inc
  5. (2023) "Product Information. Apri 21 (desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol)." Teva UK Ltd
  6. (2024) "Product Information. Mercilon (desogestrel-ethinylestradiol)." Organon Pharma (UK) Ltd
  7. (2025) "Product Information. Marvelon (desogestrel-ethinylestradiol)." Organon (Australia) Pty Ltd
  8. LeBel M, Masson E, Guilbert E, Colborn D, Paquet F, Allard S, Vallee F, Narang PK (1998) "Effects of rifabutin and rifampicin on the pharmacokinetics of ethinylestradiol and norethindrone" J Clin Pharmacol, 38, p. 1042-50
Major

norelgestromin enzalutamide

Applies to: ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin and enzalutamide

ADDITIONAL CONTRACEPTION RECOMMENDED: Coadministration with potent inducers of CYP450 3A4 may reduce the efficacy of contraceptive hormones as estrogens and progestins have been shown to be partially metabolized by CYP450 3A4. In a pharmacokinetic study of 28 healthy women, the systemic exposures (AUCs) of ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone decreased by 64% and 60%, respectively when coadministered with the potent CYP450 3A4 inducer rifampin.

MANAGEMENT: For patients receiving hormonal contraceptives, additional or alternative non-hormonal contraceptive methods may be advisable during concomitant therapy with potent CYP450 3A4 inducers and patients should be advised of the risk of breakthrough bleeding and unintended pregnancy. Additional or alternative non-hormonal contraceptive methods may be recommended beyond discontinuation of the CYP450 3A4 inducer(s). Individual product labeling should be consulted for specific time frames. Although breakthrough bleeding is not necessarily indicative of low ethinyl estradiol serum levels or increased risk of ovulation, some clinicians suggest that women who experience breakthrough bleeding during enzyme-inducing therapy may be prescribed an increased dose of ethinyl estradiol above 50 mcg daily by combining more than one formulation of contraceptive pill if necessary. For emergency contraception in patients who have used an hepatic enzyme inducer in the past 4 weeks, a non-hormonal emergency contraceptive (e.g., copper intrauterine device) is considered preferable. If this is not possible, some authorities recommend that the usual dose of levonorgestrel (1.5 mg) should be doubled to 3 mg and taken as a single dose as soon as possible (within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse). However, there are no data on efficacy, compliance, or side effects of this regimen. Intrauterine systems are unlikely to be significantly affected because of their local action. Input from a gynecologist or similar expert on adequate contraception, including emergency contraception, should be sought as needed.

References (8)
  1. Szoka PR, Edgren RA (1988) "Drug interactions with oral contraceptives: compilation and analysis of an adverse experience report database." Fertil Steril, 49, s31-8
  2. Back DJ, Orme ML (1990) "Pharmacokinetic drug interactions with oral contraceptives." Clin Pharmacokinet, 18, p. 472-84
  3. D'Arcy PF (1986) "Drug interactions with oral contraceptives." Drug Intell Clin Pharm, 20, p. 353-62
  4. (2024) "Product Information. Azurette (desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol)." Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Inc
  5. (2023) "Product Information. Apri 21 (desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol)." Teva UK Ltd
  6. (2024) "Product Information. Mercilon (desogestrel-ethinylestradiol)." Organon Pharma (UK) Ltd
  7. (2025) "Product Information. Marvelon (desogestrel-ethinylestradiol)." Organon (Australia) Pty Ltd
  8. LeBel M, Masson E, Guilbert E, Colborn D, Paquet F, Allard S, Vallee F, Narang PK (1998) "Effects of rifabutin and rifampicin on the pharmacokinetics of ethinylestradiol and norethindrone" J Clin Pharmacol, 38, p. 1042-50

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

ethinyl estradiol food

Applies to: ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin

MONITOR: Coadministration of ethinyl estradiol may increase the plasma concentrations of drugs that are primarily metabolized by CYP450 1A2. In a study of 30 healthy volunteers administered the CYP450 1A2 substrate tizanidine, the systemic exposure (AUC) of tizanidine was 3.9 times greater in women using an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol.

MANAGEMENT: Patients should be monitored for increased adverse effects of the CYP450 1A2 substrate during concomitant use with ethinyl estradiol. Product labeling for the specific CYP450 1A2 substrate should be consulted for additional recommendations.

References (1)
  1. Granfors MT, Backman JT, Laitila J, Neuvonen PJ (2005) "Oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and gestodene markedly increase plasma concentrations and effects of tizanidine by inhibiting cytochrome P450 1A2." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 78, p. 400-11
Minor

ethinyl estradiol food

Applies to: ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin

Coadministration with grapefruit juice may increase the bioavailability of oral estrogens. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall induced by certain compounds present in grapefruits. In a small, randomized, crossover study, the administration of ethinyl estradiol with grapefruit juice (compared to herbal tea) increased peak plasma drug concentration (Cmax) by 37% and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) by 28%. Based on these findings, grapefruit juice is unlikely to affect the overall safety profile of ethinyl estradiol. However, as with other drug interactions involving grapefruit juice, the pharmacokinetic alterations are subject to a high degree of interpatient variability. Also, the effect on other estrogens has not been studied.

References (2)
  1. Weber A, Jager R, Borner A, et al. (1996) "Can grapefruit juice influence ethinyl estradiol bioavailability?" Contraception, 53, p. 41-7
  2. Schubert W, Eriksson U, Edgar B, Cullberg G, Hedner T (1995) "Flavonoids in grapefruit juice inhibit the in vitro hepatic metabolism of 17B-estradiol." Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet, 20, p. 219-24
Minor

ethinyl estradiol food

Applies to: ethinyl estradiol / norelgestromin

The central nervous system effects and blood levels of ethanol may be increased in patients taking oral contraceptives, although data are lacking and reports are contradictory. The mechanism may be due to enzyme inhibition. Consider counseling women about this interaction which is unpredictable.

References (1)
  1. Hobbes J, Boutagy J, Shenfield GM (1985) "Interactions between ethanol and oral contraceptive steroids." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 38, p. 371-80

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.


Report options

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.