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Drug Interactions between Kyleena and nevirapine

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

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

levonorgestrel nevirapine

Applies to: Kyleena (levonorgestrel) and nevirapine

ADDITIONAL CONTRACEPTION RECOMMENDED: Coadministration with nevirapine may decrease the plasma concentrations of contraceptive hormones, although the available evidence is conflicting. The proposed mechanism is nevirapine-medicated induction of CYP450 3A4, the isoenzyme partially responsible for the metabolic clearance of sex hormones and other steroids. In ten HIV-positive subjects, nevirapine (200 mg once a day for 2 weeks followed by 200 mg twice a day for 2 weeks) decreased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of ethinyl estradiol (administered as ethinyl estradiol-norethindrone 0.035 mg-1 mg) by 20% compared to administration of the oral contraceptive alone. The AUC and peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of norethindrone decreased by 19% and 16%, respectively. In a different study, levonorgestrel concentrations were found to be 1.4-4.9-fold higher when used in combination with nevirapine. Furthermore, clinical outcomes studies have not found a significant difference in the rate of pregnancy among women using hormonal contraceptives on nevirapine-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) and those not receiving ART.

MANAGEMENT: Women using hormonal contraceptives should be advised of the risk of breakthrough bleeding and unintended pregnancy during concomitant therapy with nevirapine. Some authorities do not suggest any dose adjustments for hormonal contraceptives when used in combination with nevirapine. Alternative or additional methods of birth control should be considered during and for at least two weeks after short-term and 4 weeks after long-term (greater than 4 weeks) nevirapine therapy if an interaction is suspected. 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. No precautions or recommendations are available for women using hormone-releasing intrauterine systems, but a significant interaction with these systems is thought to be unlikely due to their local action.

References (10)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Viramune (nevirapine)." Boehringer-Ingelheim
  2. Back D, Gibbons S, Khoo S (2003) "Pharmacokinetic drug interactions with nevirapine." J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 34 Suppl 1, S8-14
  3. Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (2016) "FSRH Clinical Guidance: Drug Interactions with Hormonal Contraception. file:///C:/Users/df033684/Downloads/ceuguidancedruginteractionshormonal.pdf"
  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. Gulick RM, Lane HC, Pau AK, Agwu A, Arduino RC, Badowski ME, Baker J, Beckwith C, Bedimo RJ, Bruce RD, Chander G, Cocohoba JM, Cu-Uvin S, daar es (2025) Guidelines for the use of antiretroviral agents in adults and adolescents with HIV https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/sites/default/files/guidelines/documents/adult-adolescent-arv/guidelines-adult-adolescent-arv.pdf
  9. Scarsi KK, Darin KM, Nakalema S, Back DJ, Byakika-Kibwika P, Else LJ, Penchala SD, Buzibye A, Cohn SE, Merry C, Lamorde M (2015) "Unintended pregnancies observed with combined use of the levonorgestrel contraceptive implant and efavirenz-based antiretroviral therapy: A three-arm pharmacokinetic evaluation over 48 Weeks" Clin Infect Dis, 62, p. 675-82
  10. Pyra M, Heffron R, Mugo NR, Nanda K, Thomas KK, Celum CL, Kourtis AP, Were E, Rees H, Bukusi E, Baeten JM (2015) "Effectiveness of hormonal contraception in HIV-infected women using antiretroviral therapy: A prospective study" AIDS, 29, p. 2353-9

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

levonorgestrel food

Applies to: Kyleena (levonorgestrel)

MONITOR: Grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of orally administered drugs that are substrates of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme. The proposed mechanism is inhibition of CYP450 3A4-mediated first-pass metabolism in the gut wall by certain compounds present in grapefruit. Because grapefruit juice inhibits primarily intestinal rather than hepatic CYP450 3A4, the magnitude of interaction is greatest for those drugs that undergo significant presystemic metabolism by CYP450 3A4 (i.e., drugs with low oral bioavailability). In general, the effect of grapefruit juice is concentration-, dose- and preparation-dependent, and can vary widely among brands. Certain preparations of grapefruit juice (e.g., high dose, double strength) have sometimes demonstrated potent inhibition of CYP450 3A4, while other preparations (e.g., low dose, single strength) have typically demonstrated moderate inhibition. Pharmacokinetic interactions involving grapefruit juice are also subject to a high degree of interpatient variability, thus the extent to which a given patient may be affected is difficult to predict.

MANAGEMENT: Patients who regularly consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice should be monitored for adverse effects and altered plasma concentrations of drugs that undergo significant presystemic metabolism by CYP450 3A4. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice should be avoided if an interaction is suspected. Orange juice is not expected to interact with these drugs.

References (32)
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  2. Jonkman JH, Sollie FA, Sauter R, Steinijans VW (1991) "The influence of caffeine on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of theophylline." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 49, p. 248-55
  3. Bailey DG, Arnold JM, Munoz C, Spence JD (1993) "Grapefruit juice--felodipine interaction: mechanism, predictability, and effect of naringin." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 53, p. 637-42
  4. Bailey DG, Arnold JMO, Spence JD (1994) "Grapefruit juice and drugs - how significant is the interaction." Clin Pharmacokinet, 26, p. 91-8
  5. Sigusch H, Hippius M, Henschel L, Kaufmann K, Hoffmann A (1994) "Influence of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of a slow release nifedipine formulation." Pharmazie, 49, p. 522-4
  6. Bailey DG, Arnold JM, Strong HA, Munoz C, Spence JD (1993) "Effect of grapefruit juice and naringin on nisoldipine pharmacokinetics." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 54, p. 589-94
  7. Yamreudeewong W, Henann NE, Fazio A, Lower DL, Cassidy TG (1995) "Drug-food interactions in clinical practice." J Fam Pract, 40, p. 376-84
  8. (1995) "Grapefruit juice interactions with drugs." Med Lett Drugs Ther, 37, p. 73-4
  9. Hukkinen SK, Varhe A, Olkkola KT, Neuvonen PJ (1995) "Plasma concentrations of triazolam are increased by concomitant ingestion of grapefruit juice." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 58, p. 127-31
  10. Min DI, Ku YM, Geraets DR, Lee HC (1996) "Effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of quinidine in healthy volunteers." J Clin Pharmacol, 36, p. 469-76
  11. Majeed A, Kareem A (1996) "Effect of grapefruit juice on cyclosporine pharmacokinetics." Pediatr Nephrol, 10, p. 395
  12. Clifford CP, Adams DA, Murray S, Taylor GW, Wilkins MR, Boobis AR, Davies DS (1996) "Pharmacokinetic and cardiac effects of terfenadine after inhibition of its metabolism by grapefruit juice." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 42, p662
  13. Josefsson M, Zackrisson AL, Ahlner J (1996) "Effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of amlodipine in healthy volunteers." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 51, p. 189-93
  14. Kantola T, Kivisto KT, Neuvonen PJ (1998) "Grapefruit juice greatly increases serum concentrations of lovastatin and lovastatin acid." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 63, p. 397-402
  15. Ozdemir M, Aktan Y, Boydag BS, Cingi MI, Musmul A (1998) "Interaction between grapefruit juice and diazepam in humans." Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet, 23, p. 55-9
  16. Bailey DG, Malcolm J, Arnold O, Spence JD (1998) "Grapefruit juice-drug interactions." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 46, p. 101-10
  17. Bailey DG, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (1998) "Grapefruit juice felodipine interaction: Effect of naringin and 6',7'-dihydroxybergamottin in humans." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 64, p. 248-56
  18. Garg SK, Kumar N, Bhargava VK, Prabhakar SK (1998) "Effect of grapefruit juice on carbamazepine bioavailability in patients with epilepsy." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 64, p. 286-8
  19. Lilja JJ, Kivisto KT, Neuvonen PJ (1998) "Grapefruit juice-simvastatin interaction: Effect on serum concentrations of simvastatin, simvastatin acid, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 64, p. 477-83
  20. Fuhr U, Maier-Bruggemann A, Blume H, et al. (1998) "Grapefruit juice increases oral nimodipine bioavailability." Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther, 36, p. 126-32
  21. Lilja JJ, Kivisto KT, Neuvonen PJ (1999) "Grapefruit juice increases serum concentrations of atorvastatin and has no effect on pravastatin." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 66, p. 118-27
  22. Eagling VA, Profit L, Back DJ (1999) "Inhibition of the CYP3A4-mediated metabolism and P-glycoprotein-mediated transport of the HIV-I protease inhibitor saquinavir by grapefruit juice components." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 48, p. 543-52
  23. Damkier P, Hansen LL, Brosen K (1999) "Effect of diclofenac, disulfiram, itraconazole, grapefruit juice and erythromycin on the pharmacokinetics of quinidine." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 48, p. 829-38
  24. Lee AJ, Chan WK, Harralson AF, Buffum J, Bui BCC (1999) "The effects of grapefruit juice on sertraline metabolism: An in vitro and in vivo study." Clin Ther, 21, p. 1890-9
  25. Dresser GK, Spence JD, Bailey DG (2000) "Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic consequences and clinical relevance of cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition." Clin Pharmacokinet, 38, p. 41-57
  26. Gunston GD, Mehta U (2000) "Potentially serious drug interactions with grapefruit juice." S Afr Med J, 90, p. 41
  27. Takanaga H, Ohnishi A, Maatsuo H, et al. (2000) "Pharmacokinetic analysis of felodipine-grapefruit juice interaction based on an irreversible enzyme inhibition model." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 49, p. 49-58
  28. Libersa CC, Brique SA, Motte KB, et al. (2000) "Dramatic inhibition of amiodarone metabolism induced by grapefruit juice." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 49, p. 373-8
  29. Bailey DG, Dresser GR, Kreeft JH, Munoz C, Freeman DJ, Bend JR (2000) "Grapefruit-felodipine interaction: Effect of unprocessed fruit and probable active ingredients." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 68, p. 468-77
  30. Zaidenstein R, Soback S, Gips M, Avni B, Dishi V, Weissgarten Y, Golik A, Scapa E (2001) "Effect of grapefruit juice on the pharmacokinetics of losartan and its active metabolite E3174 in healthy volunteers." Ther Drug Monit, 23, p. 369-73
  31. Sato J, Nakata H, Owada E, Kikuta T, Umetsu M, Ito K (1993) "Influence of usual intake of dietary caffeine on single-dose kinetics of theophylline in healthy human subjects." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 44, p. 295-8
  32. Flanagan D (2005) "Understanding the grapefruit-drug interaction." Gen Dent, 53, 282-5; quiz 286
Minor

levonorgestrel food

Applies to: Kyleena (levonorgestrel)

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.

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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.

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