Drug interactions
Amoxicillin + Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol
Severity: Minor
Amoxicillin and Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Amoxicillin has been proposed to reduce contraceptive efficacy, but controlled pharmacokinetic studies show no meaningful decrease in hormone levels. The risk of contraceptive failure appears very low.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amoxicillin and Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Amoxicillin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Proposed disruption of gut flora and enterohepatic recycling of ethinyl estradiol, not confirmed clinically.
What to do
No routine additional contraception is needed, but advise extra precautions if vomiting or severe diarrhea occurs and the pill is not absorbed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Amoxicillin and Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol
- Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Aminocaproic acid + Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol Major
- Amobarbital + Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol Major
- Anastrozole + Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol Major
- Apalutamide + Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol Major
- Atazanavir + Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol Major
Other interactions of Amoxicillin
- Amoxicillin + Methotrexate Major
- Amoxicillin + Bcg vaccine live Moderate
- Amoxicillin + Cholera vaccine Moderate
- Amoxicillin + Eravacycline Moderate
- Amoxicillin + Microbiota Moderate
- Amoxicillin + Mycophenolate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amoxicillin with Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Amoxicillin and Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Amoxicillin has been proposed to reduce contraceptive efficacy, but controlled pharmacokinetic studies show no meaningful decrease in hormone levels. The risk of contraceptive failure appears very low.
How serious is the interaction between Amoxicillin and Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine additional contraception is needed, but advise extra precautions if vomiting or severe diarrhea occurs and the pill is not absorbed.
What other medicines interact with Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol with, for example, Fezolinetant, Aminocaproic acid, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
