Drug interactions
Apalutamide + Levonorgestrel
Severity: Major
Apalutamide and Levonorgestrel: major 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
Apalutamide may reduce levonorgestrel concentrations, risking contraceptive failure and unintended pregnancy. This applies to oral and emergency use, and apalutamide is relevant mainly in contexts such as female partners' contraception or other off-label settings.
What this interaction means in plain words
Apalutamide and Levonorgestrel can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Apalutamide belongs to Endocrine; Levonorgestrel belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
CYP3A4 induction by apalutamide increases levonorgestrel metabolism.
What to do
Use an alternative or additional non-hormonal contraceptive method such as a copper IUD or barrier method. Continue for a period after stopping apalutamide.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Apalutamide and Levonorgestrel, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Apalutamide
- Apalutamide + Cabotegravir Contraindicated
- Apalutamide + Cobicistat Contraindicated
- Apalutamide + Doravirine Contraindicated
- Apalutamide + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
- Apalutamide + Ensitrelvir Contraindicated
- Apalutamide + Fostemsavir Contraindicated
Other interactions of Levonorgestrel
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Apalutamide with Levonorgestrel?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Apalutamide and Levonorgestrel can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Apalutamide may reduce levonorgestrel concentrations, risking contraceptive failure and unintended pregnancy. This applies to oral and emergency use, and apalutamide is relevant mainly in contexts such as female partners' contraception or other off-label settings.
How serious is the interaction between Apalutamide and Levonorgestrel?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use an alternative or additional non-hormonal contraceptive method such as a copper IUD or barrier method. Continue for a period after stopping apalutamide.
What other medicines interact with Apalutamide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Apalutamide with, for example, Cabotegravir, Cobicistat, Doravirine. The full list is on the Apalutamide 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.
