Skip to content

Drug interactions

Cimetidine + Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol

Severity: Minor

Cimetidine 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

Cimetidine inhibits several CYP enzymes and may modestly raise ethinyl estradiol exposure. Clinical consequences are generally small, with possible mild estrogenic effects such as nausea or breast tenderness.

What this interaction means in plain words

Cimetidine 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.

Cimetidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol belongs to Endocrine.

Evidence level: Low

Why it happens

Cimetidine inhibits CYP-mediated oxidative metabolism of ethinyl estradiol.

What to do

No routine adjustment is needed; review if estrogenic adverse effects emerge.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Cimetidine 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.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Cimetidine with Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?

MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Cimetidine 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. Cimetidine inhibits several CYP enzymes and may modestly raise ethinyl estradiol exposure. Clinical consequences are generally small, with possible mild estrogenic effects such as nausea or breast tenderness.

How serious is the interaction between Cimetidine 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 adjustment is needed; review if estrogenic adverse effects emerge.

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.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in