Drug interactions
Clarithromycin + Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel
Severity: Minor
Clarithromycin and Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel: 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
Clarithromycin has been theorized to lower contraceptive hormone levels by disrupting gut flora, but controlled data show no consistent loss of contraceptive efficacy. Clarithromycin is also a CYP3A4 inhibitor and may modestly raise ethinyl estradiol exposure, so contraceptive failure is unlikely.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clarithromycin and Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Clarithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Proposed reduced enterohepatic recycling of ethinyl estradiol through altered gut flora, opposed by CYP3A4 inhibition that may slightly increase hormone levels.
What to do
No routine change is needed for a short course. Counsel the patient to report vomiting or diarrhea and use backup contraception in that case.
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?
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Other interactions of Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel
- Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir Contraindicated
- Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Tranexamic acid Contraindicated
- Aminocaproic acid + Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel Major
- Amobarbital + Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel Major
- Anastrozole + Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel Major
Other interactions of Clarithromycin
- Astemizole + Clarithromycin Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Clarithromycin Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Clarithromycin Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Colchicine Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Conivaptan Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Dihydroergotamine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clarithromycin with Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Clarithromycin and Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Clarithromycin has been theorized to lower contraceptive hormone levels by disrupting gut flora, but controlled data show no consistent loss of contraceptive efficacy. Clarithromycin is also a CYP3A4 inhibitor and may modestly raise ethinyl estradiol exposure, so contraceptive failure is unlikely.
How serious is the interaction between Clarithromycin and Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel?
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 change is needed for a short course. Counsel the patient to report vomiting or diarrhea and use backup contraception in that case.
What other medicines interact with Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel with, for example, Fezolinetant, Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir, Tranexamic acid. The full list is on the Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel page.
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