Drug interactions
Colesevelam + Norethisterone
Severity: Moderate
Colesevelam and Norethisterone: moderate 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
Colesevelam can bind hormonal contraceptive components in the gut and reduce their absorption. The effect is smaller if doses are separated, so timing matters for contraceptive reliability.
What this interaction means in plain words
Colesevelam and Norethisterone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Colesevelam belongs to Endocrine; Norethisterone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Colesevelam is a bile acid sequestrant that binds norethisterone in the gastrointestinal tract and reduces absorption.
What to do
Take the contraceptive at least 4 hours before colesevelam. Monitor for breakthrough bleeding.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Norethisterone
- Acitretin + Norethisterone Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Norethisterone Major
- Apalutamide + Norethisterone Major
- Belzutifan + Norethisterone Major
- Bosentan + Norethisterone Major
- Brigatinib + Norethisterone Major
Other interactions of Colesevelam
- Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide + Colesevelam Moderate
- Amlodipine-olmesartan + Colesevelam Moderate
- Chenodiol + Colesevelam Moderate
- Cholic acid + Colesevelam Moderate
- Colesevelam + Cyclosporin Moderate
- Colesevelam + Glibenclamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Colesevelam with Norethisterone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Colesevelam and Norethisterone can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Colesevelam can bind hormonal contraceptive components in the gut and reduce their absorption. The effect is smaller if doses are separated, so timing matters for contraceptive reliability.
How serious is the interaction between Colesevelam and Norethisterone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Take the contraceptive at least 4 hours before colesevelam. Monitor for breakthrough bleeding.
What other medicines interact with Norethisterone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Norethisterone with, for example, Acitretin, Amobarbital, Apalutamide. The full list is on the Norethisterone page.
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