Drug interactions
Cyclosporin + Levonorgestrel oral / ethinylestradiol / ferrous bisglycinate
Severity: Moderate
Cyclosporin and Levonorgestrel oral / ethinylestradiol / ferrous bisglycinate: 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
Ethinylestradiol-containing oral contraceptives can reduce cyclosporine metabolism and raise its blood levels. This may increase cyclosporine toxicity, and cyclosporine may also increase hormone exposure. Estrogen-containing contraception also raises thrombotic and blood pressure concerns in transplant recipients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporin and Levonorgestrel oral / ethinylestradiol / ferrous bisglycinate 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.
Why it happens
Ethinylestradiol and progestins inhibit CYP3A4-mediated cyclosporine metabolism.
What to do
Monitor cyclosporine trough levels and renal function when starting or stopping the contraceptive. Consider a non-estrogen contraceptive method.
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 Cyclosporin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Aliskiren + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bosentan + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Dengue vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclosporin with Levonorgestrel oral / ethinylestradiol / ferrous bisglycinate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclosporin and Levonorgestrel oral / ethinylestradiol / ferrous bisglycinate 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. Ethinylestradiol-containing oral contraceptives can reduce cyclosporine metabolism and raise its blood levels. This may increase cyclosporine toxicity, and cyclosporine may also increase hormone exposure. Estrogen-containing contraception also raises thrombotic and blood pressure concerns in transplant recipients.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporin and Levonorgestrel oral / ethinylestradiol / ferrous bisglycinate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor cyclosporine trough levels and renal function when starting or stopping the contraceptive. Consider a non-estrogen contraceptive method.
What other medicines interact with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cyclosporin with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Aliskiren, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Cyclosporin page.
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