Drug interactions
Cyclosporin + Levonorgestrel
Severity: Moderate
Cyclosporin and Levonorgestrel: 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
Hormonal contraceptives may increase cyclosporine concentrations, and cyclosporine may increase progestin exposure. Increased cyclosporine levels could cause toxicity.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporin and Levonorgestrel 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.
Cyclosporin belongs to Miscellaneous; Levonorgestrel belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism, mainly by ethinylestradiol-containing products, and reduced progestin clearance by cyclosporine.
What to do
Monitor cyclosporine trough levels and renal function when starting or stopping hormonal contraception. Adjust the cyclosporine dose according to levels.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Cyclosporin 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 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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
Other interactions of Levonorgestrel
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclosporin with Levonorgestrel?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclosporin and Levonorgestrel 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. Hormonal contraceptives may increase cyclosporine concentrations, and cyclosporine may increase progestin exposure. Increased cyclosporine levels could cause toxicity.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporin and Levonorgestrel?
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 hormonal contraception. Adjust the cyclosporine dose according to levels.
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.
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.
