Drug interactions
Cyclosporine + Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone
Severity: Moderate
Cyclosporine and Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone: 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
Ethinyl estradiol may raise cyclosporine concentrations, likely by reducing its metabolism, which increases the risk of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Drospirenone can raise potassium, and in combination with cyclosporine, which also causes hyperkalemia, this adds to the risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporine and Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone 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
Estrogen may inhibit CYP3A4-mediated cyclosporine metabolism, and drospirenone's antimineralocorticoid effect adds to cyclosporine-induced hyperkalemia.
What to do
Monitor cyclosporine trough levels, renal function and serum potassium, adjusting the cyclosporine dose as needed.
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 Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir Contraindicated
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir Contraindicated
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Tranexamic acid Contraindicated
- Aminocaproic acid + Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone Major
- Amobarbital + Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclosporine with Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclosporine and Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone 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. Ethinyl estradiol may raise cyclosporine concentrations, likely by reducing its metabolism, which increases the risk of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Drospirenone can raise potassium, and in combination with cyclosporine, which also causes hyperkalemia, this adds to the risk.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporine and Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone?
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, renal function and serum potassium, adjusting the cyclosporine dose as needed.
What other medicines interact with Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone with, for example, Fezolinetant, Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir, Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir. The full list is on the Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone page.
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