Drug interactions
Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Hemin
Severity: Moderate
Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Hemin: 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
Estrogen-containing products can precipitate or worsen acute porphyria attacks, which is the condition hemin is used to treat. Hormonal contraceptives may therefore reduce the benefit of hemin therapy or provoke further attacks.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Hemin 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.
Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol belongs to Endocrine; Hemin belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Estrogens can induce hepatic delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase, opposing the heme-mediated suppression of this enzyme that hemin provides.
What to do
Review the need for estrogen-containing contraception in patients with acute porphyria and consider a non-hormonal or progestin-only alternative. If continued, monitor porphyrin precursors and clinical response to hemin.
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 Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol
- Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Aminocaproic acid + Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol Major
- Amobarbital + Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol Major
- Anastrozole + Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol Major
- Apalutamide + Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol Major
- Atazanavir + Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol Major
Other interactions of Hemin
- Hemin + Secobarbital Major
- Argatroban + Hemin Moderate
- Bazedoxifene-conjugated estrogens + Hemin Moderate
- Dabigatran etexilate + Hemin Moderate
- Dalteparin + Hemin Moderate
- Dexamethasone-neomycin-polymyxin + Hemin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol with Hemin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Hemin 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. Estrogen-containing products can precipitate or worsen acute porphyria attacks, which is the condition hemin is used to treat. Hormonal contraceptives may therefore reduce the benefit of hemin therapy or provoke further attacks.
How serious is the interaction between Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Hemin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Review the need for estrogen-containing contraception in patients with acute porphyria and consider a non-hormonal or progestin-only alternative. If continued, monitor porphyrin precursors and clinical response to hemin.
What other medicines interact with Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol with, for example, Fezolinetant, Aminocaproic acid, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol page.
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