Drug interactions
Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Oxcarbazepine
Severity: Major
Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Oxcarbazepine: major 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
Oxcarbazepine can lower ethinyl estradiol and progestin exposure, leading to breakthrough bleeding and contraceptive failure. Pregnancies have been reported.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Oxcarbazepine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol belongs to Endocrine; Oxcarbazepine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Oxcarbazepine and its active metabolite induce CYP3A4, increasing contraceptive steroid clearance.
What to do
Advise a non-hormonal method (e.g., copper IUD) or an additional barrier method. If a combined pill is used anyway, it should not be relied on alone.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Oxcarbazepine, 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 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 Oxcarbazepine
- Cabotegravir + Oxcarbazepine Contraindicated
- Oxcarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Atazanavir + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen + Oxcarbazepine Major
- Bictegravir + Oxcarbazepine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol with Oxcarbazepine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Oxcarbazepine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Oxcarbazepine can lower ethinyl estradiol and progestin exposure, leading to breakthrough bleeding and contraceptive failure. Pregnancies have been reported.
How serious is the interaction between Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Oxcarbazepine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise a non-hormonal method (e.g., copper IUD) or an additional barrier method. If a combined pill is used anyway, it should not be relied on alone.
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.
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.
