Drug interactions
Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Voxelotor
Severity: Moderate
Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Voxelotor: 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
Voxelotor can increase exposure to sensitive CYP3A4 substrates. Ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel are CYP3A4 substrates, so their levels may rise, increasing the likelihood of estrogenic adverse effects. Clinical significance is likely modest for most patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Voxelotor 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; Voxelotor belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Voxelotor inhibits CYP3A4, reducing the metabolism of ethinyl estradiol and etonogestrel.
What to do
Monitor for estrogen-related adverse effects such as nausea, breast tenderness, headache and blood pressure rise. Consider a non-hormonal or lower-dose option if tolerability problems or thrombotic risk factors are present.
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 Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Voxelotor, 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 Voxelotor
- Amobarbital + Voxelotor Major
- Apalutamide + Voxelotor Major
- Carbamazepine + Voxelotor Major
- Cyclosporin + Voxelotor Major
- Efavirenz + Voxelotor Major
- Enzalutamide + Voxelotor Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol with Voxelotor?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Voxelotor 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. Voxelotor can increase exposure to sensitive CYP3A4 substrates. Ethinyl estradiol and desogestrel are CYP3A4 substrates, so their levels may rise, increasing the likelihood of estrogenic adverse effects. Clinical significance is likely modest for most patients.
How serious is the interaction between Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol and Voxelotor?
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 for estrogen-related adverse effects such as nausea, breast tenderness, headache and blood pressure rise. Consider a non-hormonal or lower-dose option if tolerability problems or thrombotic risk factors are present.
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.
