Skip to content

Drug interactions

Elvitegravir + Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone

Severity: Major

Elvitegravir and Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone: 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

Cobicistat-boosted elvitegravir can alter hormone concentrations, and ethinyl estradiol exposure may fall. Drospirenone exposure may rise, with a potential for hyperkalemia.

What this interaction means in plain words

Elvitegravir and Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Cobicistat inhibits CYP3A4 while elvitegravir may induce other pathways; the net effect on ethinyl estradiol is incompletely characterized.

What to do

Use an alternative or additional non-hormonal contraceptive method. If drospirenone is continued, monitor serum potassium.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Elvitegravir and Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone, 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.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Elvitegravir with Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Elvitegravir and Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone 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. Cobicistat-boosted elvitegravir can alter hormone concentrations, and ethinyl estradiol exposure may fall. Drospirenone exposure may rise, with a potential for hyperkalemia.

How serious is the interaction between Elvitegravir and Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone?

MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use an alternative or additional non-hormonal contraceptive method. If drospirenone is continued, monitor serum potassium.

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.

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.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in