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Drug interactions

Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Modafinil

Severity: Moderate

Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone and Modafinil: 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

Modafinil can induce CYP3A4 and may lower the exposure to ethinyl estradiol and progestins, so contraceptive efficacy may be reduced. The effect may persist for a time after modafinil is stopped, and breakthrough bleeding or unintended pregnancy may occur.

What this interaction means in plain words

Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone and Modafinil 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-drospirenone belongs to Endocrine; Modafinil belongs to Central Nervous System.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Modafinil induces CYP3A4, increasing metabolism of ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone.

What to do

Advise an additional non-hormonal contraceptive method during modafinil therapy and for about one month after stopping it, or choose a non-hormonal method such as a copper IUD.

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?

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

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone with Modafinil?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone and Modafinil 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. Modafinil can induce CYP3A4 and may lower the exposure to ethinyl estradiol and progestins, so contraceptive efficacy may be reduced. The effect may persist for a time after modafinil is stopped, and breakthrough bleeding or unintended pregnancy may occur.

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

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise an additional non-hormonal contraceptive method during modafinil therapy and for about one month after stopping it, or choose a non-hormonal method such as a copper IUD.

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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