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Drug interactions

Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Pitolisant

Severity: Moderate

Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone and Pitolisant: 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

Pitolisant may induce CYP3A4 and can reduce the exposure of hormonal contraceptives, potentially lowering contraceptive efficacy. This effect persists for some time after pitolisant is stopped.

What this interaction means in plain words

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

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Pitolisant is a weak CYP3A4 inducer that may increase metabolism of ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone.

What to do

Advise an additional non-hormonal contraceptive method during pitolisant treatment and for at least 21 days after stopping it.

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 Pitolisant?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone and Pitolisant 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. Pitolisant may induce CYP3A4 and can reduce the exposure of hormonal contraceptives, potentially lowering contraceptive efficacy. This effect persists for some time after pitolisant is stopped.

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

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 pitolisant treatment and for at least 21 days after stopping it.

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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