Drug interactions
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Hemin
Severity: Moderate
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Hemin: 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
Estrogen-containing contraceptives and progestins can precipitate or worsen acute porphyria attacks, which may reduce the benefit of hemin treatment. Hormonal exposure may counteract hemin's suppression of porphyrin precursor production.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Hemin 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-levonorgestrel belongs to Endocrine; Hemin belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Sex hormones can induce hepatic delta-aminolevulinic acid synthase, opposing hemin's negative feedback on heme synthesis.
What to do
Avoid combined hormonal contraceptives in patients with acute porphyria where possible and choose a safer alternative. If used, monitor clinical response and porphyrin precursors.
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?
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Other interactions of Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel
- Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir Contraindicated
- Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Tranexamic acid Contraindicated
- Aminocaproic acid + Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel Major
- Amobarbital + Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel Major
- Anastrozole + Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel Major
Other interactions of Hemin
- Hemin + Secobarbital Major
- Argatroban + Hemin Moderate
- Bazedoxifene-conjugated estrogens + Hemin Moderate
- Dabigatran etexilate + Hemin Moderate
- Dalteparin + Hemin Moderate
- Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Hemin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel with Hemin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Hemin 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. Estrogen-containing contraceptives and progestins can precipitate or worsen acute porphyria attacks, which may reduce the benefit of hemin treatment. Hormonal exposure may counteract hemin's suppression of porphyrin precursor production.
How serious is the interaction between Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Hemin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combined hormonal contraceptives in patients with acute porphyria where possible and choose a safer alternative. If used, monitor clinical response and porphyrin precursors.
What other medicines interact with Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel with, for example, Fezolinetant, Ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir, Tranexamic acid. The full list is on the Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel page.
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