Drug interactions
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Insulin degludec / insulin aspart
Severity: Moderate
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Insulin degludec / insulin aspart: 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
Combined hormonal contraceptives can impair glucose tolerance and reduce insulin sensitivity, so insulin requirements may rise. This is usually modest with modern low-dose pills.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Insulin degludec / insulin aspart 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.
Why it happens
Estrogen and progestin components cause pharmacodynamic antagonism by reducing peripheral insulin sensitivity.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more frequently when starting or stopping the contraceptive and adjust insulin doses as needed.
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 Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Insulin degludec / insulin aspart, 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 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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel with Insulin degludec / insulin aspart?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Insulin degludec / insulin aspart 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. Combined hormonal contraceptives can impair glucose tolerance and reduce insulin sensitivity, so insulin requirements may rise. This is usually modest with modern low-dose pills.
How serious is the interaction between Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Insulin degludec / insulin aspart?
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 blood glucose more frequently when starting or stopping the contraceptive and adjust insulin doses as needed.
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.
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.
