Drug interactions
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Insulin glargine
Severity: Moderate
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Insulin glargine: 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 reduce glucose tolerance in some patients, which may increase insulin requirements. The effect is usually small with modern low-dose pills.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Insulin glargine 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; Insulin glargine belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Estrogen and progestin components can induce insulin resistance, opposing insulin's glucose-lowering effect.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when starting or stopping the contraceptive and adjust the insulin dose as needed. Avoid combined pills in diabetes with vascular complications.
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 Insulin glargine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel with Insulin glargine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Insulin glargine 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 reduce glucose tolerance in some patients, which may increase insulin requirements. The effect is usually small with modern low-dose pills.
How serious is the interaction between Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Insulin glargine?
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 when starting or stopping the contraceptive and adjust the insulin dose as needed. Avoid combined pills in diabetes with vascular complications.
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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