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Drug interactions

Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Insulin regular human

Severity: Moderate

Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Insulin regular human: 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

Oral contraceptives can impair glucose tolerance and reduce the effectiveness of regular insulin. Patients with diabetes may need higher insulin doses.

What this interaction means in plain words

Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Insulin regular human 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Pharmacodynamic antagonism due to hormone-induced insulin resistance.

What to do

Monitor blood glucose regularly and adjust the insulin dose when starting or stopping the contraceptive.

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-levonorgestrel with Insulin regular human?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Insulin regular human 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. Oral contraceptives can impair glucose tolerance and reduce the effectiveness of regular insulin. Patients with diabetes may need higher insulin doses.

How serious is the interaction between Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Insulin regular human?

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 regularly and adjust the insulin dose when starting or stopping the contraceptive.

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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