Drug interactions
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Lumefantrine
Severity: Moderate
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Lumefantrine: 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
Lumefantrine is not an established clinically relevant inducer of contraceptive hormone metabolism. Labeling for artemether-lumefantrine notes that artemether may weakly induce CYP3A4 and may reduce hormonal contraceptive efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Lumefantrine 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
Possible weak CYP3A4 induction (mainly attributed to the artemether component) increases hormone metabolism.
What to do
Advise an additional barrier contraceptive method during treatment and until the next menses.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel with Lumefantrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Lumefantrine 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. Lumefantrine is not an established clinically relevant inducer of contraceptive hormone metabolism. Labeling for artemether-lumefantrine notes that artemether may weakly induce CYP3A4 and may reduce hormonal contraceptive efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Lumefantrine?
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 barrier contraceptive method during treatment and until the next menses.
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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