Drug interactions
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Rufinamide
Severity: Moderate
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Rufinamide: 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
Rufinamide is a weak CYP3A4 inducer and may lower exposure to ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. This can reduce contraceptive efficacy and increase the risk of breakthrough bleeding or unintended pregnancy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Rufinamide 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; Rufinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Weak induction of CYP3A4 increases metabolic clearance of the contraceptive steroids.
What to do
Advise an additional or alternative non-hormonal contraceptive method during rufinamide therapy. Consider a higher-dose or non-oral method and review efficacy if breakthrough bleeding occurs.
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 Rufinamide, 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 14 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
Other interactions of Rufinamide
- Carbamazepine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Rufinamide Moderate
- Dronedarone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Esketamine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-norgestimate + Rufinamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel with Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Rufinamide 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. Rufinamide is a weak CYP3A4 inducer and may lower exposure to ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. This can reduce contraceptive efficacy and increase the risk of breakthrough bleeding or unintended pregnancy.
How serious is the interaction between Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Rufinamide?
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 or alternative non-hormonal contraceptive method during rufinamide therapy. Consider a higher-dose or non-oral method and review efficacy if breakthrough bleeding occurs.
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.
