Drug interactions
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Selegiline
Severity: Moderate
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Selegiline: 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 have been shown to substantially raise selegiline exposure by reducing its metabolism. Higher levels can diminish MAO-B selectivity and increase the risk of adverse effects such as hypotension, dyskinesia and, at high exposure, hypertensive or serotonergic reactions.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Selegiline 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; Selegiline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Inhibition of selegiline N-demethylation (CYP-mediated) by ethinyl estradiol increases selegiline concentrations.
What to do
Use the lowest effective selegiline dose and monitor blood pressure and for dopaminergic adverse effects; consider a non-hormonal 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?
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 Selegiline, 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
Other interactions of Selegiline
- Amitriptyline + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine long-acting + Selegiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel with Selegiline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Selegiline 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 have been shown to substantially raise selegiline exposure by reducing its metabolism. Higher levels can diminish MAO-B selectivity and increase the risk of adverse effects such as hypotension, dyskinesia and, at high exposure, hypertensive or serotonergic reactions.
How serious is the interaction between Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Selegiline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective selegiline dose and monitor blood pressure and for dopaminergic adverse effects; consider a non-hormonal 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.
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.
