Drug interactions
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Somatropin
Severity: Moderate
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Somatropin: 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 estrogens reduce hepatic production of IGF-1 in response to growth hormone, so patients on oral estrogen may show a blunted response to somatropin. Higher somatropin doses are often needed in women taking oral estrogen than in those not taking it.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Somatropin 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; Somatropin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Oral estrogen's first-pass hepatic effect suppresses growth hormone signaling and IGF-1 generation.
What to do
Monitor serum IGF-1 and clinical response, and titrate the somatropin dose accordingly. Consider a non-oral estrogen route if feasible, and re-titrate if the estrogen is stopped or changed.
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 Somatropin, 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 Somatropin
- Acarbose + Somatropin Moderate
- Albiglutide + Somatropin Moderate
- Alogliptin-metformin + Somatropin Moderate
- Alogliptin-pioglitazone + Somatropin Moderate
- Alogliptin + Somatropin Moderate
- Betamethasone + Somatropin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel with Somatropin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Somatropin 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 estrogens reduce hepatic production of IGF-1 in response to growth hormone, so patients on oral estrogen may show a blunted response to somatropin. Higher somatropin doses are often needed in women taking oral estrogen than in those not taking it.
How serious is the interaction between Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Somatropin?
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 serum IGF-1 and clinical response, and titrate the somatropin dose accordingly. Consider a non-oral estrogen route if feasible, and re-titrate if the estrogen is stopped or changed.
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.
