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Drug interactions

Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Tizanidine

Severity: Moderate

Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Tizanidine: 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

Ethinyl estradiol can reduce the clearance of tizanidine, a drug that depends heavily on CYP1A2 for its metabolism. Higher tizanidine exposure may cause more pronounced hypotension, bradycardia and sedation.

What this interaction means in plain words

Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Tizanidine 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; Tizanidine belongs to Musculoskeletal.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Ethinyl estradiol inhibits CYP1A2, reducing the first-pass and systemic metabolism of tizanidine.

What to do

Monitor blood pressure, heart rate and sedation when starting or stopping the contraceptive in a patient on tizanidine. Reduce the tizanidine dose if adverse effects appear.

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 Tizanidine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Tizanidine 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 can reduce the clearance of tizanidine, a drug that depends heavily on CYP1A2 for its metabolism. Higher tizanidine exposure may cause more pronounced hypotension, bradycardia and sedation.

How serious is the interaction between Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Tizanidine?

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 pressure, heart rate and sedation when starting or stopping the contraceptive in a patient on tizanidine. Reduce the tizanidine dose if adverse effects appear.

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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