Drug interactions
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Ursodiol
Severity: Moderate
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Ursodiol: 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
Estrogens increase biliary cholesterol saturation and can promote gallstone formation, opposing the cholesterol-lowering and gallstone-dissolving action of ursodiol. Therapeutic benefit of ursodiol in gallstone disease may be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Ursodiol 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; Ursodiol belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism: estrogens raise hepatic cholesterol secretion into bile, counteracting ursodiol.
What to do
Consider a non-estrogen contraceptive in patients treated with ursodiol for gallstone dissolution. Monitor response to therapy by imaging.
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
Other interactions of Ursodiol
- Aluminum hydroxide + Ursodiol Moderate
- Cholestyramine + Ursodiol Moderate
- Colesevelam + Ursodiol Moderate
- Colestipol + Ursodiol Moderate
- Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Ursodiol Moderate
- Calcium + Ursodiol Minor
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel with Ursodiol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Ursodiol 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. Estrogens increase biliary cholesterol saturation and can promote gallstone formation, opposing the cholesterol-lowering and gallstone-dissolving action of ursodiol. Therapeutic benefit of ursodiol in gallstone disease may be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel and Ursodiol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Consider a non-estrogen contraceptive in patients treated with ursodiol for gallstone dissolution. Monitor response to therapy by imaging.
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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