Drug interactions
Etonogestrel + Rufinamide
Severity: Moderate
Etonogestrel 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 hormonal contraceptive levels, reducing efficacy. Labeling advises alternative or additional contraception.
What this interaction means in plain words
Etonogestrel 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.
Etonogestrel belongs to Endocrine; Rufinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Rufinamide weakly induces CYP3A4, increasing etonogestrel metabolism.
What to do
Recommend an additional non-hormonal method or a copper IUD while on rufinamide and for a few weeks after stopping.
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 Etonogestrel
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-levonorgestrel + Rufinamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Etonogestrel with Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Etonogestrel 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 hormonal contraceptive levels, reducing efficacy. Labeling advises alternative or additional contraception.
How serious is the interaction between Etonogestrel 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: Recommend an additional non-hormonal method or a copper IUD while on rufinamide and for a few weeks after stopping.
What other medicines interact with Etonogestrel?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Etonogestrel with, for example, Amobarbital, Armodafinil, Bosentan. The full list is on the Etonogestrel page.
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