Drug interactions
Etravirine + Levonorgestrel
Severity: Moderate
Etravirine and Levonorgestrel: 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
Etravirine is a CYP3A4 inducer and may lower levonorgestrel exposure, risking contraceptive failure with oral or emergency use. Intrauterine systems act mainly locally and are less affected.
What this interaction means in plain words
Etravirine and Levonorgestrel 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.
Etravirine belongs to Anti Virals; Levonorgestrel belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Etravirine induces CYP3A4, increasing levonorgestrel clearance.
What to do
For oral levonorgestrel, add a non-hormonal method, or consider a higher emergency contraception dose or copper IUD per local guidance. An intrauterine system generally remains suitable.
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 Levonorgestrel
Other interactions of Etravirine
- Efavirenz + Etravirine Contraindicated
- Etravirine + Isavuconazole Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Etravirine Major
- Apalutamide + Etravirine Major
- Carbamazepine + Etravirine Major
- Cobicistat + Etravirine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Etravirine with Levonorgestrel?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Etravirine and Levonorgestrel 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. Etravirine is a CYP3A4 inducer and may lower levonorgestrel exposure, risking contraceptive failure with oral or emergency use. Intrauterine systems act mainly locally and are less affected.
How serious is the interaction between Etravirine and Levonorgestrel?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: For oral levonorgestrel, add a non-hormonal method, or consider a higher emergency contraception dose or copper IUD per local guidance. An intrauterine system generally remains suitable.
What other medicines interact with Levonorgestrel?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Levonorgestrel with, for example, Amobarbital, Apalutamide, Belzutifan. The full list is on the Levonorgestrel page.
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