Drug interactions
Lamotrigine + Levonorgestrel
Severity: Moderate
Lamotrigine 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
Combined contraceptives with levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol lower lamotrigine concentrations, risking reduced efficacy and fluctuations across the pill cycle. Progestin-only levonorgestrel products have little effect on lamotrigine.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lamotrigine 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.
Lamotrigine belongs to Central Nervous System; Levonorgestrel belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Estrogen-induced glucuronidation of lamotrigine; progestin alone has minimal effect.
What to do
For combined products, monitor seizure control or lamotrigine levels and adjust the dose when starting or stopping. Progestin-only methods need no adjustment.
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 Lamotrigine
Other interactions of Levonorgestrel
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lamotrigine with Levonorgestrel?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lamotrigine 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. Combined contraceptives with levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol lower lamotrigine concentrations, risking reduced efficacy and fluctuations across the pill cycle. Progestin-only levonorgestrel products have little effect on lamotrigine.
How serious is the interaction between Lamotrigine 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 combined products, monitor seizure control or lamotrigine levels and adjust the dose when starting or stopping. Progestin-only methods need no adjustment.
What other medicines interact with Lamotrigine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lamotrigine with, for example, Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol, Divalproex, Dofetilide. The full list is on the Lamotrigine page.
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