Drug interactions
Lamotrigine + Norethisterone
Severity: Moderate
Lamotrigine and Norethisterone: 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
Hormonal contraceptives, mainly the estrogen component, induce lamotrigine glucuronidation and lower its levels. A progestin-only norethisterone product has much less effect, but combined products can cause loss of seizure control, and levels rise in the pill-free week.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lamotrigine and Norethisterone 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; Norethisterone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Estrogen-containing contraceptives induce UGT-mediated glucuronidation of lamotrigine, increasing its clearance.
What to do
If a combined product is started or stopped, monitor seizure control and lamotrigine levels and adjust the dose as needed. Consider progestin-only methods if stable lamotrigine levels are important.
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 Norethisterone
- Acitretin + Norethisterone Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Norethisterone Major
- Apalutamide + Norethisterone Major
- Belzutifan + Norethisterone Major
- Bosentan + Norethisterone Major
- Brigatinib + Norethisterone Major
Other interactions of Lamotrigine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lamotrigine with Norethisterone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lamotrigine and Norethisterone 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. Hormonal contraceptives, mainly the estrogen component, induce lamotrigine glucuronidation and lower its levels. A progestin-only norethisterone product has much less effect, but combined products can cause loss of seizure control, and levels rise in the pill-free week.
How serious is the interaction between Lamotrigine and Norethisterone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: If a combined product is started or stopped, monitor seizure control and lamotrigine levels and adjust the dose as needed. Consider progestin-only methods if stable lamotrigine levels are important.
What other medicines interact with Norethisterone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Norethisterone with, for example, Acitretin, Amobarbital, Apalutamide. The full list is on the Norethisterone page.
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