Drug interactions
Mestranol + Secobarbital
Severity: Major
Mestranol and Secobarbital: major 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
Barbiturates induce hepatic enzymes and can lower estrogen levels from mestranol, which is converted to ethinylestradiol. This may cause breakthrough bleeding and contraceptive failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mestranol and Secobarbital can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Hepatic enzyme induction increases metabolism of mestranol and its active metabolite.
What to do
Use an additional or alternative non-hormonal contraceptive during secobarbital therapy and for several weeks after stopping.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Secobarbital
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Isavuconazonium + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Secobarbital Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mestranol with Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Mestranol and Secobarbital can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Barbiturates induce hepatic enzymes and can lower estrogen levels from mestranol, which is converted to ethinylestradiol. This may cause breakthrough bleeding and contraceptive failure.
How serious is the interaction between Mestranol and Secobarbital?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use an additional or alternative non-hormonal contraceptive during secobarbital therapy and for several weeks after stopping.
What other medicines interact with Secobarbital?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Secobarbital with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Doravirine, Elbasvir / grazoprevir. The full list is on the Secobarbital page.
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