Carbamazepine and Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol interaction
Carbamazepine and Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol: both prescribing labels describe an interaction that usually calls for monitoring, a dose change, or spacing the doses.
Usually manageable with monitoring or a dose change. Tell your pharmacist you take both.
What the FDA labels say
From the Carbamazepine (EQUETRO) label · effective 2025-08-19
EQUETRO can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.
Equetro may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.
EQUETRO decreases the concentrations of the following drugs through induction of their metabolism: Hormonal Contraceptives (CYP3A4 Substrates) EQUETRO is a strong inducer of CYP3A4.
EQUETRO can increase the metabolism of certain hormonal contraceptives (through CYP3A4 induction) such as oral and subdermal implant contraceptives, leading to significantly lower plasma concentrations of hormones.
This can cause contraceptive failure or breakthrough bleeding.
From the Levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol (Tyblume) label · effective 2026-08-27
Enzyme inducers (e.g., CYP3A4) : May decrease the effectiveness of TYBLUME or increase breakthrough bleeding.
Metabolic Enzyme Inducers Clinical effect Concomitant use of CHCs with metabolic enzyme inducers may decrease the plasma concentrations of the estrogen and/or progestin component of CHCs [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
Examples Aprepitant, barbiturates, bosentan, carbamazepine, efavirenz, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, primidone, phenylbutazone, rifabutin, rufinamide, topiramate, products containing St.
Counsel patients to use a back-up or alternative method of contraception when enzyme inducers are used with TYBLUME.
Prevention or management Counsel females to use an alternative method of contraception or a backup method when enzyme inducers are used with CHCs.
Taking more than these two? Interactions stack. Check your whole list at once; it stays in your browser.
Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.