Drug Interactions With Low-Ogestrel

Cyclosporine, aminoglutethimide, barbiturates, and antibiotics are some of the medications that may cause drug interactions with Low-Ogestrel. These interactions can increase your risk of developing side effects or even lead to unintentional pregnancy. If you are ever unclear about any particular Low-Ogestrel drug interaction, use a backup method of contraception until you can talk to your healthcare provider.

Drug Interactions With Low-Ogestrel: An Overview 

Low-Ogestrel® (norgestrel/ethinyl estradiol) is a generic version of Lo/Ovral®. It can potentially interact with numerous other medicines. Many of these interactions can be severe enough to lead to unintentional pregnancy, and a backup method of birth control may be recommended in many cases. Although many women are aware that antibiotics can interact with birth control pills, other medications can interact with Low-Ogestrel as well. Some of the medicines that may lead to Low-Ogestrel drug interactions include:
 
  • Aminoglutethimide (Cytadren®)
  • Antibiotics
  • Aprepitant (Emend®)
  • Barbiturate medications, such as:
 
    • Amobarbital (Amytal®)
    • Butalbital (Fioricet®, Fiorinal®)
    • Pentobarbital (Nembutal®)
    • Phenobarbital (Luminal®)
    • Primidone (Mysoline®)
    • Secobarbital (Seconal®)
 
  • Cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
  • Dexamethasone (Decadron®)
  • Modafinil (Provigil®)
  • Numerous seizure medications, such as:
 
 
  • Protease inhibitors, such as:
 
 
(Drug Interactions With Low-Ogestrel Continued: Page 2)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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