only to oral form of both agents. Use Caution/Monitor.ticarcillinMonitor Closely (1)ticarcillin will decrease the level or effect of ethinylestradiol by altering intestinal flora. Applies only to oral forms of hormone. Low risk of contraceptive failure. Use Caution/Monitor.tigecyclineMonitor Closely (1)tigecycline will decrease the level or effect of ethinylestradiol by altering intestinal flora. Applies only to oral forms of hormone. Low risk of contraceptive failure. Use Caution/Monitor.tinidazoleMonitor Closely (1)ethinylestradiol will increase the level or effect of tinidazole by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.tipranavirSerious - Use Alternative (1)tipranavir, ethinylestradiol. Other (see comment). Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Comment: Significant changes (increase or decrease) can occur in estrogen plasma levels. Efficacy of hormonal contraceptives may be reduced. Use of a nonhormonal contraceptive is recommended. .tizanidineMonitor Closely (1)ethinylestradiol will increase the level or effect of tizanidine by affecting hepatic enzyme CYP1A2 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor. Monitor for tizanidine adverse effects (eg, hypotension or bradycardia)Minor (1)ethinylestradiol increases levels of tizanidine by unspecified interaction mechanism. Minor/Significance Unknown.tolterodineMonitor Closely (1)ethinylestradiol will increase the level or effect of tolterodine by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.topiramateSerious - Use Alternative (1)topiramate will decrease the level or effect of ethinylestradiol by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. The efficacy of hormonal contraceptives may be reduced. Use of a nonhormonal contraceptive is recommended.tranexamic acid oralContraindicated (1)tranexamic acid oral, ethinylestradiol. Either increases toxicity of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Contraindicated. Coadministration of tranexamic acid oral and combination hormonal contraceptives increases thrombotic risk.trazodoneMinor (1)ethinylestradiol, trazodone. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Oxidative metabolism of TCAs may be decreased by ethinyl estradiol. Increased antidepressant serum concentrations may occur. Potential for increased TCA adverse effects.triazolamMonitor Closely (1)ethinylestradiol will increase the level or effect of triazolam by Mechanism: decreasing metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor. Ethinyl estradiol may inhibit the clearance of benzodiazepines that undergo oxidation, thereby increasing serum concentrations of concomitantly administered benzodiazepines.trientineMonitor Closely (1)trientine, ferrous fumarate. Either decreases levels of the other by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Use Caution/Monitor. Separate by 2 hr.trimethoprimMonitor Closely (1)trimethoprim will decrease the level or effect of ethinylestradiol by altering intestinal flora. Applies only to oral forms of hormone. Low risk of contraceptive failure. Use Caution/Monitor.trimipramineMinor (1)ethinylestradiol, trimipramine. Mechanism: unspecified interaction mechanism. Minor/Significance Unknown. Oxidative metabolism of TCAs may be decreased by ethinyl estradiol. Increased antidepressant serum concentrations may occur. Potential for increased TCA adverse effects.tucatinibSerious - Use Alternative (1)tucatinib will increase the level or effect of ethinylestradiol by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Avoid concomitant use of tucatinib with CYP3A substrates, where minimal concentration changes may lead to serious or life-threatening toxicities. If unavoidable, reduce CYP3A substrate dose according to product labeling.ursodiolMonitor Closely (1)ethinylestradiol decreases effects of ursodiol by pharmacodynamic antagonism. Use Caution/Monitor.valoctocogene roxaparvovecMonitor Closely (1)ethinylestradiol and valoctocogene roxaparvovec both increase Other (see comment). Use Caution/Monitor. Medications that may cause hepatotoxicity when combined with valoctogene roxaparvovec may potentiate the risk of elevated liver enzymes. Closely monitor these medications and consider alternative medications in case of potential drug interactions.valproic acidMonitor Closely (1)ethinylestradiol will decrease the level or effect of valproic acid by increasing elimination. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. May lead to increased seizure frequencyvitamin EMinor (1)vitamin E decreases levels of ferrous fumarate by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown.vonoprazanMonitor Closely (1)vonoprazan will decrease the level or effect of ferrous fumarate by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Use Caution/Monitor.voriconazoleMonitor Closely (1)voriconazole will increase the level or effect of ethinylestradiol by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.voxelotorSerious - Use Alternative (1)voxelotor will increase the level or effect of ethinylestradiol by affecting hepatic/intestinal enzyme CYP3A4 metabolism. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Voxelotor increases systemic exposure of sensitive CYP3A4 substrates. Avoid coadministration with sensitive CYP3A4 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index. Consider dose reduction of the sensitive CYP3A4 substrate(s) if unable to avoid. >10% Edema Weakness Anorexia Amenorrhea Breakthrough bleeding Change in menstrual flow Spotting Frequency Not Defined Deep vein thrombosis Thrombophlebitis Depression Dizziness Headache Nervousness Somnolence Breast tenderness Galactorrhea Abdominal pain Nausea Vomiting Weight change Cholestatic jaundice Black Box Warnings Cardiovascular risks Estrogens with and without progestins should not be used to prevent cardiovascular diseaseEstrogens plus progestins: Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Estrogen Plus Progestin substudy reported increased risks of myocardial infarction, stroke, invasive breast cancer, pulmonary emboli, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in postmenopausal women (aged 50-79 yr) during 5.6 yr of treatment with daily PO conjugated estrogens (CE 0.625 mg) combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA 2.5 mg) compared with placebo Estrogens alone: The estrogen alone substudy of the WHI Study reported increased risks of stroke & DVT in postmenopausal women (aged 50-79 yr) during 6.8 yr of treatment with oral conjugated estrogens (0.625 mg/day) alone compared with placebo Dementia Risks Estrogens with or without progestins should not be used to prevent dementia Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS), a substudy of the WHI study, reported increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women aged 65 yr or older during 4 yr of treatment with daily CE 0.625 mg combined with MPA 2.5 mg, compared w/ placebo Estrogens alone: A substudy of the WHIMS reported an increased risk of developing probable dementia in postmenopausal women aged 65 yr or older during 5.2 yr of treatment with conjugated estrogens 0.625 mg alone compared with placebo Unknown whether these findings apply to younger postmenopausal women Dose & duration In the absence of comparable data, these risks should be assumed to be similar for other doses of CE and MPA and other combinations and dosage forms of estrogens and progestins Because of these risks, estrogens with or without progestins should be prescribed at lowest effective dose and for shortest duration consistent with treatment goals and individual risks Cigarette smoking & risk of cardiovascular disease Cigarette smoking increases risk of serious cardiovascular adverse effects from combination hormonal contraceptive use This risk increases w/ age (>35 yr) and with heavy smoking (15 or more cigarettes/day) Advise women who use hormonal oral contraceptives not to smoke Contraindications Documented hypersensitivity Active or history of breast cancer Arterial thromboembolic disease (stroke, MI), thrombophlebitis, DVT/PE, thrombogenic valvular disease Estrogen-dependent neoplasia Liver disease, liver tumors Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding Uncontrolled hypertension Diabetes mellitus with vascular involvement Jaundice with prior oral contraceptive use Cautions Acitretin inhibits contraceptive efficacy of norethindrone preparations Family history of breast cancer and or DVT/PE, current/history of depression, endometriosis, DM, HTN, bone mineral density changes, renal/hepatic impairment, bone metabolic disease, SLE; conditions exacerbated by fluid retention (eg, migraine, asthma, epilepsy) Discontinue if the following develop jaundice, visual problems (may cause contact lens intolerance), any signs of VTE, migraine with unusual severity, significang blood pressure increase, severe depression, increased risk of thromboembolic complications after surgery Discontinue 4 week before major surgery or prolonged immobilization Patients on warfarin, oral anticoagulants (increase in anticoagulant dose may be warranted) Some studies link OCP use with increased risk of breast cancer, whereas other studies have not shown a change in risk; woman's risk depends on conditions where naturally high hormone levels persist for long periods of time including early onset menstruation before age 12, late onset menopause, after age 55, first child after age 30, nulliparity Increased risk of cervical cancer with OCP use, however HPV remains as main risk factor for this cancer; evidence suggests long-term use of OCPs, 5 or more years, may be associated with increased risk Increased risk of liver cancer with OCP use; risk increases with longer duration of OCP use CDC guidelines recommend waiting at least 3 weeks following vaginal birth or 6 weeks after cesarean section to decrease risk for venous thromboembolism before initiating combined hormonal contraceptives; women with additional risk factors for VTE (besides postpartum) should not use combined hormonal contraceptives (MMWR July 7, 2011) Pregnancy Category: X Lactation: small amounts of steroids are excreted in breast milk; estrogens may reduce quality/quantity of milk; may be prudent to use other forms of birth control until full weaning (AAP Committee states compatible with nursing)Pregnancy Categories A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk. B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available. Mechanism of Action Ethinyl Estradiol (EE): Reduces LHRH release from hypothalamus, reduces gonadotropin release from pituitary; increases synthesis of DNA, RNA, and various proteins in target tissues Norethindrone acetate: progestin; inhibits gonadotropin secretion of gonadotropins from pituitary; prevents follicular maturation and ovulation, stimulates growth of mammary tissues Pharmacokinetics Peak Plasma Time: 8 hr (EE); 1-2 hr (norethindrone) Protein binding: EE 80%; norethindrone 61% Both components are metabolized in the liver; estradiol undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism Bioavailability: 43-55% (ethinyl estradiol) Vd: 2-4 L/kg (ethinyl estradiol) Ethinyl estradiol metabolites: Estriol, estrone Norethindrone metabolites: Sulfate and glucuronide metabolites (inactive) Half-life elimination: 4-13 hr (norethindrone PO); 19-24hr (ethinyl estradiol) Excretion Ethinyl estradiol: Urine as conjugates, most estrogens are also excreted in bile and undergo enterohepatic recycling Norethindrone: 33-81% (urine); 35-43% (feces) No images available for this drug. No images available for this drug.A Patient Handout is not currently available for this monograph.Print FormularyPatient DiscountsAdding plans allows you to compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.To view formulary information first create a list of plans. Your list will be saved and can be edited at any time.Create Your List of PlansAdding plans allows you to:View the formulary and any restrictions for each plan.Manage and view all your plans together – even plans in different states.Compare formulary status to other drugs in the same class.Access your plan list on any device – mobile or desktop. The above information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. Individual plans may vary and formulary information changes. Contact the applicable plan provider for the most current information. View explanations for tiers and restrictions Tier Description 1 This drug is available at the lowest co-pay. Most commonly, these are generic drugs. 2 This drug is available at a middle level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "preferred" (on formulary) brand drugs. 3 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs. 4 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products. 5 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products. 6 This drug is available at a higher level co-pay. Most commonly, these are "non-preferred" brand drugs or specialty prescription products. NC NOT COVERED – Drugs that are not covered by the plan. Code Definition PA Prior Authorization Drugs that require prior authorization. This restriction requires that specific clinical criteria be met prior to the approval of the prescription. 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