Contraceptives/Griseofulvin Interactions

This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.

Medical warning:

Serious. These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.

How the interaction occurs:

The cause of the interaction is not known. When these two medicines are taken together, your body may process the estrogen in birth control pills more quickly.

What might happen:

The effects of your birth control pills may decrease and cause pregnancy, breakthrough bleeding, or an irregular menstrual cycle.

What you should do about this interaction:

Contact your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) as soon as possible about taking these two medicines together. They may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. If your doctor prescribes these medicines together, it may be necessary to change the dose of your birth control pills. It may also be necessary to change to a different form of birth control. The effects may last for up to one month after you finish taking griseofulvin. Contact your doctor if you experience pregnancy, breakthrough bleeding, or an irregular menstrual cycle. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.Emergency contraceptives may be less effective also. You may need a larger dose than normal. Discuss the dose and the need to confirm that you do not become pregnant with a pregnancy test with your healthcare professional.

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  • 2.McDaniel PA, Caldroney RD. Oral contraceptives and griseofulvin interactions. Drug Intell Clin Pharm 1986 May;20(5):384.
  • 3.Cote J. Interaction of griseofulvin and oral contraceptives. J Am Acad Dermatol 1990 Jan;22(1):124-5.
  • 4.Nor-Q-D (norethindrone) US prescribing information. WatsonPharma March, 2005.
  • 5.Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Levonorgestrel-containing emergency hormonal contraception: advice on interactions with hepatic enzyme inducers and contraceptive efficacy. available at: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/levonorgestrel-containing-emergency- hormonal-contraception-advice-on-interactions-with-hepatic-enzyme-inducers -and-contraceptive-efficacy September 15, 2016..

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.