Selected Progestin-only Contraceptives/Lamotrigine 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:
Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
Lamotrigine increases how quickly your body processes levonorgestrel-only or norethindrone-only contraceptives.
What might happen:
The amount of the contraceptive in your blood may decrease, so it may not work as well at preventing pregnancy.
What you should do about this interaction:
Let your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know that you are taking these medicines together. It is important to take your oral contraceptive exactly as directed and not miss any doses. Let your doctor know if you notice any changes in your menstrual cycle, such as break-through bleeding. This may be a sign that your contraceptive is not be working as well.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
- 1.Lamictal (lamotrigine) US prscribing information. GlaxoSmithKline October, 2020.
- 2.Sidhu J, Job S, Singh S, Philipson R. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic consequences of the co-administration of lamotrigine and a combined oral contraceptive in healthy female subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2006 Feb;61(2):191-9.
- 3.Anderson Gail D. Chapter 42: Pharmacokinetics and Drug Interactions. In: Wyllie's Treatment of Epilepsy: Principles and Practice, 5th Ed. 2011.
- 4.Levy RH Thummel KE Trager WF. Metabolic Drug Interactions (textbook). Metabolic Drug Interactions 2000.
Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.
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.