Does Ethinyl Estradiol Interact with Isotretinoin?
Ethinyl Estradiol and Isotretinoin have a minor drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. Clinical trial showed no clinically relevant changes in pharmacokinetics or hormone levels at recommended isotretinoin dosages. The mechanism involves no significant pharmacokinetic interaction identified in clinical trial. Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This information is based on official FDA drug labeling sourced from OpenFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine.
- Severity
- Minor
- Isotretinoin Class
- Retinoid
- Management
- Generally manageable
- Data Source
- U.S. FDA via OpenFDA
How This Interaction Works
The interaction between Ethinyl Estradiol and Isotretinoin occurs because no significant pharmacokinetic interaction identified in clinical trial. Clinically, this means clinical trial showed no clinically relevant changes in pharmacokinetics or hormone levels at recommended isotretinoin dosages. This is classified as a minor interaction with generally low clinical significance, though your healthcare provider should still be informed that you are taking both medications.
What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you are taking Ethinyl Estradiol and your doctor is considering prescribing Isotretinoin (or vice versa), make sure to:
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
- Ask whether the benefits of combining these medications outweigh the risks for your specific situation
- Ask what symptoms to watch for that would indicate the interaction is causing problems
- Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider