Women Channel
Topics
Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Cyclessa Drug Interactions
If you are taking antibiotics, barbiturates, or St. John's wort while taking Cyclessa, drug interactions could occur. Interactions such as these could lead to an increased risk of side effects or unintentional pregnancy. Tell your healthcare provider about all other medications you are taking so that you can discuss Cyclessa drug interactions that specifically apply to you.
Cyclessa® (desogestrel/ethinyl estradiol) can interact with a number of other medicines. Many of these interactions can be quite severe and may even lead to accidental pregnancy. In these instances, a backup method of birth control may be required. If you are ever unsure what to do about a Cyclessa drug interaction, be sure to use backup birth control until you can speak with your healthcare provider. Some of the medicines that may lead to Cyclessa drug interactions include:
- Aminoglutethimide (Cytadren®)
- Antibiotics
- Aprepitant (Emend®)
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor®)
- Barbiturates, such as:
- Amobarbital (Amytal®)
- Butalbital (Fioricet®, Fiorinal®)
- Pentobarbital (Nembutal®)
- Phenobarbital (Luminal®)
- Secobarbital (Seconal®)
- Cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®)
- Many seizure medications, such as:
- Carbamazepine (Carbatrol®, Epitol®, Equetro™, Tegretol®)
- Felbamate (Felbatol®)
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal®)
- Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®)
- Phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®)
- Topiramate (Topamax®)
- Modafinil (Provigil®)
- Protease inhibitors, such as:
- Amprenavir (Agenerase®)
- Atazanavir (Reyataz®)
- Fosamprenavir (Lexiva®)
- Indinavir (Crixivan®)
- Nelfinavir (Viracept®)
- Ritonavir (Norvir®)
- Selegiline (Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Zelapar®)
- St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
- Theophylline (Uniphyl®, Theocron®, TheoCap®, Theo-24®, Elixophyllin®).
(Cyclessa is equivalent to Caziant™, Cesia™, and Velivet™ birth control pills. The information in this article also applies to each of these medications.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD