Interaction between Rifabutin and Ethinylestradiol
Major
Metabolism
| ID | DDInter1589 and DDInter692 |
| Interaction | RECOMMENDED: Coadministration with rifampin or other rifamycins may reduce the efficacy of contraceptive hormones. There have been numerous case reports of menstrual abnormalities (e.g., breakthrough bleeding, amenorrhea, irregular menses) and unintended pregnancy occurring in women who received oral contraceptives with rifampin. |
| Management | Women using hormonal contraceptives should be advised of the risk of breakthrough bleeding and unintended pregnancy during concomitant rifamycin therapy, even when given in short courses. Alternative or additional methods of birth control should be used during and for at least two weeks after short-term and 4 weeks after long-term (greater than 4 weeks) rifamycin therapy. If a combination oral contraceptive pill is used, a regimen containing at least 50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol per day or equivalent should be selected. Although breakthrough bleeding is not necessarily indicative of low ethinyl estradiol serum levels or increased risk of ovulation, some clinicians suggest that women who experience breakthrough bleeding during enzyme-inducing therapy may be prescribed an increased dose of ethinyl estradiol above 50 mcg daily by combining more than one formulation of contraceptive pill if necessary. For emergency contraception in patients who have used an hepatic enzyme inducer in the past 4 weeks, a non-hormonal emergency contraceptive (e.g., copper intrauterine device) is considered preferable. If this is not possible, some authorities recommend that the usual dose of levonorgestrel (1.5 mg) should be doubled to 3 mg and taken as a single dose as soon as possible (within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse). |
| References | |
| Alternative for Rifabutin |
J04A
|
| Alternative for Ethinylestradiol |
G03A
L02A G03C
More
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Potential Metabolism Interactions
Substrate-Substrate Interaction：If more than one drug is metabolized by the same CYP, it is possible that its metabolism is inhibited because of the competition between the drugs. That means, it can be useful to lower the dosage of the drugs in the drug-cocktail because they remain longer in the organism than in monotherapy.
Inhibitor-Inhibitor Interaction：Combining two or more inhibitors of one CYP, should be compensated by lowering the dosage of these drugs because the metabolism is reduced and the drugs remain longer in the organism than in monotherapy. Not adapting the dosage bears the risk of even more side effects.
Inhibitor-Substrate Interaction：Combining drugs that have inhibitory effect and are substrates of one particular CYP, should be compensated by lowering the dosage. They rest longer in the organism than in monotherapy. Not adapting the dosage bears the risk of even more side effects.