Lixisenatide Injection and Gestodene: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Lixisenatide Injection
Gestodene
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Decreased absorption of oral contraceptives
Interaction Deep Dive
Concomitant use of lixisenatide with oral contraceptives may decrease absorption of the oral contraceptive. When a single dose of the oral contraceptive, ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel was administered 1 hour after lixisenatide, ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel Cmax decreased by approximately half; however, when a single dose of ethinylestradiol/levonorgestrel was administered either 1 hour before or 11 hours after lixisenatide, the Cmax and other absorption parameters of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel were not affected. If these agents are coadministered, instruct patients to take oral contraceptives at least 1 hour before lixisenatide or at least 11 hours after lixisenatide administration1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Delayed gastric emptying
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) In a drug interaction study, administration of a single dose of the oral contraceptive, ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg/levonorgestrel 0.15 mg one hour or 4 hours after lixisenatide 10 mcg decreased ethinylestradiol Cmax by 52% and 39%, respectively, and levonorgestrel Cmax by 46% and 20%, respectively. The median Tmax of the oral contraceptive was also delayed by 1 to 3 hours. However, the overall exposure (AUC) and mean t(1/2) of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel were not affected. When a single dose of ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg/levonorgestrel 0.15 mg was administered either 1 hour before or 11 hours after lixisenatide 10 mcg, the Cmax, AUC, t(1/2), and Tmax of ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel did not change 1.
Common questions
Can I take Lixisenatide Injection and Gestodene together?
Decreased absorption of oral contraceptives Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Lixisenatide Injection and Gestodene interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "rapid". Effects can appear quickly, often within about 24 hours of combining the drugs.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Lixisenatide Injection or Gestodene need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (1)
- Product Information: ADLYXIN(TM) subcutaneous injection, lixisenatide subcutaneous injection. sanofi-aventis US LLC (per manufacturer), Bridgewater, NJ, 2016. DailyMed
Keep reading about Lixisenatide Injection
Keep reading about Gestodene
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Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
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