Drug & supplement interaction

Caffeine + Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol

Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol brand names: Yasmin, Gianvi, Angeliq.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol falls into 3 drug categories that Caffeine can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, estrogens might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
Interactions3
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Caffeine and Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol

These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

Caffeine interacts with whole categories of medication. Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Caffeine in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).

Moderate

ESTROGENS

1 of 3

Why this applies to Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol

Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol falls under ESTROGENS — the group Caffeine interacts with.

Theoretically, estrogens might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine.
Estrogen inhibits caffeine metabolism.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence B

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the key thing to know: the estrogen in your birth control pill (the ethinyl estradiol part) can slow down how fast your body clears caffeine. The drug isn't being changed, it's the other direction. Your liver uses an enzyme to break caffeine down, and estrogen can put the brakes on that enzyme. So the same cup of coffee may stick around longer and hit a bit harder.

In real life, that might mean feeling more jittery, a faster or pounding heartbeat, or trouble sleeping if you have caffeine later in the day. Nothing dangerous for most healthy people, just a reason to cut back if you notice it. If you're sensitive to caffeine or have anxiety or heart concerns, chat with your pharmacist or doctor.

References
  1. Pollock BG, Wylie M, Stack JA, et al. Inhibition of caffeine metabolism by estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. J Clin Pharmacol 1999;39:936-40. PubMed
  2. Balogh, A., Klinger, G., Henschel, L., Borner, A., Vollanth, R., and Kuhnz, W. Influence of ethinylestradiol-containing combination oral contraceptives with gestodene or levonorgestrel on caffeine elimination. Eur.J.Clin.Pharmacol. 1995;48(2):161-166. PubMed
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) INHIBITORS

2 of 3

Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) INHIBITORS.

Theoretically, concomitant use might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine.
Caffeine is metabolized by CYP1A2. Theoretically, drugs that inhibit CYP1A2 may decrease the rate of caffeine clearance and increase caffeine levels.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist: your birth control pill (Yasmin or Gianvi, which combines drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol) can gently slow down how fast your body clears caffeine. The estrogen part tends to block an enzyme called CYP1A2, the same one that breaks down caffeine. So the caffeine you drink may hang around a little longer than usual.

In real life, this might mean your morning coffee hits a bit harder, leaving you feeling jittery, wired, or having trouble sleeping or a racing heartbeat. The good news is this is rated minor and is mostly theoretical, based on lab studies rather than real patients. If you notice extra caffeine sensitivity, simply cutting back on coffee usually does the trick. Chat with your pharmacist if you have questions.

References
  1. Hagg S, Spigset O, Mjorndal T, Dahlqvist R. Effect of caffeine on clozapine pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2000;49:59-63. PubMed
  2. Carrillo JA, Benitez J. Clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions between dietary caffeine and medications. Clin Pharmacokinet 2000;39:127-53. PubMed
Minor

CONTRACEPTIVE DRUGS

3 of 3

Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol also falls under CONTRACEPTIVE DRUGS.

Theoretically, contraceptive drugs might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine.
Oral contraceptives decrease the rate of caffeine clearance by 40-65%.
Severity Minor Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's something many people don't realize: the estrogen in your birth control pill (Yasmin and similar combos) can slow down how fast your body clears caffeine. Studies suggest the pill cuts caffeine clearance by roughly 40 to 65 percent, so the cup of coffee you usually handle fine may linger longer and hit a bit harder.

In real life, that can mean more of the usual caffeine effects: feeling jittery, a racing or pounding heart, trouble falling asleep, or an uneasy, anxious feeling. The good news is this is rated minor, and the fix is simple. If you notice these signs, just trim back your coffee, tea, or energy drinks a little. Nothing about your pill needs to change. If you're unsure, your pharmacist is happy to help you sort it out.

References
  1. Pollock BG, Wylie M, Stack JA, et al. Inhibition of caffeine metabolism by estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. J Clin Pharmacol 1999;39:936-40. PubMed
  2. Abernethy DR, Todd EL. Impairment of caffeine clearance by chronic use of low-dose oestrogen-containing oral contraceptives. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1985;28:425-8. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Caffeine Also Interacts With Other Medications

Caffeine has 8 major, 482 moderate, 164 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Caffeine

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Caffeine. Pick one to open its full report.

From our Q&A

Questions About Caffeine or Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Caffeine or Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol

This page covers Caffeine only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol page lists 245 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Beer (major), Grapefruit (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major) and St. John's Wort (major).

By severity: 6 major · 200 moderate · 39 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol page

“Yasmin and similar drospirenone plus ethinyl estradiol pills only prevent pregnancy while hormone levels stay where they should, so read this list with real care, starting with the six entries rated major out of 245 on file. St.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Caffeine as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 6,775 real supplement products containing Caffeine, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Caffeine. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol too, on top of Caffeine — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Caffeine and Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Caffeine
Top 5%

#24 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol
Top 25%

#407 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Caffeine

What is Caffeine?

  • Mental alertness and reducing fatigue
  • Improving athletic performance
  • Headache and migraine relief
  • Boosting focus and concentration
  • Weight loss aid

Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in coffee, tea, and many other plants and products. In moderate amounts it can boost alertness and reduce tiredness for most healthy adults, but too much can cause jitteriness, a racing heart, and sleep problems. Pregnant women and people with heart conditions or anxiety should be especially careful and check with a doctor or pharmacist.

Read the full Caffeine monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Caffeine

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Caffeine — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

8Major
482Moderate
164Minor
2,175No known interaction
Major

8 interactions

Moderate

482 interactions

Showing 60 of 482 moderate interactions — see all 482 on the Caffeine page.

Minor

164 interactions

Showing 60 of 164 minor interactions — see all 164 on the Caffeine page.

No interaction 2,175 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Caffeine and Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol Together: Common Questions

Can you take Caffeine with Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Caffeine and Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol?
Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol belongs to more than one drug category, and Caffeine interacts with each of those categories a little differently. We list every one so nothing is missed — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them.
How serious is the Caffeine and Drospirenone, Ethinyl Estradiol interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.