Guggul + Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate
Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate brand names: Demulen 1/35, Zovia 1/35, Demulen Compack, Demulen 1/50, Zovia 1/50, and others.
Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate falls into 3 drug categories that Guggul can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, guggul might reduce the effects of CYP3A4 substrates.
Read the full interaction reportGuggul and Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate
These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 3 Interactions?
Guggul interacts with whole categories of medication. Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Guggul in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES
1 of 3Why this applies to Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate
Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES — the group Guggul interacts with.
In vitro research shows that guggul constituents known as guggulsterones can induce CYP3A4.
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..
Here's the concern with pairing guggul and your birth control pill (the Demulen/Zovia/Kelnor family). The estrogen in these pills, ethinyl estradiol, is processed by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. Lab studies suggest that guggulsterones, the active compounds in guggul, may speed up that enzyme. If that happens in real life, your body could clear the hormones a little faster, which can lower their levels and, in theory, make the pill less reliable for preventing pregnancy. You might also notice more breakthrough bleeding or spotting.
I'll be honest, this is based on test-tube research, not on real patients, so we don't know how strong the effect truly is. Still, since an unplanned pregnancy is a big deal, please check with your doctor or pharmacist before adding guggul, and don't stop your pill on your own.
- Brobst DE, Ding X, Creech KL, et al. Guggulsterone activates multiple nuclear receptors and induces CYP3A gene expression through the pregnane X receptor. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2004;310:528-35. PubMed
CONTRACEPTIVE DRUGS
2 of 3Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate also falls under CONTRACEPTIVE DRUGS.
In vitro research shows that guggul has estrogen-alpha receptor agonist activity.
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.
Your birth control pill, Demulen (or Zovia/Kelnor), works by delivering steady amounts of estrogen and a progestin. Here's the thing about guggul: in lab-dish studies, its active compounds appear to act a little like estrogen by switching on estrogen receptors. The concern, on paper, is that adding that activity on top of the estrogen already in your pill could nudge up estrogen-related effects.
What that could feel like: things like breast tenderness, nausea, bloating, headaches, or mood changes. To be honest, this is a theoretical worry based only on test-tube data, not real patient studies, so I wouldn't panic. Still, since this affects your contraception, it's worth a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor before you start guggul.
- Brobst DE, Ding X, Creech KL, et al. Guggulsterone activates multiple nuclear receptors and induces CYP3A gene expression through the pregnane X receptor. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2004;310:528-35. PubMed
ESTROGENS
3 of 3Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate also falls under ESTROGENS.
In vitro research shows that guggul constituents known as guggulsterones have estrogen-alpha receptor agonist activity.
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.
Your pill (Demulen, Zovia, Kelnor) combines ethinyl estradiol, a synthetic estrogen, with a progestin. Here's the idea behind this caution: in lab dishes, the active compounds in guggul (guggulsterones) seem to gently switch on estrogen receptors, the same targets your birth control pill already acts on. Stacked together, the theory is that you could get a little extra estrogen-like signaling.
In plain terms, that might mean a slightly higher chance of estrogen-related side effects like breast tenderness, nausea, bloating, or headaches. I want to be honest though: this comes only from test-tube research, not from people, so it's a theoretical concern, not a proven one. If you'd like to use guggul, just run it by your pharmacist or doctor first.
- Brobst DE, Ding X, Creech KL, et al. Guggulsterone activates multiple nuclear receptors and induces CYP3A gene expression through the pregnane X receptor. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2004;310:528-35. PubMed
What These Ratings Mean
Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.
Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.
Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.
Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.
- 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.
- 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.
Guggul Also Interacts With Other Medications
Guggul has 756 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Guggul
We haven’t checked that one against Guggul yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Guggul. Pick one to open its full report.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate
This page covers Guggul only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate page lists 239 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 · 195 moderate · 38 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate page
“The stakes here are pregnancy prevention, so I read this list with genuine seriousness. Ethinyl estradiol with ethynodiol diacetate (Zovia, Demulen, Kelnor) is a combined birth control pill, and the interactions that concern me most are the ones that can quietly weaken it.”
Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026
Open the Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate interaction page
Taking Guggul as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions
We hold 955 real supplement products containing Guggul, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Guggul. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate too, on top of Guggul — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:
Where Guggul and Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate 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.
#214 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#1,479 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days
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.
About Guggul
What is Guggul?
- High cholesterol
- Joint pain and arthritis
- Weight management
- Acne
- Skin conditions
Guggul is a gum resin from the Commiphora wightii tree, long used in Ayurvedic medicine for cholesterol, joint, and skin problems. Modern studies are mixed and often low-quality, and it can cause stomach upset and skin rashes. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using it, and avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Other Drugs & Guggul
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Guggul — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
756 interactions
- Diclofenac Sodium ›
- Diltiazem ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Aspirin ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Naproxen ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Minocycline ›
- Propranolol ›
- Levothyroxine ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Diclofenac Potassium ›
- Dipyridamole ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Miconazole ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Conjugated Estrogens ›
- Diazepam ›
- Everolimus ›
- Ivabradine ›
- Ketoprofen ›
- Medroxyprogesterone ›
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ›
- Rifampin ›
- Testosterone Undecanoate ›
- Aripiprazole ›
- Bivalirudin ›
- Caffeine (otc Drug) ›
- Ciclesonide ›
- Clonazepam ›
- Cyclobenzaprine ›
- Dapsone ›
- Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate ›
- Erythromycin Stearate ›
- Etoposide ›
- Fluticasone Propionate ›
- Hydroxyzine ›
Showing 60 of 756 moderate interactions — see all 756 on the Guggul page.
No interaction 2,073 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Guggul against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Methylphenidate ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Metoprolol ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Docusate ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Methamphetamine ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Lisdexamfetamine ›
- Metformin ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Bupropion ›
- Bendamustine ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Fluoxetine ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Acetaminophen, Codeine ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Dextroamphetamine ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Duloxetine ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Bisoprolol ›
- Acetaminophen, Oxycodone ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine ›
- Roxithromycin ›
- Mannitol ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Valsartan ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Spironolactone ›
- Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium ›
- Phentermine, Topiramate ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Levodopa ›
- Lenvatinib ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Hethylphenidate Hcl ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Venlafaxine ›
- Cefaclor ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,073 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Guggul list.
Sources & How We Checked
Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for vitamins, herbs and supplements — the basis for our interaction data.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for the medication overviews.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — Official supplement product labels.
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
Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate Is Linked to Lower Levels of 7 Nutrients
Natural Medicines records Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Guggul — it is a separate effect of the medicine, and it is a reason some people are advised to supplement rather than to avoid one:
Read the full Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate nutrient depletion report ›
Depletion records come from the licensed Natural Medicines database. Do not start a supplement on the strength of this page — ask your pharmacist or doctor whether it applies to you.
Taking Guggul and Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate Together: Common Questions
Can you take Guggul with Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate?
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Guggul and Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate?
How serious is the Guggul and Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate interaction?
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.