Drug & supplement interaction

Moringa + Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol

Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol brand names: Nordette, Logynon ED, Microgynon 30, Ovranette, Trinordiol, and others.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol falls into 3 drug categories that Moringa can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, moringa might increase or decrease levels of CYP3A4 substrates.

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

Moringa and Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol

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

Why Are There 3 Interactions?

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

Moderate

CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES

1 of 3

Why this applies to Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol

Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES — the group Moringa interacts with.

Theoretically, moringa might increase or decrease levels of CYP3A4 substrates.
Some in vitro research suggests that moringa inhibits cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). However, other in vitro research suggests that moringa extract induces CYP3A4 enzymes. A pharmacokinetic study in patients with HIV shows no change in the pharmacokinetics of nevirapine, which is partially metabolized by CYP3A4, when administered concomitantly with moringa leaf powder 1.85 grams daily for 14 days.
Severity Moderate 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

Your birth control pill (levonorgestrel with ethinyl estradiol) is partly broken down by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. Moringa might nudge that enzyme one way or the other, but honestly the evidence here is thin and conflicting. Some lab studies suggest moringa slows the enzyme down, while others suggest it speeds it up, and a small human study with a related medication showed no real change at all.

So in everyday terms: there's a theoretical chance moringa could either raise hormone levels slightly (think nausea, breast tenderness, or spotting) or lower them (which in theory could weaken pregnancy protection). With your pill, that second possibility matters most. Food amounts of moringa are unlikely to be an issue, but if you take concentrated supplements daily, mention it to your pharmacist or doctor.

References
  1. Monera TG, Wolfe AR, Maponga CC, et al. Moringa oleifera leaf extracts inhibit 6beta-hydroxylation of testosterone by CYP3A4. J Infect Dev Ctries 2008;2:379-83.
  2. Monera-Penduka TG, Maponga CC, Wolfe AR, Wiesner L, Morse GD, Nhachi CF. Effect of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf powder on the pharmacokinetics of nevirapine in HIV-infected adults: a one sequence cross-over study. AIDS Res Ther. 2017;14:12. doi: 10.1186/s1 PubMed
  3. Haron MH, Dale O, Martin K, et al. Evaluation of the Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Commonly Used Botanicals on the US Market with Regard to PXR- and AhR-Mediated Influences on CYP3A4 and CYP1A2. J Diet Suppl 2022. PubMed
Moderate

P-GLYCOPROTEIN SUBSTRATES

2 of 3

Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol also falls under P-GLYCOPROTEIN SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, moringa leaf extract might increase the levels and clinical effects of P-glycoprotein substrates.
In vitro research shows that moringa leaf extract inhibits renal P-glycoprotein transport activity. So far, this reaction has not been reported in humans.
Severity Moderate 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 short version on combining moringa with your birth control pill (the levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol combo). The concern is that lab studies suggest moringa leaf extract may block a transporter called P-glycoprotein, which helps move certain drugs around your body. In theory, blocking it could let a little more of the hormones build up, which might mean a bit more of the usual side effects like nausea, breast tenderness, bloating, or spotting.

The big thing to know: this is based only on test-tube and animal research, and it has never been reported in real people. So I wouldn't lose sleep over food-style amounts. Still, if you take concentrated moringa supplements regularly, it's worth a quick mention to your pharmacist or doctor.

References
  1. Amaeze O, Marques ES, Wei W, et al. Evaluation of Nigerian Medicinal Plants Extract on Human P-glycoprotein and Cytochrome P450 Enzyme Induction: Implications for Herb-drug Interaction. Curr Drug Metab. 2021;22(14):1103-1113. PubMed
Minor

CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES

3 of 3

Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES.

Theoretically, moringa might decrease the levels and clinical effects of CYP1A2 substrates.
In vitro research shows that moringa extract induces CYP1A2 enzymes.
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 with your birth control pill (the levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol combo). Lab studies suggest moringa may speed up an enzyme called CYP1A2, which is one of the pathways that helps clear hormones like the estrogen in your pill. In theory, if that enzyme works faster, it could lower your hormone levels a bit. With birth control, anything that weakens the hormones is worth respecting, since the worst-case concern is reduced protection against pregnancy, plus possibly more breakthrough spotting.

That said, this is very early evidence (just test-tube research), and it's rated minor. Food amounts of moringa in cooking are unlikely to be a problem. If you take concentrated moringa supplements regularly, just mention it to your pharmacist or doctor so they can guide you.

References
  1. Haron MH, Dale O, Martin K, et al. Evaluation of the Herb-Drug Interaction Potential of Commonly Used Botanicals on the US Market with Regard to PXR- and AhR-Mediated Influences on CYP3A4 and CYP1A2. J Diet Suppl 2022. 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

Moringa Also Interacts With Other Medications

Moringa has 716 moderate, 152 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Levonorgestrel, 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 Moringa

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Moringa or Levonorgestrel, 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 Moringa or Levonorgestrel, 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 Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol

This page covers Moringa only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol page lists 241 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 · 197 moderate · 38 minor.

Open the Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 738 real supplement products containing Moringa, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Moringa. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol too, on top of Moringa — 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 Moringa and Levonorgestrel, 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 Moringa
Top 25%

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

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

#475 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 Moringa

What is Moringa?

  • Nutritional supplement
  • Blood sugar support
  • Cholesterol support
  • Inflammation
  • Skin conditions

Moringa is a nutrient-rich plant whose leaves are widely used as a food and supplement, especially in parts of the world where malnutrition is common. Early research hints at possible benefits for blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation, but the human evidence is limited and not strong enough to recommend it as a treatment. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using moringa, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications.

Read the full Moringa monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Moringa

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

0Major
716Moderate
152Minor
1,961No known interaction
Moderate

716 interactions

Showing 60 of 716 moderate interactions — see all 716 on the Moringa page.

Minor

152 interactions

Showing 60 of 152 minor interactions — see all 152 on the Moringa page.

No interaction 1,961 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

Keep exploring
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Moringa and Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol Together: Common Questions

Can you take Moringa with Levonorgestrel, 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 Moringa and Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?
Levonorgestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol belongs to more than one drug category, and Moringa 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 Moringa and Levonorgestrel, 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.