St. John's Wort + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol
Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol brand names: Ortho-Cept 28, Ortho-Cept 21, Marvelon 21, Marvelon 28, Desogen, and others.
Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol falls into 5 drug categories that St. John's Wort can interact with; the most serious is rated major. St. John's wort increases the metabolism and reduces the levels of CYP3A4 substrates.
Read the full interaction reportSt. John's Wort and Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol
These two interact in 5 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 5 Interactions?
St. John's Wort interacts with whole categories of medication. Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol falls into 5 of those categories, so it can interact with St. John's Wort in 5 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Major).
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES
1 of 5Why this applies to Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol
Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES — the group St. John's Wort interacts with.
St. John's wort induces CYP3A4 enzymes and increases metabolism of CYP3A4 substrates. Clinically significant interactions have been reported with St. John's wort products containing hyperforin 1 mg or more.
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 key thing to know if you take this birth control pill: the hormones in it (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol) are broken down by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. St. John's wort revs up that enzyme, so your body clears the hormones faster and their levels drop. In plain terms, this herb can make your pill less reliable at preventing pregnancy.
This isn't just theory. Real-world reports include breakthrough bleeding (spotting between periods) and unplanned pregnancies in women using both together. That's why it's rated a major interaction. If you're relying on this pill for birth control, please talk with your pharmacist or doctor before adding St. John's wort, or ask about a backup method like condoms. Don't stop either one on your own.
- Henderson L, Yue QY, Bergquist C, et al. St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum): drug interactions and clinical outcomes. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2002;54:349-56..
- Markowitz JS, Donovan JL, DeVane CL, et al. Effect of St. John's wort on drug metabolism by induction of cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme. JAMA 2003;290:1500-4.. PubMed
- Gurley BJ, Gardner SF, Hubbard MA, et al. Cytochrome P450 phenotypic ratios for predicting herb-drug interactions in humans. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2002;72:276-87.. PubMed
- Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Hana J, et al. In vitro inhibition of human cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of marker substrates by natural products. Phytomedicine 2003;10:334-42.. PubMed
- Komoroski BJ, Zhang S, Cai H, et al. Induction and inhibition of cytochromes P450 by the St. John's wort constituent hyperforin in human hepatocyte cultures. Drug Metab Dispos 2004;32:512-8. PubMed
- Smith M, Lin KM, and Zheng YP. PIII-89 an open trial of nifedipine-herb interactions: Nifedipine with St. John's wort, ginseng or ginkgo biloba. Clin Pharm Ther 2001;69:P86.
- Kawaguchi, A., Ohmori, M., Tsuruoka, S., Nishiki, K., Harada, K., Miyamori, I., Yano, R., Nakamura, T., Masada, M., and Fujimura, A. Drug interaction between St John's Wort and quazepam. Br.J.Clin Pharmacol. 2004;58(4):403-410. PubMed
- Dresser, G. K., Schwarz, U. I., Wilkinson, G. R., and Kim, R. B. Coordinate induction of both cytochrome P4503A and MDR1 by St John's wort in healthy subjects. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2003;73(1):41-50. PubMed
- Patel, J., Buddha, B., Dey, S., Pal, D., and Mitra, A. K. In vitro interaction of the HIV protease inhibitor ritonavir with herbal constituents: changes in P-gp and CYP3A4 activity. Am.J.Ther. 2004;11(4):262-277. PubMed
- Izzo, A. A. and Ernst, E. Interactions between herbal medicines and prescribed drugs: an updated systematic review. Drugs 2009;69(13):1777-1798. PubMed
- Chrubasik-Hausmann S, Vlachojannis J, McLachlan AJ. Understanding drug interactions with St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.): impact of hyperforin content. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2018.
- 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
- Pochet S, Lechon AS, Lescrainier C, et al. Herb-anticancer drug interactions in real life based on VigiBase, the WHO global database. Sci Rep 2022;12(1):14178. PubMed
- Gümüs KS, Teegelbekkers A, Sauter M, et al. Effect of Tacrolimus Formulation (Prolonged-Release vs Immediate-Release) on Its Susceptibility to Drug-Drug Interactions with St. John's Wort. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev 2024. PubMed
P-GLYCOPROTEIN SUBSTRATES
2 of 5Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol also falls under P-GLYCOPROTEIN SUBSTRATES.
St. John's wort induces P-glycoprotein. P-glycoprotein is a carrier mechanism responsible for transporting drugs and other substances across cell membranes. When P-glycoprotein is induced in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, it can prevent the absorption of some medications. In addition, induction of p-glycoprotein can decrease entry of drugs into the central nervous system (CNS) and decrease access to other sites of action.
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 bottom line with your birth control pill (Desogen, Ortho-Cept, and similar combinations of desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol). St. John's wort speeds up the systems your body uses to clear hormones, including a transporter called P-glycoprotein and certain liver enzymes. The result is lower hormone levels in your blood, which can make the pill less reliable at preventing pregnancy.
In real life, that can show up as breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods, and more importantly, an increased chance of an unplanned pregnancy. This is a well-recognized, major concern, not just a theory. Please don't stop either one on your own, but do talk with your pharmacist or doctor first. They may suggest a backup method or a different option while you sort this out.
- Johne A, Brockmoller J, Bauer S, et al. Pharmacokinetic interaction of digoxin with an herbal extract from St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). Clin Pharmacol Ther 1999;66:338-45.
- Durr D, Stieger B, Kullak-Ublick GA, et al. St. John's Wort induces intestinal P-glycoprotein/MDR1 and intestinal and hepatic CYP3A4. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2000;68:598-604. PubMed
- Hennessy M, Kelleher D, Spiers JP, et al. St Johns wort increases expression of P-glycoprotein: implications for drug interactions. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2002;53:75-82.
- Kim RB. Drugs as P-glycoprotein substrates, inhibitors, and inducers. Drug Metab Rev 2002;34:47-54. PubMed
CONTRACEPTIVE DRUGS
3 of 5Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol also falls under CONTRACEPTIVE DRUGS.
Females taking St. John's wort and oral contraceptives concurrently should use an additional or alternative form of birth control. St. John's wort can decrease norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol levels by 13% to 15%, resulting in breakthrough bleeding, irregular menstrual bleeding, or unplanned pregnancy. Bleeding irregularities usually occur within a week of starting St. John's wort and regular cycles usually return when St. John's wort is discontinued. Unplanned pregnancy has occurred with concurrent use of oral contraceptives and St. John's wort extract. St. John's wort is thought to induce the cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2), 2C9 (CYP2C9), and 3A4 (CYP3A4) enzymes, which are responsible for metabolism of progestins and estrogens in contraceptives.
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 key thing with your birth control pill (Desogen, Ortho-Cept, Marvelon). St. John's wort speeds up the liver enzymes, mainly CYP3A4, that break down the hormones in your pill, the desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol. When those hormones get cleared out faster, their levels drop, and your pill simply doesn't work as reliably.
In real terms, that can mean breakthrough bleeding or spotting between periods, irregular cycles, and most importantly a real risk of unplanned pregnancy. This isn't just theory, it's been seen in people. The spotting often shows up within a week of starting the herb. Please don't stop either one on your own, but do talk with your pharmacist or doctor. Many will suggest adding a backup method like condoms while you're on St. John's wort.
- Yue QY, Bergquist C, Gerden B. Safety of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum). Lancet 2000;355:576-7. PubMed
- Gorski JC, Hamman MA, Wang Z, et al. The effect of St. John's wort on the efficacy of oral contraceptives (abstract MPI-80). Clin Pharmacol Ther 2001;71:P25.
- Henderson L, Yue QY, Bergquist C, et al. St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum): drug interactions and clinical outcomes. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2002;54:349-56..
- Schwarz UI, Buschel B, Kirch W. Unwanted pregnancy on self-medication with St John's wort despite hormonal contraception. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2003;55:112-3. PubMed
- Pfrunder A, Schiesser M, Gerber S, et al. Interaction of St John's wort with low-dose oral contraceptive therapy: a randomized controlled trial. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2003;56:683-90. PubMed
- Hall SD, Wang Z, Huang SM, et al. The interaction between St John's wort and an oral contraceptive. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2003;74:525-35. PubMed
- Murphy PA, Kern SE, Stanczyk FZ, Westhoff CL. Interaction of St. John's Wort with oral contraceptives: effects on the pharmacokinetics of norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol, ovarian activity and breakthrough bleeding. Contraception 2005;71:402-8. PubMed
CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES
4 of 5Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES.
Clinical and in vitro research shows that St. John's wort induces CYP1A2, but to a lesser extent than CYP3A4.
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.
Here's the practical concern: St. John's wort speeds up some of the liver enzymes that clear your birth control hormones (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol). When those hormones get broken down faster, their blood levels can drop. For a contraceptive, that's a real issue because lower levels can mean breakthrough bleeding or spotting and, more importantly, reduced protection against pregnancy.
This isn't just theory. St. John's wort is well known to lower the effectiveness of hormonal birth control, which is why I'd flag this pair right away. If you take this pill, please don't add St. John's wort without checking first. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor, since you may need a backup method or a different option entirely.
- Henderson L, Yue QY, Bergquist C, et al. St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum): drug interactions and clinical outcomes. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2002;54:349-56..
- Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Hana J, et al. In vitro inhibition of human cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of marker substrates by natural products. Phytomedicine 2003;10:334-42.. PubMed
- Van Strater, A. C. and Bogers, J. P. Interaction of St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) with clozapine. Int.Clin.Psychopharmacol. 2012;27(2):121-124. PubMed
- 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
CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES
5 of 5Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) SUBSTRATES.
There is contradictory research about the effect of St. John's wort on CYP2C9. Some in vitro research shows that St. John's wort induces CYP2C9, but to a lesser extent than CYP3A4. St. John's wort also induces metabolism of the S-warfarin isomer, which is a CYP2C9 substrate. Other research shows that St. John's wort 300 mg three times daily for 21 days does not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of a single 400 mg dose of ibuprofen, which is also a CYP2C9 substrate. Until more is known, use St. John's wort cautiously in patients who are taking CYP2C9 substrates.
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.
Here's the bottom line with your birth control pill (Desogen/Ortho-Cept): St. John's wort tends to speed up the enzymes that clear hormones from your body. When those hormone levels drop, the pill can become less reliable. That means a real risk of breakthrough bleeding or spotting, and more importantly, a higher chance of an unintended pregnancy.
While the specific note on file here is about one enzyme pathway (CYP2C9) where the evidence is mixed, St. John's wort is well known for lowering the effectiveness of combined birth control pills overall. This is one of the better-documented reasons not to pair the two. Please don't stop either one on your own, but do talk with your pharmacist or doctor. They may suggest a backup method or a different option.
- Henderson L, Yue QY, Bergquist C, et al. St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum): drug interactions and clinical outcomes. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2002;54:349-56..
- Foster BC, Vandenhoek S, Hana J, et al. In vitro inhibition of human cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of marker substrates by natural products. Phytomedicine 2003;10:334-42.. PubMed
- Komoroski BJ, Zhang S, Cai H, et al. Induction and inhibition of cytochromes P450 by the St. John's wort constituent hyperforin in human hepatocyte cultures. Drug Metab Dispos 2004;32:512-8. PubMed
- Jiang X, Williams KM, Liauw WS, et al. Effect of St John's wort and ginseng on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy subjects. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2004;57:592-9. PubMed
- Bell EC, Ravis WR, Lloyd KB, Stokes TJ. Effects of St. John's wort supplementation on ibuprofen pharmacokinetics. Ann Pharmacother 2007;41:229-34. 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.
St. John's Wort Also Interacts With Other Medications
St. John's Wort has 754 major, 388 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.
Check Another of Your Medications Against St. John's Wort
We haven’t checked that one against St. John's Wort yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against St. John's Wort. Pick one to open its full report.
Questions About St. John's Wort or Desogestrel, 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 St. John's Wort or Desogestrel, 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:
- Is St. John's Wort Safe To Take With Diovan (Valsartan)? ›
- How Can You Switch From Zoloft To St. John's Wort? ›
- Is Tylenol Safe To Take With St. John's Wort? ›
- Can You Take St. John's Wort With Prozac? ›
Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol
This page covers St. John's Wort only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol page lists 246 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 Wine (major).
By severity: 6 major · 201 moderate · 39 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol page
“St. John's Wort is the supplement I would flag first for anyone on desogestrel with ethinyl estradiol (Desogen, Ortho-Cept, Marvelon).”
Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026
Taking St. John's Wort as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions
We hold 1,159 real supplement products containing St. John's Wort, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides St. John's Wort. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol too, on top of St. John's Wort — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:
Where St. John's Wort and Desogestrel, 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.
#157 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#270 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 St. John's Wort
What is St. John's Wort?
- Mild to moderate depression
- Anxiety and stress
- Sleep problems
- Menopausal symptoms
- Wound healing (topical)
St. John's wort is a well-studied herb most often used for mild to moderate depression, and some research suggests it may help with this. However, it has many serious interactions with prescription medicines and is not safe for everyone, so always talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking it.
Other Drugs & St. John's Wort
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against St. John's Wort — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
754 interactions
- Diltiazem ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Pancrelipase (prescription Drug) ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Minocycline ›
- Tetracycline ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Ranitidine ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Oxycodone ›
- Phenytoin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Triamcinolone ›
- Apomorphine ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Miconazole ›
- Morphine Sulfate ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Conjugated Estrogens ›
- Diazepam ›
- Everolimus ›
- Ivabradine ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Medroxyprogesterone ›
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ›
- Rifampin ›
- Testosterone Undecanoate ›
- Aripiprazole ›
- Betamethasone ›
- Caffeine (otc Drug) ›
- Ciclesonide ›
- Cimetidine ›
- Clonazepam ›
- Cyclobenzaprine ›
- Dapsone ›
- Digoxin ›
- Doxycycline Hyclate ›
- Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate ›
Showing 60 of 754 major interactions — see all 754 on the St. John's Wort page.
388 interactions
- Diclofenac Sodium ›
- Theophylline ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Diphenhydramine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Naproxen ›
- Propranolol ›
- Hydrochlorothiazide ›
- Glyburide ›
- Bupropion ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Flurbiprofen ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Orphenadrine ›
- Diclofenac Potassium ›
- Formoterol ›
- Indomethacin ›
- Phenylephrine ›
- Procainamide ›
- Tazarotene ›
- Trimipramine ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Etodolac ›
- Griseofulvin ›
- Ketoprofen ›
- Lofepramine ›
- Meloxicam ›
- Nortriptyline ›
- Ofloxacin ›
- Selegiline ›
- Sumatriptan Succinate ›
- Topiramate ›
- Tretinoin ›
- Trichlormethiazide ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Bendamustine ›
- Bendroflumethiazide ›
- Desipramine ›
- Doxepin ›
- Duloxetine ›
- Fluphenazine ›
- Interferon Alfa-2b ›
- Interferon Beta-1b ›
- Levofloxacin ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Metoclopramide ›
- Metolazone ›
- Paroxetine ›
- Riluzole ›
- Sulfasalazine ›
- Valproic Acid ›
- Vortioxetine ›
- Acetazolamide ›
- Aminolevulinic Acid Hydrochloride ›
- Asenapine ›
- Brompheniramine ›
- Captopril ›
- Carisoprodol ›
- Carvedilol ›
- Celecoxib ›
Showing 60 of 388 moderate interactions — see all 388 on the St. John's Wort page.
No interaction 1,687 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked St. John's Wort against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Levothyroxine ›
- Metoprolol ›
- Aspirin ›
- Docusate ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Metformin ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Bisoprolol ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium ›
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Mannitol ›
- Roxithromycin ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Acetylsalicylic Acid ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Spironolactone ›
- Pizotifen ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Pegunigalsidase Alfa-iwxj ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Levodopa ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Flutemetamol F-18 ›
- Magnesium Hydroxide (otc Drug) ›
- Bentoquatam ›
- Canagliflozin, Metformin ›
- Insulin Degludec, Liraglutide ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Factor 7a ›
- Azelaic Acid ›
- Alglucosidase Alpha ›
- Hethylphenidate Hcl ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Salbutamol Sulfate ›
- Amobarbital, Ephedrine Sulfate ›
- Lenvatinib ›
- Tocainide ›
- Insulin Human, Sodium Chloride ›
- Hydroxychloroquine ›
- Atenolol ›
- Ribavirin Aerosol ›
- Casanthranol, Docusate ›
- Rocuronium ›
- Vancomycin ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,687 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full St. John's Wort 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
Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol Is Linked to Lower Levels of 7 Nutrients
Natural Medicines records Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with St. John's Wort — 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 Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol 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 St. John's Wort and Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol Together: Common Questions
Can you take St. John's Wort with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?
Why are there 5 interactions listed for St. John's Wort and Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?
How serious is the St. John's Wort and Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol interaction?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Still Have a Question About Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol and St. John's Wort?
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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.