Thunder God Vine + 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 Thunder God Vine can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, thunder god vine might increase the levels and clinical effects of CYP1A2 substrates.
Read the full interaction reportThunder God Vine and Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate
These two interact in 3 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 3 Interactions?
Thunder God Vine interacts with whole categories of medication. Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate falls into 3 of those categories, so it can interact with Thunder God Vine in 3 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).
CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES
1 of 3Why this applies to Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate
Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate falls under CYTOCHROME P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) SUBSTRATES — the group Thunder God Vine interacts with.
In vitro research shows that triptolide, a constituent of thunder god vine, inhibits CYP1A2 enzymes in human microsomes. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
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 gist for your birth control pill (the ethinyl estradiol part). Thunder God Vine contains a compound called triptolide that, in lab dish studies only, slowed down a liver enzyme called CYP1A2. Since some of the estrogen in your pill is handled by that enzyme, the theory is that the herb could let estrogen levels drift a little higher. That might mean more of the usual estrogen-related complaints, like nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, or bloating.
I want to be honest about how thin this is. It's purely theoretical, based on test-tube work, and has never actually been seen in real people. It does not mean your pill becomes weaker or stops preventing pregnancy. Because Thunder God Vine can be genuinely toxic on its own, please only use it with a doctor's guidance, and run it past your pharmacist first.
- Song W, Liu M, Wu J, Zhai H, Chen Y, Peng Z. Preclinical Pharmacokinetics of Triptolide: A Potential Antitumor Drug. Curr Drug Metab. 2019;20(2):147-154. PubMed
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) INHIBITORS
2 of 3Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) INHIBITORS.
Inhibitors of CYP3A4 can increase the concentration of triptolide, a thunder god vine constituent, and its derivative (5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide. In vitro research shows that triptolide and (5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide are about 94% and 64% metabolized by CYP3A4, respectively.
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 angle that matters with your birth control pill. The estrogen part, ethinyl estradiol, can gently block the liver enzyme CYP3A4. Thunder God Vine leans on that same enzyme to break down its active compounds, like triptolide. So when you take them together, your pill could slow the clearance of the herb, letting its levels climb a bit higher than expected.
Why care? Thunder God Vine can already cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and at higher levels more serious toxicity, so a small bump in its concentration could mean more of those effects. This is a theoretical concern based on lab data, not confirmed cases, so don't panic. Still, because this herb can be risky, please run this combination past your doctor or pharmacist first.
- Xu Y, Zhang YF, Chen XY, Zhong DF. CYP3A4 inducer and inhibitor strongly affect the pharmacokinetics of triptolide and its derivative in rats. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2018;39(8):1386-1392. PubMed
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES
3 of 3Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro research shows that triptolide, a constituent of thunder god vine, inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes in human microsomes. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
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 contains ethinyl estradiol, which your liver clears using an enzyme called CYP3A4. Lab studies suggest a compound in Thunder God Vine (triptolide) may slow that same enzyme down. In theory, that could let estrogen levels drift a bit higher, which might mean more of the usual hormone-related complaints like nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, or breakthrough spotting.
Here's the honest part: this is only seen in test-tube research and has never been reported in real people, so I wouldn't lose sleep over it. The bigger worry with Thunder God Vine is its own toxicity. Since this herb really should only be used under a doctor's eye, please loop in your pharmacist or prescriber before combining the two.
- Song W, Liu M, Wu J, Zhai H, Chen Y, Peng Z. Preclinical Pharmacokinetics of Triptolide: A Potential Antitumor Drug. Curr Drug Metab. 2019;20(2):147-154. 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.
Thunder God Vine Also Interacts With Other Medications
Thunder God Vine has 848 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 Thunder God Vine
We haven’t checked that one against Thunder God Vine yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Thunder God Vine. Pick one to open its full report.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate
This page covers Thunder God Vine 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
Where Thunder God Vine 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.
#934 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#177 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 Thunder God Vine
What is Thunder God Vine?
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus and autoimmune conditions
- Inflammation
- Skin conditions like psoriasis
- Immune-related disorders
Thunder God Vine is a Chinese herb studied mainly for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions, with some promising but limited evidence. It can be toxic if prepared or dosed improperly, and may cause serious side effects, so it should only be used under medical supervision. Avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Other Drugs & Thunder God Vine
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Thunder God Vine — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
848 interactions
- Diltiazem ›
- Theophylline ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Metronidazole ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Naproxen ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Propranolol ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Triamcinolone ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Miconazole ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Conjugated Estrogens ›
- Diazepam ›
- Everolimus ›
- Ivabradine ›
- Lofepramine ›
- Medroxyprogesterone ›
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ›
- Nortriptyline ›
- Rifampin ›
- Testosterone Undecanoate ›
- Aripiprazole ›
- Bendamustine ›
- Betamethasone ›
- Caffeine (otc Drug) ›
- Ciclesonide ›
- Cimetidine ›
- Clonazepam ›
- Cyclobenzaprine ›
- Dapsone ›
- Desipramine ›
- Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate ›
- Erythromycin Stearate ›
- Etoposide ›
Showing 60 of 848 moderate interactions — see all 848 on the Thunder God Vine page.
No interaction 1,981 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Thunder God Vine against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Levothyroxine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Aspirin ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Metoprolol ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Methamphetamine ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Docusate ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Metformin ›
- Lisdexamfetamine ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Bupropion ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Dextroamphetamine ›
- Duloxetine ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Bisoprolol ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium ›
- Acetylsalicylic Acid ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Mannitol ›
- Insulin Degludec, Liraglutide ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Levodopa ›
- Spironolactone ›
- Valsartan ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Canagliflozin, Metformin ›
- Venlafaxine ›
- Alginic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide ›
- Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Atenolol ›
- Magnesium Hydroxide (otc Drug) ›
- Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide ›
- Minoxidil ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,981 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Thunder God Vine 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 Thunder God Vine — 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 Thunder God Vine and Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate Together: Common Questions
Can you take Thunder God Vine with Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate?
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Thunder God Vine and Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate?
How serious is the Thunder God Vine and Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate interaction?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Still Have a Question About Ethinyl Estradiol, Ethynodiol Diacetate and Thunder God Vine?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
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.