Thunder God Vine + Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol
Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol brand names: Ortho Evra, Evra.
Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol 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 Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol
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. Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol 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 Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol
Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol 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 Ortho Evra patch (norelgestromin plus ethinyl estradiol). One compound in Thunder God Vine, called triptolide, has been shown in test-tube studies to slow down a liver enzyme called CYP1A2. Since ethinyl estradiol is partly handled by that enzyme, blocking it could, in theory, let estrogen levels creep up a bit. That might mean more of the usual estrogen-type side effects, like nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, or bloating.
I want to be honest, though: this is a theoretical concern based only on lab work, not something reported in real people. The bigger issue is that Thunder God Vine itself can be genuinely toxic if used wrong. Please loop in your doctor or pharmacist 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
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) INHIBITORS
2 of 3Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol 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 to keep in mind with the Ortho Evra (Evra) patch and Thunder God Vine. The estrogen part of your birth control, ethinyl estradiol, can act as a mild blocker of an enzyme called CYP3A4. That same enzyme is what your body uses to clear the active compounds in Thunder God Vine (triptolide and a related substance). So in theory, your patch could slow that breakdown and let those herb compounds build up a bit higher than expected.
This matters because Thunder God Vine can already be hard on the body (liver issues, stomach upset, and other serious effects if dosed wrong). Stronger levels could mean more of those problems, not a change in your birth control itself. This is a theoretical concern, but since the herb is risky to begin with, please loop in your doctor or pharmacist before combining them.
- 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 3Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol 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.
The patch you're using (Ortho Evra) delivers two hormones, norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol, and your body clears them partly through a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. In lab dish studies, a compound in Thunder God Vine appears to slow that enzyme down. If that happened in real life, your hormone levels could drift a little higher, which might mean more of the usual estrogen-related complaints like nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, bloating, or spotting.
Here's the honest part: this is purely theoretical, based on test-tube research, and it has never actually been reported in people. So I wouldn't lose sleep over it, but since Thunder God Vine itself can be toxic if dosed wrong, please loop in your doctor or pharmacist 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 Norelgestromin, 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 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 Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol
This page covers Thunder God Vine only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol page lists 203 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.
The most serious there right now: Grapefruit (major), St. John's Wort (major), Acacia Rigidula (moderate), Activated Charcoal (moderate) and Adrafinil (moderate).
By severity: 2 major · 168 moderate · 33 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol page
“St. John's wort is the first entry to check if you wear the Ortho Evra patch (norelgestromin and ethinyl estradiol).”
Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026
Where Thunder God Vine and Norelgestromin, 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.
#886 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#1,085 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 ›
- Metoprolol ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Methamphetamine ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Docusate ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Metformin ›
- Lisdexamfetamine ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Bupropion ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Dextroamphetamine ›
- Duloxetine ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Bisoprolol ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Acetylsalicylic Acid ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine ›
- Mannitol ›
- Spironolactone ›
- Levodopa ›
- Valsartan ›
- Phentermine, Topiramate ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Venlafaxine ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Atenolol ›
- Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide ›
- Insulin Degludec, Liraglutide ›
- Canagliflozin, Metformin ›
- Minoxidil ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Cefaclor ›
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
Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol Is Linked to Lower Levels of 7 Nutrients
Natural Medicines records Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol 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 Norelgestromin, 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 Thunder God Vine and Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol Together: Common Questions
Can you take Thunder God Vine with Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol?
Why are there 3 interactions listed for Thunder God Vine and Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol?
How serious is the Thunder God Vine and Norelgestromin, Ethinyl Estradiol 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.