Medication interaction hub

What Supplements Interact with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol brand names: Ortho-Cept 28, Ortho-Cept 21, Marvelon 21, Marvelon 28, Desogen, and others. Every interaction below applies to the brands too.

246 Interactions 6 Major 201 Moderate 39 Minor
Curated & coded by · Clinical Pharmacist · Updated September 15, 2026

Drug–supplement interaction data sourced from Natural Medicines Pro, the licensed clinical database from TRC Healthcare / Therapeutic Research, with additional analysis by the HelloPharmacist Pharmacist Team. Our sources · Editorial policy

What is this page for?

One answer, for one medication: what supplements and herbal products interact with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol? Every vitamin, herb, and supplement ingredient we’ve checked against it is on this page, ranked by severity, each linking to the full report for that exact pair.

This page covers supplement interactions only — to check Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol against your other medications, use the drug–drug interaction checker. Educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice. Our editorial policy

HelloPharmacist Bottom Line
Our Pharmacist Explains
What is this? The interaction data in the HelloPharmacist supplement database is licensed from Natural Medicines Pro by TRC Healthcare (Therapeutic Research). HelloPharmacist pharmacists often add our own analysis and context on top of that licensed data — such as this Bottom Line summary and the notes on individual interaction pages — and any such commentary is noted as ours.

St. John's Wort is the supplement I would flag first for anyone on desogestrel with ethinyl estradiol (Desogen, Ortho-Cept, Marvelon). It speeds the breakdown of the hormones and can quietly make the pill less reliable. It is one of just 6 major-rated interactions among the 246 on file here, but those six warrant real caution: grapefruit pushes hormone levels up, activated charcoal can block the pill from absorbing, and heavy alcohol paired with liver-stressing herbs raises the risk of liver injury.

The 201 moderate and 39 minor entries mostly change how the liver processes the hormones in one direction or the other, and dozens carry estrogen-like activity of their own. One quirk worth knowing is that estrogen slows caffeine clearance, so your usual caffeine may hit harder and linger longer. Bulky fiber supplements can also blunt absorption, and with a contraceptive, less absorbed can mean less protected.

— , Clinical Pharmacist · July 18, 2026

Major 6 Moderate 201 Minor 39 No known interaction 1,206

This box checks one ingredient at a time (like turmeric or magnesium). Taking a supplement product with a whole label of ingredients? Search the product instead — we check every ingredient on it ↓

Most Viewed Ingredient Interactions

Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol: Top Interactions at a Glance

The Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol supplement & herbal interactions people checked most in the last 24 hours, colored by severity. Tap any ingredient to open the full report for that pair.

Showing the 12 highest-ranked of 246 interacting ingredients — plus 1,206 more checked with no known interaction. See the complete ranked list.

Start here

The Most-Checked Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol Combinations Today

The Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol + supplement pages people viewed most in the last 24 hours (resets at midnight). Open any card for the full report.

Major Likelihood Likely Grapefruit + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradioli

Grapefruit juice can increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.

Read the full interaction Minor Likelihood Possible Copper + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradioli

Theoretically, taking copper with contraceptive drugs might increase the levels and toxic effects of copper.

Read the full interaction Moderate Likelihood Probable Caffeine + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradioli

Theoretically, estrogens might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine.

Read the full interaction Moderate Likelihood Possible Cranberry + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradioli

Theoretically, cranberry might increase the levels and adverse effects of CYP3A4 substrates.

Read the full interaction Minor Likelihood Possible Passion Flower + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradioli

Theoretically, passion flower might decrease the effects of CYP3A4 substrates.

Read the full interaction Moderate Likelihood Possible Dhea + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradioli

Theoretically, DHEA might increase the levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.

Read the full interaction
The complete list

Every Supplement Checked Against Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol

All 1,452 ingredients in our database, ranked by severity — 246 with a Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol interaction on file and 1,206 with none found. Filter by severity or search any ingredient; hover the for what each ingredient is.

Looking for an interaction with a specific supplement product? Search products instead ↓

Straight answers

Can You Take It With Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

One-line answers, one card per combination — scroll through today’s 20 and tap any card for the full report. A different set rotates in daily until every combination has had its turn.

Can you take Grapefruit with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Major Use real caution — this is a major-rated interaction, generally best avoided or used only under close supervision. Grapefruit juice can increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.

Full Grapefruit + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Copper with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Minor Usually — this is a minor-rated interaction, generally not clinically significant but worth mentioning to your pharmacist. Theoretically, taking copper with contraceptive drugs might increase the levels and toxic effects of copper.

Full Copper + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Caffeine with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Moderate Possibly, but carefully — this moderate-rated combination may need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separated timing. Theoretically, estrogens might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine.

Full Caffeine + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Cranberry with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Moderate Possibly, but carefully — this moderate-rated combination may need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separated timing. Theoretically, cranberry might increase the levels and adverse effects of CYP3A4 substrates.

Full Cranberry + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Passion Flower with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Minor Usually — this is a minor-rated interaction, generally not clinically significant but worth mentioning to your pharmacist. Theoretically, passion flower might decrease the effects of CYP3A4 substrates.

Full Passion Flower + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Turpentine Oil with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Minor Usually — this is a minor-rated interaction, generally not clinically significant but worth mentioning to your pharmacist. There is some concern that turpentine oil can inhibit CYP1A2 enzyme activity by up to 90% via induction of inflammation and subsequent downr...

Full Turpentine Oil + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Siberian Cocklebur with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Major Use real caution — this is a major-rated interaction, generally best avoided or used only under close supervision. Siberian cocklebur can adversely affect the liver.

Full Siberian Cocklebur + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Activated Charcoal with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Major Use real caution — this is a major-rated interaction, generally best avoided or used only under close supervision. Activated charcoal reduces systemic exposure to many drugs, including those that undergo enterohepatic recirculation, regardless of the rout...

Full Activated Charcoal + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Beer with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Major Use real caution — this is a major-rated interaction, generally best avoided or used only under close supervision. Concomitant use of alcohol with hepatotoxic drugs may increase the risk of hepatotoxicity.

Full Beer + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take St. John's Wort with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Major Use real caution — this is a major-rated interaction, generally best avoided or used only under close supervision. St.

Full St. John's Wort + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Wine with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Major Use real caution — this is a major-rated interaction, generally best avoided or used only under close supervision. Concomitant use of alcohol with hepatotoxic drugs may increase the risk of hepatotoxicity.

Full Wine + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Black Tea with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Moderate Possibly, but carefully — this moderate-rated combination may need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separated timing. Theoretically, estrogens might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine.

Full Black Tea + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Cannabidiol (cbd) with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Moderate Possibly, but carefully — this moderate-rated combination may need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separated timing. Cannabidiol may increase levels of drugs metabolized by CYP1A2.

Full Cannabidiol (cbd) + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Cocoa with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Moderate Possibly, but carefully — this moderate-rated combination may need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separated timing. Theoretically, estrogens might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine.

Full Cocoa + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Coffee with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Moderate Possibly, but carefully — this moderate-rated combination may need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separated timing. Theoretically, estrogens might increase the levels and adverse effects of caffeine.

Full Coffee + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Coffee Charcoal with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Moderate Possibly, but carefully — this moderate-rated combination may need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separated timing. Coffee charcoal can reduce the absorption of orally administered drugs and should be separated from oral drug administration by at least two...

Full Coffee Charcoal + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Cola Nut with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Moderate Possibly, but carefully — this moderate-rated combination may need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separated timing. Theoretically, estrogens might increase the levels and adverse effects of the caffeine in cola nut.

Full Cola Nut + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take European Mandrake with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Moderate Possibly, but carefully — this moderate-rated combination may need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separated timing. Theoretically, concurrent use might increase absorption of some drugs because of inhibited gastrointestinal (GI) motility caused by European...

Full European Mandrake + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Evodia with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Moderate Possibly, but carefully — this moderate-rated combination may need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separated timing. Evodia might reduce the levels and clinical effects of CYP1A2 substrates through induction of CYP1A2.

Full Evodia + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer

Can you take Fish Oil with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?

Moderate Possibly, but carefully — this moderate-rated combination may need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separated timing. Theoretically, taking fish oil with contraceptive drugs might decrease the triglyceride-lowering effects of fish oil.

Full Fish Oil + Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol answer
Read the list like a pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

  • Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
  • Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
  • Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
  • No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

  • Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
  • Probable. 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.
  • Possible. 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
  • Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

  • Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
  • Each entry links to a full report with the clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations for that exact combination.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

How Does Our Interaction Checker Work?

Behind every verdict on this page is a category system. Our source database doesn’t document supplement interactions drug-by-drug — it documents them against groups of medications that behave the same way (for example, “drugs processed by the CYP3A4 liver enzyme” or “blood-thinning medications”).

So the check works in three steps: (1) Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol is classified into the pharmacology categories it belongs to, (2) every supplement interaction documented against any of those categories is inherited by Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol, and (3) each ingredient keeps its own severity, likelihood, and evidence grades from the underlying record. That’s why one supplement can carry several records for one drug — it may interact through more than one category.

Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol sits in 12 interaction categories. Open any one to see what the group means:

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Substrates 121 ingredients

A drug-metabolism group: these medications are processed by the named liver enzyme (a cytochrome P450). Supplements that speed this enzyme up or slow it down can lower or raise the medication's levels in your body.

121 of the supplement ingredients on this page reach Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol through this category.

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates 79 ingredients

A drug-metabolism group: these medications are processed by the named liver enzyme (a cytochrome P450). Supplements that speed this enzyme up or slow it down can lower or raise the medication's levels in your body.

79 of the supplement ingredients on this page reach Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol through this category.

Cytochrome P450 2C9 (Cyp2C9) Substrates 64 ingredients

A drug-metabolism group: these medications are processed by the named liver enzyme (a cytochrome P450). Supplements that speed this enzyme up or slow it down can lower or raise the medication's levels in your body.

64 of the supplement ingredients on this page reach Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol through this category.

Estrogens 60 ingredients

Hormone-related medications. Supplements with hormone-like activity can add to or interfere with them.

60 of the supplement ingredients on this page reach Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol through this category.

Hepatotoxic Drugs 38 ingredients

Medications with known liver considerations. Supplements that can stress the liver add to the load.

38 of the supplement ingredients on this page reach Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol through this category.

P-Glycoprotein Substrates 37 ingredients

A drug-transport group: these medications are moved in and out of cells by the P-glycoprotein pump. Supplements that affect the pump can change how much of the drug is absorbed or kept in the body.

37 of the supplement ingredients on this page reach Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol through this category.

Contraceptive Drugs 30 ingredients

A pharmacology grouping from our source database: medications in this group share a property that certain supplements are known to interact with, so an interaction documented for the group applies to every drug in it.

30 of the supplement ingredients on this page reach Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol through this category.

Oral Drugs 17 ingredients

A pharmacology grouping from our source database: medications in this group share a property that certain supplements are known to interact with, so an interaction documented for the group applies to every drug in it.

17 of the supplement ingredients on this page reach Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol through this category.

Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Cyp3A4) Inhibitors 13 ingredients

A drug-metabolism group: these medications are processed by the named liver enzyme (a cytochrome P450). Supplements that speed this enzyme up or slow it down can lower or raise the medication's levels in your body.

13 of the supplement ingredients on this page reach Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol through this category.

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Inhibitors 10 ingredients

A drug-metabolism group: these medications are processed by the named liver enzyme (a cytochrome P450). Supplements that speed this enzyme up or slow it down can lower or raise the medication's levels in your body.

10 of the supplement ingredients on this page reach Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol through this category.

Ethinyl Estradiol 3 ingredients

A pharmacology grouping from our source database: medications in this group share a property that certain supplements are known to interact with, so an interaction documented for the group applies to every drug in it.

3 of the supplement ingredients on this page reach Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol through this category.

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (Cyp1A2) Substrates 1 ingredient

A drug-metabolism group: these medications are processed by the named liver enzyme (a cytochrome P450). Supplements that speed this enzyme up or slow it down can lower or raise the medication's levels in your body.

1 of the supplement ingredient on this page reaches Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol through this category.

Related: does Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol deplete any nutrients?

Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol has 56 reported nutrient associations in the research literature — see the Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol nutrient depletion report.

Check a real product

Take a Supplement Product? Check the Whole Bottle Against Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol

Most supplements are combination products — and the interaction may come from an ingredient you didn’t buy it for. Search any product below (or scan its label) and we’ll check every ingredient on it against Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol.

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol & Supplements: Common Questions

What supplements interact with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?
Our database currently documents 246 ingredients with a known Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol interaction (6 major, 201 moderate, 39 minor). The practical move: scan the major group first, then look up the exact supplements you take rather than reading all 246. The highest-ranked right now: Grapefruit, Siberian Cocklebur, Activated Charcoal.
Which Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol supplement interactions are the most serious?
Focus on the major group: Grapefruit, Siberian Cocklebur, Activated Charcoal, Beer and St. John's Wort, among others. A major rating means the combination can be clinically significant, not that harm is guaranteed — but it's exactly the kind of thing to run past your pharmacist before your next dose, not after. Jump to the ranked list.
Can I take vitamins or supplements while on Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?
Plenty of supplements coexist fine with Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol; a shorter list does not. Rather than memorizing it, check the specific ingredients on your labels — the ranked list above covers every one we've checked, and multi-ingredient products can be checked label-by-label with our scanner. Try the label scanner or the interaction checker.
Do brands like Ortho-Cept 28 have the same supplement interactions as Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol?
Yes — Ortho-Cept 28, Ortho-Cept 21, Marvelon 21, Marvelon 28, Desogen and other brands all contain Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol, so everything on this page applies to them equally. Interactions belong to the active drug, never to the brand on the box; the same is true of generics.
Where do these interaction ratings come from?
Every rating comes from the Natural Medicines database — the same evidence-graded reference pharmacists and hospitals use — and each interaction carries three separate grades: severity (how bad it can be), likelihood (how well it's documented in studies and case reports), and an evidence level. Our pharmacists review the content; we never let an AI decide an interaction. See how to read the ratings and our editorial policy.
Does Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol deplete any vitamins or nutrients?
It might — Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol has 56 reported nutrient-depletion associations in the research literature, which is a different question from interactions: instead of a supplement changing the drug, the drug may lower a nutrient over time. See the Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol nutrient depletion report for the specifics and what to discuss with your pharmacist.
What about Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol and my other medications?
This page covers Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol against supplements and herbal ingredients. Checking Desogestrel, Ethinyl Estradiol against your other prescription or OTC medications is a different tool — our drug interaction checker covers that side. Head to the drug–drug interaction checker.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Sourcing

Where This Data Comes From — and Why You Can Trust It

🧪 Licensed clinical database

Every interaction verdict on this page comes from Natural Medicines Pro (TRC Healthcare / Therapeutic Research) — the same evidence-graded reference used by pharmacists and hospitals. We license this data directly; we do not scrape it, and no AI invents an interaction.

🧑‍⚕️ Pharmacist review

This page is curated and coded by , Clinical Pharmacist, with additional analysis by the HelloPharmacist Pharmacist Team. Editorial commentary is ours; the licensed interaction records are shown as sourced.

🔄 Kept current

Our interaction database refreshes on a weekly cycle, and this page re-checks the live database every time it’s rebuilt — what you see reflects the database as of September 15, 2026.

🔍 Full transparency

How every dataset on this site is sourced, licensed, and updated is documented publicly: our data sources · editorial policy · how we use AI.

Educational information, not medical advice. An interaction being on file does not mean it will happen to you — and absence of one is not proof of safety. Never start or stop a medication or supplement without talking to your pharmacist or doctor.