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Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol)

Hormonal Contraceptiveprescriptionoral · inferred

Combined OC with norgestimate (low-androgenic progestin). Brands: Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Sprintec. Norgestimate is rapidly converted to norelgestromin (active metabolite, t1/2 ~17h). Commonly prescribed for acne in addition to contraception.

Projected serum levels — 1 pill (≈ 0.28 mg), once daily

Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol)
Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol) modeled serum levels, 1 pill (≈ 0.28 mg) once daily over 15 days Population-based pharmacokinetic estimate. Steady state reached after approximately 1 days. 0 0.25 0.50 0.75 1 Day 0 Day 4 Day 8 Day 11 Day 15 Time on a regular schedule ≈ steady state · day 1

Maintenance schedule: 1 pill (≈ 0.28 mg) once daily (oral).

Modeled steady state after ~1 days: peak ≈ 0.11 mg, trough ≈ 0.006 mg body load. Population-based estimate over 15 days for a reference dose at a 70 kg reference body mass — the interactive app scales curves to your doses, timing, and body mass.

Key facts

Category
Hormonal Contraceptive
Route modeled
Oral
Model confidence
inferred
Half-life
4.9 h
Common dose
1 pill (≈ 0.28 mg)
Suggested maximum
1 pill/day
Reference dose range
0.50–1 pill (single dose)
Suggested cadence
once daily

Documented interactions

  • contraindicated
    Efavirenz (Sustiva) + Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol) CYP induction

    Efavirenz (Sustiva) inducer of CYP3A4 predicted to change Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol) AUC by ~0.19x

  • contraindicated
    Rifampin + Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol) CYP induction

    Rifampin inducer of CYP3A4 predicted to change Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol) AUC by ~0.19x

  • danger
    Carbamazepine (Tegretol) + Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol) CYP induction

    Carbamazepine (Tegretol) inducer of CYP3A4 predicted to change Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol) AUC by ~0.29x

  • danger
    Clarithromycin (Biaxin) + Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol) CYP inhibition

    Clarithromycin (Biaxin) mechanism_based of CYP3A4 predicted to change Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol) AUC by ~2.17x

  • danger
    Combined OC (Levonorgestrel / Ethinyl Estradiol) + Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol) Stacked effects

    Combined OC (Levonorgestrel / Ethinyl Estradiol) and Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol) both push the androgen receptor, estrogen receptor alpha, and progesterone receptor in the same…

  • danger
    Diltiazem + Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol) CYP inhibition

    Diltiazem mechanism_based of CYP3A4 predicted to change Combined OC (Norgestimate / Ethinyl Estradiol) AUC by ~2.17x

Serum checks 132 modeled interaction pairings for combined oc (norgestimate / ethinyl estradiol) across your whole stack — absorption conflicts, enzyme inhibition, and nutrient depletion included.

Research behind this entry

  1. A Randomized Trial of the Effects of Two Oral Contraceptives on Acne Redmond GP et al. · Obstetrics & Gynecology, 1997 DOI

    RCT demonstrating norgestimate/EE significantly reduced acne lesions compared to placebo, establishing dual contraceptive/dermatologic indication.

  2. Norgestimate and Ethinyl Estradiol in the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris Lucky AW et al. · American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1997 DOI

    Confirmed norgestimate/EE reduces inflammatory and total acne lesion counts by 50-60% vs placebo over 6 cycles.

  3. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Norgestimate-Containing Oral Contraceptives Fotherby K · Contraception, 1996 DOI

    PK review showing norgestimate is a prodrug converting to norelgestromin and levonorgestrel, with high oral bioavailability and low androgenic activity.

3 published studies referenced in the app, each with a plain-language summary.