Angeliq

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

The following medicines may potentially reduce the blood levels and effect of this medicine, which could result in recurrence of symptoms or irregular bleeding:

- antiepileptic medicines such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital and primidone
- barbiturates such as amobarbital
- nevirapine or efavirenz for HIV infection
- protease inhibitors for HIV infection such as ritonavir and nelfinavir
- rifamycin antibiotics such as rifabutin and rifampicin
- the herbal remedy St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum).

Oestrogens may increase the blood level of ropinirole used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Some women with diabetes may need small adjustments in their dose of insulin or antidiabetic tablets while taking this medicine. You should monitor your blood sugar and seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist if your blood sugar control seems to be altered after starting this medicine.

In some people (ususally those with kidney problems) drospirenone may cause an increase in the amount of potassium in your blood. There may be an increased chance of this if Angeliq is taken in combination with any of the following, which can also cause a rise in blood potassium:

- ACE inhibitors, eg enalapril, captopril, lisinopril
- angiotensin II antagonists, eg losartan
- ciclosporin
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), eg indometacin, diclofenac
- potassium-sparing diuretics, eg amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene
- potassium-containing salt substitutes
- potassium supplements.

If you are taking any of the above, you should have a blood test during your first month of treatment with Angeliq to check your blood potassium level has not risen, particularly if you also have any kidney problems.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients

There are currently no other medicines available in the UK that contain estradiol and drospirenone.

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