Learn which medications, supplements, and foods interact with Turqoz 28 Day. Know what can reduce effectiveness and what to tell your doctor.
When you take Turqoz 28 Day alongside other medications, supplements, or even certain foods, the interactions can reduce your birth control's effectiveness or increase health risks. Understanding these interactions helps you stay protected and avoid complications.
This guide covers the major and moderate drug interactions for Turqoz 28 Day, based on FDA labeling and prescribing information.
Turqoz 28 Day contains two hormones — Norgestrel (a progestin) and Ethinyl Estradiol (an estrogen). Drug interactions can affect these hormones in two main ways:
These interactions are the most important to know about. Some require using backup contraception, while others mean you should not take Turqoz 28 Day at all.
Turqoz 28 Day should not be taken with Hepatitis C drug combinations containing Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir (with or without Dasabuvir). Brand names include Viekira Pak and Technivie. This combination can cause dangerously elevated liver enzymes (ALT levels). This is a hard contraindication — if you need these Hepatitis C medications, you must use a different form of contraception.
Several seizure medications speed up the breakdown of the hormones in Turqoz 28 Day, reducing its effectiveness:
If you take any of these medications, your doctor may recommend a non-oral contraceptive method (like an IUD) or adding backup contraception.
Rifampin (Rifadin) and Rifabutin (Mycobutin) are antibiotics used primarily for tuberculosis (TB). Rifampin is one of the strongest reducers of oral contraceptive effectiveness — it can make birth control pills nearly useless. If you need Rifampin, you should use a completely different form of contraception.
Some HIV medications can alter hormone levels when taken with oral contraceptives. Specific drugs include Ritonavir (Norvir), Nelfinavir (Viracept), and others in this class. Your HIV specialist and gynecologist should coordinate your medications carefully.
Bosentan (Tracleer), used for pulmonary arterial hypertension, reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Backup or alternative contraception is needed.
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is an herbal supplement commonly used for mild depression. It significantly reduces the effectiveness of Turqoz 28 Day by speeding up hormone metabolism. Do not take St. John's Wort while on Turqoz 28 Day.
These interactions are less severe but still worth knowing about and discussing with your doctor.
While the effect is debated and likely small, some antibiotics may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives:
The evidence for most common antibiotics (like Amoxicillin or Azithromycin) reducing birth control effectiveness is weak. However, if you're concerned, using backup contraception during a course of antibiotics is a reasonable precaution.
This interaction goes both ways. Turqoz 28 Day can reduce Lamotrigine levels in your blood, potentially reducing seizure control. If you take Lamotrigine, your neurologist may need to adjust your dose when you start or stop Turqoz 28 Day. During the placebo week (the 7 orange pills), Lamotrigine levels can spike, so dose adjustments may be needed.
Oral contraceptives can increase thyroid-binding proteins, which may mean you need a higher dose of thyroid medication (like Levothyroxine/Synthroid). Your thyroid levels should be rechecked after starting Turqoz 28 Day.
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), an immunosuppressant, may have increased blood levels when taken with oral contraceptives. Your doctor should monitor Cyclosporine levels.
Theophylline, used for asthma and COPD, may have increased blood levels when taken with Turqoz 28 Day. Theophylline toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, and irregular heartbeat, so monitoring is important.
Grapefruit juice may slightly increase Ethinyl Estradiol levels by slowing its breakdown in your body. This isn't dangerous for most women but could slightly increase estrogen-related side effects like nausea or breast tenderness. You don't need to avoid grapefruit entirely, but if you notice increased side effects, consider cutting back.
Alcohol does not directly interact with Turqoz 28 Day. However, heavy drinking can lead to vomiting, which could prevent the pill from being absorbed. If you vomit within 2 hours of taking your pill, treat it as a missed dose.
Before starting Turqoz 28 Day — and every time you start a new medication — make sure your doctor and pharmacist know you're on it. Here's a checklist:
Your pharmacist is also an excellent resource. They can run an interaction check every time you fill a new prescription.
Drug interactions with Turqoz 28 Day can reduce your birth control's effectiveness or cause problems with other medications you take. The most important ones to avoid are Hepatitis C drugs (Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir), Rifampin, St. John's Wort, and certain seizure medications.
Always keep your healthcare providers informed about every medication and supplement you take. For more about Turqoz 28 Day, explore our guides on side effects, uses and dosage, and how to save money on your prescription.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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