aprepitant vs ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate

PlainMeds reviewed this comparison against our methodology in August 2026. It places FDA and CMS record fields side by side, without recommending either medication.

Side-by-side comparison of aprepitant and ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Examples Aprepitant, barbiturates, bosentan, carbamazepine, efavirenz, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, rifabutin, rufinamide, topiramate, products containing St.

Drug Class
aprepitant NK1 Receptor Antagonist (Antiemetic)
ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate Combined Oral Contraceptive
Type
aprepitant Prescription
ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate Prescription
Summary
aprepitant

Aprepitant (Emend) is a medicine that helps prevent nausea and vomiting. It belongs to a class of drugs called NK1 receptor antagonists.

ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate

Iclevia is a birth control pill. It contains two hormones, levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, to prevent pregnancy.

What It Treats
aprepitant

Aprepitant is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. It can be used for both strong and moderate chemotherapy treatments. It is also used to prevent nausea and vomiting after surgery in adults.

ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate

Iclevia is used by women who can get pregnant to prevent pregnancy. It contains two hormones, a progestin and an estrogen. These hormones work together to prevent ovulation and change the lining of the uterus.

How It Works
aprepitant

Aprepitant blocks a substance in your body called substance P. Substance P can trigger nausea and vomiting. By blocking it, aprepitant helps reduce these side effects.

ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate

Iclevia contains two hormones: levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol. These hormones prevent ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). They also change the lining of the uterus, making it harder for a fertilized egg to implant.

Common Side Effects
aprepitant
  • Tiredness
  • Diarrhea
  • Weakness
  • Upset stomach
  • Stomach pain
ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate
  • Headache
  • Heavier menstrual bleeding
  • Nausea
  • Painful periods
  • Acne
FAERS Reports
aprepitant
  • Nausea 2,145
  • Fatigue 1,769
  • Pyrexia 1,589
  • Diarrhoea 1,542
  • Dyspnoea 1,508
ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate

No adverse event reports.

Serious Warnings
aprepitant

Aprepitant can interact with other medicines. It can affect how well warfarin (a blood thinner) and hormonal birth control work. If you take warfarin, your doctor will check your blood. If you use hormonal birth control, use a backup method while taking aprepitant and for 28 days after your last dose.

ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate

Cigarette smoking increases your risk of serious heart problems from birth control pills. This risk is higher if you are over 35 and smoke more cigarettes. If you are over 35 and smoke, you should not take Iclevia.

Pregnancy
aprepitant

There is not enough information about the safety of aprepitant during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if aprepitant passes into breast milk, so discuss breastfeeding with your doctor.

ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate

Do not use Iclevia if you are pregnant. Iclevia can reduce milk production while breastfeeding, so another form of birth control is recommended. Talk to your doctor about the best option for you.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This aprepitant vs ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate Comparison

aprepitant is classified in the NK1 Receptor Antagonist (Antiemetic) drug class, while ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate sits within the Combined Oral Contraceptive class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, aprepitant has 8,553 submissions while ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate has 0. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to aprepitant causes your body to break down birth control hormones faster than usual. this can lower the amount of medicine in your blood and make it less effective at preventing pregnancy.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for aprepitant or ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.