atorvastatin vs ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone

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 atorvastatin and ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone. 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

7.2 Increase i n Plasma Levels of Ethinyl Estradiol Associated with Co-Administered Drugs Co-administration of atorvastatin and certain COCs containing ethinyl estradiol increase AUC values for ethinyl estradiol by approximately 20 percent.

Drug Class
atorvastatin HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin)
ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone Combined Oral Contraceptive
Type
atorvastatin Prescription
ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone Prescription
Summary
atorvastatin

Atorvastatin is a drug that lowers cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart problems and stroke. It belongs to a class of drugs called statins.

ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone

Lo Loestrin Fe is a birth control pill. It helps prevent pregnancy in women.

What It Treats
atorvastatin

Atorvastatin is used to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides in your blood. It can help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and the need for heart procedures in adults with heart disease or risk factors for it. It is also used in children 10 years and older with certain inherited cholesterol problems.

ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone

Lo Loestrin Fe is used to prevent pregnancy. It contains two hormones, a progestin and an estrogen. It works by preventing the release of an egg from your ovary.

How It Works
atorvastatin

Atorvastatin works by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol. This helps to lower the amount of cholesterol in your blood. Lowering cholesterol can help prevent heart disease.

ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone

Lo Loestrin Fe contains two hormones: norethindrone acetate 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
atorvastatin
  • Common cold symptoms
  • Joint pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Pain in arms or legs
  • Urinary tract infection
ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache
  • Irregular bleeding
  • Painful periods
  • Weight changes
FAERS Reports
atorvastatin
  • Fatigue 13,812
  • Nausea 12,425
  • Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus 11,244
  • Diarrhoea 11,037
  • Dyspnoea 11,029
ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone

No adverse event reports.

Serious Warnings
atorvastatin

Atorvastatin can cause muscle problems, including muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness. In rare cases, this can lead to serious kidney damage. Tell your doctor right away if you have unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness, especially if you also have a fever or feel sick. Atorvastatin can also cause liver problems. Your doctor may do blood tests to check your liver before you start taking atorvastatin and while you are taking it.

ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone

Cigarette smoking increases your risk of serious heart problems from birth control pills. This risk is higher if you are over 35 and smoke. Women over 35 who smoke should not use Lo Loestrin Fe.

Pregnancy
atorvastatin

Atorvastatin can harm an unborn baby. You should not take atorvastatin if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is also not recommended to breastfeed while taking atorvastatin.

ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone

Do not use Lo Loestrin Fe if you are pregnant. It can also reduce milk production while breastfeeding, so other birth control options are recommended.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This atorvastatin vs ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone Comparison

atorvastatin is classified in the HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin) drug class, while ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone 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, atorvastatin has 59,547 submissions while ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone 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 atorvastatin increases the amount of birth control hormone that stays in your blood. this happens because the statin changes how the body processes the hormone.. 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 atorvastatin or ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone.

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