atorvastatin vs ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate

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Side-by-side comparison of atorvastatin 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

Substances increasing the systemic exposure of COCs: Co-administration of atorvastatin or rosuvastatin and certain COCs containing ethinyl estradiol (EE) increase AUC values for EE by approximately 20 to 25%.

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

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

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/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
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/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
atorvastatin
  • Common cold symptoms
  • Joint pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Pain in arms or legs
  • Urinary tract infection
ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate
  • Headache
  • Heavier menstrual bleeding
  • Nausea
  • Painful periods
  • Acne
FAERS Reports
atorvastatin
  • Fatigue 13,812
  • Nausea 12,425
  • Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus 11,244
  • Diarrhoea 11,037
  • Dyspnoea 11,029
ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate

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/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
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/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 atorvastatin vs ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate Comparison

atorvastatin is classified in the HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitor (Statin) 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, atorvastatin has 59,547 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 atorvastatin increases the amount of birth control hormone in your blood by changing how your body handles the medicine.. 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/norgestimate.

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