Taking it with other medicines - Oestrogen tablets, patches, gel and spray

There are some medicines that may affect how oestrogen works. Oestrogen can also affect how some medicines work.

Tell your GP or pharmacist if you're taking:

• medicines for epilepsy, such as phenytoin, carbamazepine or phenobarbital
• certain medicines for infections, such as rifampicin, rifabutin, nevirapine, efavirenz, ritonavir, nelfinavir, erythromycin or ketoconazole
• medicines used to prevent transplant rejection, such as tacrolimus and ciclosporin
• painkillers such as fentanyl
• theophylline (used to treat asthma)

Oestrogen and herbal remedies

St John's wort may stop oestrogen from working as well.

It's not possible to say that other herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with oestrogen. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy or prescription medicines.

Any herbal product may affect other medicines you're taking, so it's important to check with your GP or pharmacist before starting to take them.

Alternatives to HRT

Medicine safety

Tell your GP or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.