Drug

Estradiol Acetate

Common brand names:

Femring

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods

  • Negative Interactions

    5
    • Estradiol

      Grapefruit

      Potential Negative Interaction

      In a small, controlled study of women with surgically removed ovaries, estradiol levels in the blood were significantly higher after estradiol was taken with grapefruit juice than when estradiol was taken alone. These results have been independently confirmed, suggesting that women taking oral estradiol should probably avoid grapefruit altogether.

      Grapefruit
      Estradiol
      ×
      1. Schubert W, Cullberg G, Edgar B, Hedner T. Inhibition of 17 beta-estradiol metabolism by grapefruit juice in ovariectomized women. Maturitas 1994;20:155-63.
      2. Weber A, Jager R, Borner A, et al. Can grapefruit juice influence ethinylestradiol bioavailability? Contraception 1996;53:41-7.
    • Estradiol

      Pomegranate

      Potential Negative Interaction

      Pomegranate juice has been shown to inhibit the same enzyme that is inhibited by grapefruit juice. The degree of inhibition is about the same for each of these juices. Therefore, it would be reasonable to expect that pomegranate juice might interact with estradiol in the same way that grapefruit juice does.

      Pomegranate
      Estradiol
      ×
      1. Sorokin AV, Duncan B, Panetta R, Thompson PD. Rhabdomyolysis associated with pomegranate juice consumption. Am J Cardiol 2006;98:705-6.
      2. Summers KM. Potential drug-food interactions with pomegranate juice. Ann Pharmacother 2006;40:1472-3.
    • Estradiol

      Quercetin

      Potential Negative Interaction

      Studies have shown that grapefruit juice significantly increases estradiol levels in the blood. One of the flavonoids found in grapefruit juice is quercetin. In a test tube study, quercetin was found to change estrogen metabolism in human liver cells in a way that increases estradiol levels and reduces other forms of estrogen. This effect is likely to increase estrogen activity in the body. However, the levels of quercetin used to alter estrogen metabolism in the test tube were much higher than levels found in the body after supplementing with quercetin.

      There is evidence from test tube studies that another flavonoid in grapefruit juice, naringenin, also has estrogenic activity. It has yet to be shown that dietary or supplemental levels of quercetin (or naringenin) could create a significant problem.

      Quercetin
      Estradiol
      ×
      1. Schubert W, Cullberg G, Edgar B, Hedner T. Inhibition of 17 beta-estradiol metabolism by grapefruit juice in ovariectomized women. Maturitas 1994;20:155-63.
      2. Weber A, Jager R, Borner A, et al. Can grapefruit juice influence ethinylestradiol bioavailability? Contraception 1996;53:41-7.
      3. Schubert W, Eriksson U, Edgar B, et al. Flavonoids in grapefruit juice inhibit the in vitro hepatic metabolism of 17 beta-estradiol. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 1995;3:219-24.
      4. Kuiper GG, Lemmen JG, Carlsson B, et al. Interaction of estrogenic chemicals and phytoestrogens with estrogen receptor beta. Endocrinology 1998;139:4252-63.
    • Estradiol Acetate

      Zinc

      Potential Negative Interaction

      This interaction is based on this drug belonging to a drug class. While this drug may differ from the text and references below, drugs within this class work in a similar way and this interaction is applicable to drugs within the same class.

      In a group of 37 postmenopausal women treated with conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone for 12 months, urinary zinc and magnesium loss was reduced in those women who began the study with signs of osteoporosis and elevated zinc and magnesium excretion. The clinical significance of this interaction remains unclear.

      Zinc
      Estradiol Acetate
      ×
      1. Herzberg M, Lusky A, Blonder J, Frenkel. The effect of estrogen replacement therapy on zinc in serum and urine. Obstet Gynecol 1996;87:1035-40.
    • Estradiol

      Zinc

      Potential Negative Interaction

      This interaction is based on this drug belonging to a drug class. While this drug may differ from the text and references below, drugs within this class work in a similar way and this interaction is applicable to drugs within the same class.

      In a group of 37 postmenopausal women treated with conjugated estrogens and medroxyprogesterone for 12 months, urinary zinc and magnesium loss was reduced in those women who began the study with signs of osteoporosis and elevated zinc and magnesium excretion. The clinical significance of this interaction remains unclear.

      Zinc
      Estradiol
      ×
      1. Herzberg M, Lusky A, Blonder J, Frenkel. The effect of estrogen replacement therapy on zinc in serum and urine. Obstet Gynecol 1996;87:1035-40.
  • Supportive Interactions

    1
    • Estradiol

      Vitamin D

      Support Medicine

      In controlled studies, the addition of 300 IU per day of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) did not improve the bone-preserving or fracture-preventing effects of hormone replacement with estradiol plus a progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone) in postmenopausal women without osteoporosis. However, in a controlled study of osteoporotic women, only those receiving both hormone replacement and vitamin D had increases in bone density of the hip; no improvement occurred in the hip with hormones alone. More research is needed to determine conclusively when vitamin D is important to add to hormone replacement.

      Vitamin D
      Estradiol
      ×
      1. Komulainen M, Kroger H, Tuppurainen MT, et al. Prevention of femoral and lumbar bone loss with hormone replacement therapy and vitamin D3 in early postmenopausal women: a population-based 5-year randomized trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1999;84:546-52.
      2. Komulainen MH, Kroger H, Tuppurainen MT, et al. HRT and Vit D in prevention of non-vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women; a 5 year randomized trial. Maturitas 1998;31:45-54.
      3. Tuppurainen MT, Komulainen M, Kroger H, et al. Does vitamin D strengthen the increase in femoral neck BMD in osteoporotic women treated with estrogen? Osteoporos Int 1998;8:32-8.
The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers’ package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

Copyright © 2025 TraceGains, Inc. All rights reserved.

RxAnswers™ is a copyrighted product from TraceGains.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

There are some limitations on the information provided in “Nutrient Interactions.” Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article. Please read the disclaimer.

Learn more about TraceGains, the company.

Learn more about the authors of RxAnswers.

TraceGains and/or its suppliers make no warranties or representations as to the accuracy or completeness of this content herein or that of any organization referred or linked to within this content and will not be liable for any damages arising out of your access to or use of any information found herein or that of any organization referred to within this content.

Information expires December 2025.