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Re: SSRI and Birth Control -- 2hr search

Posted by Cam W. on May 22, 2000, at 11:03:29

In reply to Re: SSRI and Birth Control -- here's one link!, posted by Mommy to an Angel! on May 21, 2000, at 16:26:02


Angel's Mommy - My wife, being a public health nurse (aka baby stabber - 'innoculator') was very interested in your query.

I checked your link, as well as the CPS (Canadian PDR), PubMed, Google, Metacrawler, About, and DaveFlockhart's Drug Table.
I used inquiries like 'SSRIs and birth control pills', 'serotonin reuptake inhibitors and estradiol', 'SSRIs and the Pill', 'selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and oral contraceptives' 'antidepressants and birthcontrol pills' and various combinations thereof.

The link you gave me had 2 comments. One by Dean Edell (Dr. of T.V. newscasts) and the other by Joe Graedon (The People's Pharmacy). Both said, in an offhand manner, that St.John's Wort decreased the effectiveness of birth control pills. This could be due to a compound in the plant, unrelated to SJW's antidepressant action.

If anything, some SSRIs may potentially increase the effect (and side effects) of BCPs. Ethinylestradiol (EED) is one of the main components of the Pill and it is partialy metabolized by the liver's cytochrome system (CYP-3A3/4). Serzone, Luvox and perhaps Prozac (to a much lesser extent Zoloft) inhibit the production of CYP-3A3/4 enzymes. With less enzyme available, the metabolism of EED may be slowed (It depends on many factors, such as other metabolic pathways of EED, the dose of EED in the particular Pill, the dose of the SSRI, etc.). Slowed EED metabolism may raise EED concentrations in the body, affording greater protection against pregnancy.

(See what my wife makes me do!)

What you heard could have been a mistake by the person who said it. If anyone can find a case report or clinical study of SSRIs causing decreased BCP efficacy, I (actually, me wife) would be greatly appreciative.

Hope this helps - Cam


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poster:Cam W. thread:34019
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