St John's Wort effects???

Question

Does anybody know if St John's Wort can reduce the effectiveness of contraceptive pills? Thanks everyone x

P.S the contraceptive I am on is the progesterone only injection x

Answer 1

yes i have read that they can

Answer 2

Yes, they do reduce the effect of contraceptive pills. I am not sure about the injection however and you should discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist.

Answer 3

Antibiotics and other drugs like St Johns Wart can prevent the pill from working.

Answer 4

I would err on the side of caution as they say not to take them if you are pregnat do there must be something that could reduce the effectiveness of the Pill.

The following I have copied from Boots the chemist website.

I't a bit long winded but worth reading>

For women taking a 21 day combined oral contraceptive:
If you have sexual intercourse during the time you are taking the antibiotic or during the 7 days afterwards you should use another method of contraception in addition to taking your pill.

If this period of time takes you beyond the end of a packet of pills you should start your next packet of pills straight away without the usual 7 day break. This may mean you do not bleed until the end of the next packet and this is OK.

For women taking an Every Day (ED) combined oral contraceptive pill:
If you have sexual intercourse during the time you are taking the antibiotic or during the 7 days afterwards you should use another method of contraception in addition to taking your pill.

If this period of time takes you into the 7 days when you take inactive pills, you should miss out the 7 inactive pills and start your next packet of pills straight away. This may mean you miss having your usual bleed for this cycle and this is OK.

For women taking the progesterone only or mini pill:
This kind of pill is not affected by most courses of antibiotic and no extra precautions are necessary. However there are other prescribed medicines which do affect this type of pill.

It is always best to tell the pharmacist you are taking an oral contraceptive pill when you have a prescription for any new medicine dispensed.

The patient information leaflet supplied with your pills should give you guidance and if you are still unclear please speak to your local pharmacist for more help.




Can taking antihistamine tablets interfere with my oral contraceptive pill?

I am not aware of any interactions between the oral contraceptive pill and any of the antihistamines that can be bought over the counter or prescribed by a doctor. So it is OK to take these two medicines together.
However it is always important to mention to the pharmacist that you are taking the contraceptive pill when having a prescription dispensed or if you purchase any medicines, herbal products or food supplements.




I have been told I should not take medicines containing ibuprofen because of my asthma. Is this true?

Some asthmatics find that taking ibuprofen affects their asthma symptoms making them worse. But where a person who suffers from asthma has taken ibuprofen before without any problems it is OK for them to continue taking it.
Some other medicines that can be purchased over the counter are unsuitable for people who suffer from asthma. To ensure everything you buy is appropriate for you please ask your local pharmacist for advice and help at the time of purchase.

As with all medicines the label and product information should be read carefully before use and the directions followed.




Are there any contraindications to taking homoeopathic remedies i.e. circumstances where homoeopathic remedies are unsuitable?

Homoeopathic medicine is used extensively throughout the world because it is so safe and works in such a gentle way producing no side effects. It can be used for all age groups and when necessary can be taken at the same time as conventional medicine.
Anyone already taking conventional medicine should discuss the possibility of using homoeopathic remedies with their doctor before taking anything.

Some homoeopathic remedies contain small amounts of lactose and so would not be suitable for anyone with lactose intolerance.




Can I take St John's Wort as well as a one a day multivitamin supplement?

St John's Wort medicines are sold as unlicensed herbal remedies in this country. This means they have not been through the process whereby scientific evidence proving safety and effectiveness is presented to the UK Medicines Control Agency so a licence can be granted allowing medical claims to be made.
It is also one of the reasons information about possible interactions between St John's Wort and other medicines is very limited.

There aren't any documented interactions between St John's Wort and multivitamins, but interactions between St John's Wort and other drugs can occur and it is important you continue to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any other medicines.

When taking herbal remedies the following precautions are necessary:


Always read the label and follow the instructions carefully.
Herbal products have powerful therapeutic effects, they can be harmful or produce side-effects if misused.
If you think the remedy you are taking is causing side effects, stop taking it and consult your GP.
Check with your GP if you have a medical condition, you are taking other medication or may be pregnant or breastfeeding.
Keep herbal remedies tightly closed in their original containers they will last until the expiry date clearly shown on the label.




I have heard that taking St John's Wort can affect other medicines. Is this true?

Yes, care is needed when combining the herbal remedy St John's Wort with other medicines. This is because St John's Wort can affect the way a lot of other medicines work. Anyone who is taking a prescribed medicine should seek advice from their doctor or pharmacist before taking St John's Wort.
When taking herbal remedies the following precautions are necessary:


Always read the label and follow the instructions carefully.
Herbal products have powerful therapeutic effects, they can be harmful or produce side-effects if misused.
If you think the remedy you are taking is causing side effects, stop taking it and consult your GP.
Check with your GP if you have a medical condition, you are taking other medication or may be pregnant or breastfeeding.
Consult your GP if your child is under 5 years old.
Keep herbal remedies tightly closed in their original containers they will last until the expiry date clearly shown on the label.




Do St John's Wort tablets affect the reliability of the contraceptive pill?

It is important not take a St. John's Wort preparation if you are taking the contraceptive pill. This is because the St. John's Wort may stop the pill from working and you therefore wouldn't get the contraceptive cover that you would normally expect.
It is always important to mention to the pharmacist that you are taking the contraceptive pill if you purchase any medicines. This would include herbal preparations over the counter or any medicines prescribed by the doctor. Some prescription only medicines, for example some antibiotics, may also stop the pill from working.

Answer 5

yes got advised from my gp that it can neutralsie the affects of the pill

Answer 6

i`m sure they`ll know in the shop that sell it .