From the FDA Drug Label
MOUNJARO delays gastric emptying and has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications. (7.2) Use of MOUNJARO may reduce the efficacy of oral hormonal contraceptives. Advise patients using oral hormonal contraceptives to switch to a non-oral contraceptive method, or add a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after initiation and for 4 weeks after each dose escalation with MOUNJARO [see Drug Interactions (7.2), Use in Specific Populations (8. 3), and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
There is no direct information about ashwagandha interacting with Mounjaro or birth control in the provided drug labels. However, it is mentioned that Mounjaro may reduce the efficacy of oral hormonal contraceptives due to its effect on gastric emptying.
- Mounjaro and birth control: Patients using oral hormonal contraceptives should switch to a non-oral contraceptive method or add a barrier method of contraception for 4 weeks after initiation and for 4 weeks after each dose escalation with Mounjaro.
- Ashwagandha: There is no information available in the provided drug labels about ashwagandha interacting with Mounjaro or birth control. 1 1 1
From the Research
Ashwagandha may potentially interact with both Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and hormonal birth control, so caution is advised. While there are no well-documented direct interactions between ashwagandha and Mounjaro specifically, ashwagandha can affect blood sugar levels, which could theoretically interfere with Mounjaro's glucose-lowering effects 2. Regarding birth control, ashwagandha may potentially reduce effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives because it can influence hormone levels and may affect liver enzymes that metabolize medications 3.
Some key points to consider:
- Ashwagandha's adaptogenic properties can affect stress hormones and potentially insulin sensitivity, which may impact Mounjaro's efficacy 4
- Ashwagandha's mild effects on liver enzymes could alter how your body processes medications, including hormonal birth control 5
- Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, has been shown to have a positive effect on glycemic control and weight management, but its interaction with ashwagandha is not well-studied 6
If you're taking Mounjaro for diabetes or weight management, or using hormonal birth control, it's best to consult with your healthcare provider before adding ashwagandha to your regimen. The concern stems from ashwagandha's potential to interact with these medications, and medical supervision is the safest approach when combining these substances. Until more research is available on these specific interactions, caution is advised to minimize potential risks to morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.