From the FDA Drug Label
Birth control pills by mouth may not work as well while using MOUNJARO If you take birth control pills by mouth, your healthcare provider may recommend another type of birth control for 4 weeks after you start MOUNJARO and for 4 weeks after each increase in your dose of MOUNJARO. 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
Mounjaro Interactions with Birth Control: Mounjaro may interact with birth control pills, reducing their efficacy. Patients using oral hormonal contraceptives should consider switching to a non-oral method or adding a barrier method for 4 weeks after starting Mounjaro and after each dose increase. 1 1
From the Research
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) may have a significant interaction with oral hormonal contraceptives, potentially reducing their absorption, but the impact on other forms of hormonal birth control like patches, rings, implants, or hormonal IUDs is less clear. When considering the use of Mounjaro alongside birth control, it's essential to understand the mechanisms of both. Mounjaro is a GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist that affects insulin secretion, glucose metabolism, and appetite regulation, while hormonal contraceptives work through different mechanisms involving reproductive hormones.
- The primary concern with combining Mounjaro and oral hormonal contraceptives is the potential for reduced absorption of the contraceptive due to the delayed gastric emptying effect of Mounjaro, as suggested by a study published in 2024 2.
- However, for other forms of hormonal birth control such as patches, rings, implants, or hormonal IUDs, the interaction with Mounjaro is not as significant since their absorption is not primarily gastrointestinal.
- It's crucial for patients to inform their healthcare providers about all medications, including birth control, when starting Mounjaro to evaluate the specific situation and consider any necessary adjustments or backup contraception methods.
- The most recent and highest quality study on this topic, published in 2024 2, indicates a need for enhanced provider and patient education regarding the management of this interaction, suggesting that tirzepatide may have a greater impact on the absorption of oral hormonal contraceptives compared to other GLP-1 receptor agonists.