From the Guidelines
There is currently no direct evidence suggesting that Mounjaro (tirzepatide) reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) 1. However, it's essential to consider the potential indirect effects of Mounjaro on OCP efficacy.
- Gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea associated with Mounjaro could potentially interfere with OCP absorption if vomiting occurs within 3-4 hours of taking the pill or if severe diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours.
- Weight loss, a common effect of Mounjaro, does not directly reduce OCP effectiveness, but significant weight changes may affect the pharmacokinetics of some medications. The provided evidence primarily discusses the interaction between ulipristal acetate (UPA) and hormonal contraceptives, which may not be directly applicable to Mounjaro and OCPs 1.
- A systematic review identified four studies that assessed contraceptive effectiveness when UPA and regular hormonal contraception were taken at approximately the same time, but the results were inconsistent and the certainty of evidence was very low to moderate 1. Given the lack of direct evidence on the interaction between Mounjaro and OCPs, it is recommended to use a backup contraception method if you experience severe gastrointestinal side effects while taking Mounjaro and OCPs simultaneously 1.
- Consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice on managing potential interactions between Mounjaro and OCPs, as they can evaluate your individual circumstances and medication regimen.
From the FDA Drug Label
Contraception 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)].
- 2 Oral Medications MOUNJARO delays gastric emptying, and thereby has the potential to impact the absorption of concomitantly administered oral medications. ... 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.
Yes, oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) can be less effective when taking Mounjaro (tirzepatide) because Mounjaro delays gastric emptying, which may impact the absorption of oral medications, including oral hormonal contraceptives 2. It is recommended that patients using oral hormonal contraceptives 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.
From the Research
Effect of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) on Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs)
- There are no research papers provided that directly assess the interaction between Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) to determine if OCPs are less effective when taking Mounjaro.
- The provided studies discuss the use of OCPs in various contexts, such as in women with diabetes 3, Crohn's disease 4, and other medical conditions 5, 6, as well as their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy 4, 5, 6 and their use in IVF/ICSI cycles 7.
- However, none of these studies mention Mounjaro (tirzepatide) or its potential impact on the effectiveness of OCPs.
- Therefore, there is no evidence available from the provided studies to answer the question of whether OCPs are less effective when taking Mounjaro (tirzepatide) 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.