Which herbal preparation reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives?

Study for the COTAC Test 2. Prepare using tailored questions, flashcards with hints, and detailed explanations. Pass your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

Which herbal preparation reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives?

Explanation:
Herb-drug interactions can change how a medication works by altering its processing in the body. St. John’s wort is known to induce liver enzymes, especially CYP3A4, which speeds up the metabolism of hormones in oral contraceptives. When these hormones are cleared faster, their blood levels drop and the contraceptive becomes less effective, increasing the risk of pregnancy. This enzyme-inducing effect is the reason St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. The other herbs listed don’t have the same reliable enzyme-inducing impact on OC metabolism, so they’re not associated with a meaningful decrease in contraceptive effectiveness.

Herb-drug interactions can change how a medication works by altering its processing in the body. St. John’s wort is known to induce liver enzymes, especially CYP3A4, which speeds up the metabolism of hormones in oral contraceptives. When these hormones are cleared faster, their blood levels drop and the contraceptive becomes less effective, increasing the risk of pregnancy. This enzyme-inducing effect is the reason St. John’s wort can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. The other herbs listed don’t have the same reliable enzyme-inducing impact on OC metabolism, so they’re not associated with a meaningful decrease in contraceptive effectiveness.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy